Benpointer
Member
- Messages
- 49
- Location
- Dorset, UK
Hi all, i'm a newbie, so please forgive the noddy questions...
Just got started with mig welding, on a beginners course at Lackham college, bought a secondhand Migatronc Automig 180 MXE, yesterday built my first project - a welding bench from 30mmx30mmx3mm box and 6mm MS plate, very please with it, the Migatronic works like a dream - all good so far.
But... one reason for taking up welding is because I want to design and build an off-road wheelchair (I am a paraplegic, full-time wheelchair user). Something like compositepro's excellent machine in this link but with manual and electic power for going uphill as well as down.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/off-road-wheelchairs-a-work-in-progress.65606/
The emphasis would be on an ability to get places rather than speed.
So, my question is what would people recommend for construction material? Bearing in mind it needs to be strong and light, I am MIG not TIG welding, any weld failure in use would be awkward but not fatal (!), I am probably going to end up making and scrapping a number of protoypes, I'll need to make a jig or jigs first.
I confess to being a bit confused by options such as CDS, chrome/moly, ERW, T45 and god knows what else. Also, I guess I am likely to be selecting tube sizes by guesswork tbh because I am not sure I would know how to size them scientifically based on the stresses caused by the (100kg) occupant!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Steve (Ben is the dog!)
Just got started with mig welding, on a beginners course at Lackham college, bought a secondhand Migatronc Automig 180 MXE, yesterday built my first project - a welding bench from 30mmx30mmx3mm box and 6mm MS plate, very please with it, the Migatronic works like a dream - all good so far.
But... one reason for taking up welding is because I want to design and build an off-road wheelchair (I am a paraplegic, full-time wheelchair user). Something like compositepro's excellent machine in this link but with manual and electic power for going uphill as well as down.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/off-road-wheelchairs-a-work-in-progress.65606/
The emphasis would be on an ability to get places rather than speed.
So, my question is what would people recommend for construction material? Bearing in mind it needs to be strong and light, I am MIG not TIG welding, any weld failure in use would be awkward but not fatal (!), I am probably going to end up making and scrapping a number of protoypes, I'll need to make a jig or jigs first.
I confess to being a bit confused by options such as CDS, chrome/moly, ERW, T45 and god knows what else. Also, I guess I am likely to be selecting tube sizes by guesswork tbh because I am not sure I would know how to size them scientifically based on the stresses caused by the (100kg) occupant!
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Steve (Ben is the dog!)