Stress

[gphil]

Noticed:builder2: a talk about the stress in the frame resulting in breaks. First I would think that if the weld is good and solid it would hold with the weight being spread out along the rear axel and so on. Now I am not an engineer and sure don't know welding well. Since I am in the process of welding up my frame would it be a good time to go ahead and strengthen the areas around the weld now? Just do not want a failure later on down the road. My welds are sollid and look real good. Just a question and looking for pro answeres. So there ya go. Take care guys. gphil

[trikeman]

gp - can you be a bit more specific about where you want to beef up? What frame are you welding. A good wire weld is generally as strong if not stronger than the mild steel you put it on.

[gphil]

I read on this site that a trike failed on the rear , I guess where the axel are and assumeing it was the welded part that holds the brake bearing. Not the main tube connection but the inside one not 45 on the ends. I could have read it incorrectly. If one needs to beef up that area now would be a good time for me to do just that. I do agree with you that a good wire weld should hold fine. I just did not want to have trouble later on. I will go back and see who wrote that . Don't mean to be a problem.
gphil

[gphil]

Ok the article was "stress points' by The Kid. I am building a DeltaRunner also and that is what I was refering to. I was guessing the failure came at the rear wheel areas and those welds on the frame. gp

[TheKid]

The weld that broke was the main boom and rear crossmember joint. A couple of struts fixed it just fine. I'll post a pic of the struts tomorrow.

[TheKid]

Here's a pic of the struts to support the rear.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z66/edpol_photos/100_0221Small.jpg

[SirJoey]

Kid, I just love the clever & creative stuff you come up with! :)


http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/7131/sirjoeysigmedij1.gif

[gphil]

Thanks guys for the advice on the stress points and the possible fix. I also noticed the (nut) as a spacer between the wheel and the frame. In the plans it seemed to me that the wheel would be a little close to the frame and I was intending to put a spacer of some sort there. Man those bearings are expensive. Sixteen dollars each so far in my search. Is there a web site one can order from? Keep building gphil

[TheKid]

I added the nut to make the track a little wider. If I ever make another delta with a center of gravity this high, I'll make the rear at least 4" wider. Some turns feel a little like the trike wants to tip over. I weigh 250, so a wider track is very helpful with a high CoG trike. The Big Bearing Store has cheaper bearings, but a few guys, like Joey, had some problems with them. Her's a couple of bearing links:

http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-66/5-fdsh-8%22-Pressed-Steel-Pillow/Detail

http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-65/3-fdsh-4%22-Pressed-Steel-Pillow/Detail

http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-6/3-fdsh-4%22-Pillow-Block-Bearing/Detail

http://www.thebigbearingstore.com/servlet/the-4/5-fdsh-8%22-Pillow-Block-Bearing/Detail

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/kit923

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit7583

[gphil]

Thanks for the info on the bearings. The hefty ones that can be lubed look better. Watcha think Joey? If you happen to be reading this. Once more thanks. More to come. gphil