The Shootist
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 posted on 13/8/04 at 03:47 PM |
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Fabric side panels?
I've been looking at "Locost" methods to build the lightest reasonable chassis for a BEC build.
A few years ago I was interested in "Homebuilt" aircraft and heatshink fabric is often used in their construction.
Has anyone considered using Dacron, or Ceconite, glued to the upper and lower rails, and the diagonal/vertical members to take the place of ally side
pannels.
The fabric would be glued in place, heatshunk to a "Drumhead" tension, then painted with a "plastisized" finish to fill the
pors in the fabric and give a "smooth as glass" appearance.
Cost of the fabric is less than $10 US per yard of 70" width fabric. 3.7 ounces per square yard.
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blueshift
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 03:55 PM |
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I know nothing about this stuff but wouldn't it be rather fragile? prone to holes from stones, clod-footed passengers, etc?
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The Shootist
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 04:04 PM |
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Pretty strong actually...
Dacron and Ceconite have tensil strengths of 70 and 130 psi respectively.
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 05:05 PM |
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10 out of 10 for the mans thinkings
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dblissett
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 08:54 PM |
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nice idea
nice idea my only concern would be at the front just before the botom whisbones the alli pannels dont fit flush with the chassis the panell sticks off
the bottom rails by a couple of inches if you can get round this problem you could be on to somthing
good luck dave
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 09:03 PM |
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i like the idea too, will follow with interest.
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JoelP
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 09:22 PM |
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i was thinking of wrapping carpet tape around various chassis members to fill holes and save weight (effort really, not weight, but thats just
me...)
i think the SVA man wouldnt be impressed by taped panels, but these other things you are on abotu might go down well.
my main argument with myself was that my panels are fully welded at the min, and so add something to the strength too.
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heinlein
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| posted on 13/8/04 at 09:57 PM |
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Aircraft coverings
Great idea; I wish I had thought of it.
Back in 2001 I sent for a catalog from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co.; it's almost 600 pages and full of interesting stuff. At that time
they had a book "How to cover an aircraft using the poly-fiber system" it goes on to descibe it as a whole covering course in a
spiral-bound book, 135 pages of clear, non-jargon, step-by-step instruction. P/N 09-06000 $10
They also had a 2 hour VHS video called Aircraft Fabric Covering
P/N 13-40428 $39.95
They also have a Ceconite Procedure Manual.
P/N 09-01000 $5
They also sell several different fabrics including Ceconite in three different weights ranging from 1.7 oz. - 3.7 oz. for from $6.95 - $7.45 per yard
in 70 inch width. Dacron comes in 1.8 oz. - 3.7 oz. for $3.10 - $3.80 per yard in 64 - 66 inch widths.
In my opinion the lightest weights are not appropriate for our use based on my interpretation of the descriptions in the catalog.
They also have various coatings and tools.
I have no idea if any of this 2001 info is still valid. Hope at least some of this is useful.
When you're lying in the midst of the Afghan plains and the women come out to cut up the remains; just roll to your rifle and blow out your
brains and go to your god like a soldier.
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crbrlfrost
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| posted on 14/8/04 at 12:02 AM |
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Sounds like a great idea to me. I've seen it used by UTA in FSAE and they seemed to have great success with it. Don't know how well it
would survive gravel, but then again, props can throws rocks all to well too. Cheers!
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madforfishing
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| posted on 14/8/04 at 09:54 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by dblissett
nice idea my only concern would be at the front just before the botom whisbones the alli pannels dont fit flush with the chassis the panell sticks off
the bottom rails by a couple of inches if you can get round this problem you could be on to somthing
I was thinking the same, Dave.
Maybe it could be done with ali stringers, or similar, between the rails. Although even done like this it's still going to be
'angular' and not curved like the original. Also, I can see that method taking as long as making a full panel fit.
I don't doubt someone on here will come up with a solution.
By the way, what will the fabric covering save on weight, compared to a car skinned in ali ? How easy to remove a damaged panel ?
My Mrs already thinks the car is 'dangerous', as you can 'touch the floor outside!' (hmmm, out of the mouths of babes eh?).
I'm sure she'd love it if a fabric panel was all that was between her and the road she is so desperate to touch. Oh well, I can save on
weight by removing the other seat, as she won't be wanting to come along then.
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dblissett
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| posted on 15/8/04 at 06:34 AM |
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mrs
if your mrs is anthing like mine she will love the thought of fabric
she must do thats all she spends her/my money on
good point about changing panels i will stick to stainless 0.7mm
dave
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locoboy
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| posted on 8/2/05 at 03:29 PM |
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Reignighting an an old one here. Has anyone got any new ideas or takes on this subject?
Im thinking Nylon Ripstop material with a hem at the bottom which an ally flat bar can be threaded and rivited through into the bottom of the lower
chassis rail. and for the top im thinking of it folding over the top of the top chassis rail and all the way under the top rail and secured with self
adhesive velcro.
Should be able to pull it tight enough for it not to flap about in the wind.
Any thoughts apart from the afore mentioned about cut outs for exhausts, or the structutal properties or riveted or welded side panels etc.
Could prove an interesting concept. All you need is a book pattern making up then choose your colour of nylon ripstop material.
I can feel a harlequin moment coming on!
ATB
Locoboy
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Dale
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| posted on 8/2/05 at 04:12 PM |
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how about kevlar material- cept it does not come in the nice colours of ripstop nylon.
Dale
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locoboy
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| posted on 8/2/05 at 04:38 PM |
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I think the kevlar material would be at a price to turn anyone or anything a shade of any colour you wanted!
We buy Kevlar webbing at work and the 50mm wide stuff is 5.30 per meter!
ATB
Locoboy
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dblissett
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| posted on 8/2/05 at 09:19 PM |
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nylon
will the nylon ripstop withstand the heat from a exhaust manifold i dont know anything about the stuff its the nylon in the name that makes me ask
cheers dave
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locoboy
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| posted on 9/2/05 at 09:22 AM |
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Dont know Dave,
Its something i need to experiment with.
I have a bid in at the moment on some ripstop nylon - hopefilly enough to do to sides 
Some self adehesive reflective foil type film could be stuck on the inside of the nylon to act as a heat sheild.
ATB
Locoboy
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locoboy
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| posted on 10/2/05 at 09:18 AM |
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Looks like i have secured myself some ripstop from e-bay so i can have a go at seeing how it will / wont work
ATB
Locoboy
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