alternate square tubing sizes

[jravionics]

Just got the meridian plans and looked around in the shop and I have some 2x1 rectangular and was wondering,,,,,,,,is there a post or some table that have some alternate sizes.

Looking forward to the build once I get the tubing thing figured out.

thanks

Jim

[jimFPU]

Jim, look around the site, I'm sure you'll find that you can hack just abotut anything you like...we Zombies like alternate ideas anyway!!

Welcome!

[Patrike]

2x1 will give you the same up/down strength if the same wall thickness as in the plans = 1/16" I believe. If your your a bigger dude above the 220lb mark then you may want to consider a 1/8" wall . The 1' should be more then enough for any side loading if there is any on the meridian -- I was thinking of doing my frame in 3x1 if I ever got around to making one but I am 190lbs working at being 1801lbs soon and maybe 17olbs by end of summer so 1x2 would be fine for me but I have some larger friends that would want to try it out and I think I would have to say no to them if I went with the 1x2. Of course there will have to be some alterations to the plans to account for the 1" thinckness but I don't see a problem. Maybe I will purchase the meridian plans just to have a look at the details. I will be putting a Recycled Recumbent style seat on it as I really like the comfort -- http://www.recycledrecumbent.com/index.html.

Good luck on the build :rockon:

[Danner]

I checked the steel tables in the handbook, and with a few calculations: 2x1x.065 has a section modulus about 12% greater than 1.5 square. So 2x1 is actually stronger in vertical loading, and has the same weight per foot. There may be other considerations, but I wouldn't be afraid to give it a try.

[Patrike]

I checked the steel tables in the handbook, and with a few calculations: 2x1x.065 has a section modulus about 12% greater than 1.5 square. So 2x1 is actually stronger in vertical loading, and has the same weight per foot. There may be other considerations, but I wouldn't be afraid to give it a try.

How interesting - better vertical load -- maybe I will go back to 2x1 for my Meridian.

[Danner]

There's one drawback to 1" wide tube - header tubes are wider. So you need a work-around for pokin the steering tube through the boom for USS. You can appreciate that, Patrick, having progressed to that point on your KC.

[Patrike]

There's one drawback to 1" wide tube - header tubes are wider. So you need a work-around for pokin the steering tube through the boom for USS. You can appreciate that, Patrick, having progressed to that point on your KC.

Yah -- I would surfice mount if I go the way of USS, would have to make a shortened head tube for that for sure. I as thinking of keeping as per plan for the steering - I have a headtube ready to go for that - time will tell.

[TheKid]

You could just mount a steerer tube under the boom, like the WildKat:

http://atomiczombie.com/product-wildkat.htm

There are ways other ways to mount USS that can be found in some of Tim Smith's articles. If I'm not mistaken, Savarin and John Lewis also posted alternate USS methods in these forums.
You could also use OSS, without using a standard head tube. I'll look for the drawings and post.

[Danner]

Once again, thanks TK! I was not familiar with the WildCat plan since I've focused on trikes and quads. It seems obvious now, but I had not considered an entirely under-boom steering assembly. I'll also look for contributions from Savarin and John Lewis on this topic. I don't know about Tim Smith articles, what else can you tell us?

[TheKid]

Some good info here:

http://www.ihpva.org/Projects/tstrike/home.htm

And the home page:

http://www.ihpva.org

[Patrike]

You could just mount a steerer tube under the boom, like the WildKat:

http://atomiczombie.com/product-wildkat.htm

There are ways other ways to mount USS that can be found in some of Tim Smith's articles. If I'm not mistaken, Savarin and John Lewis also posted alternate USS methods in these forums.
You could also use OSS, without using a standard head tube. I'll look for the drawings and post.

I like that USS method of the WK but I definately don't like the handle bars - looks too low for good control and long ride comfort IMHO and least to my liking. I like to have my arms more up and bent. I would make my style handle bars -- thanks for the pointer. I found Tim's page -- he's big on those wheel chair motors but I did not see build details for the USS.
http://www.evalbum.com/577

[Patrike]

You could just mount a steerer tube under the boom, like the WildKat:

http://atomiczombie.com/product-wildkat.htm

There are ways other ways to mount USS that can be found in some of Tim Smith's articles. If I'm not mistaken, Savarin and John Lewis also posted alternate USS methods in these forums.
You could also use OSS, without using a standard head tube. I'll look for the drawings and post.

I like that USS method of the WK but I definately don't like the handle bars - looks too low for good control and long ride comfort IMHO and least to my liking. I like to have my arms more up and bent. I would make my style handle bars -- thanks for the pointer. I found Tim's page -- he's big on those wheel chair motors but I did not see build details for the USS.
http://www.evalbum.com/577

[TheKid]

I like that USS method of the WK but I definately don't like the handle bars

Yes. I like my bars higher too, which is why I made mine to come up to a comfy position. I think Locutus did the same with this type of USS.

[Danner]

Agree, but I don't think you'd want high-rise handle bars on a 2-wheeler like WildKat. Kind of complicates any quick exit!