Aluminum Frame RD

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Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:21 pm

So, I've final started doing something after lingering around the forum for over 8 months. The plan is to build a Camp Inn 560 rain drop design on top of a riveted aluminum frame. The frame will be .063" sheet metal bent into C-channel with some square tubing down the middle. Pics coming as soon as I learn to upload.
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Mon Jan 14, 2013 8:49 pm

Center length of frame minus the square tubing
101333
12' piece light enough for my 6 year old
101336
Rivet pattern- 6 rivets on each joint, may go with more later
101334
Nice shop head, if I say so myself!
101335
Never mind the color, it's the primers I used. It will get another coat of primer then some paint.
Shot 75 or so rivets before I ran out, will get more tomorrow as well as more C-channel bent up for the sides and additional bracing.
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Mon Jan 14, 2013 10:49 pm

Anyone know a dummy-proof way to make sure your frame is square? :?
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby KCStudly » Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:59 pm

Make the sides and ends exactly the same lengths (respectively) then adjust until the diagonals are exactly the same length.

You could also make a big plywood brace and/or using the 3/4/5 triangle method (measure 3 ft down one side, 4 ft across and connect the two locations at 5 ft).

Pythagorean formula for right triangle:
a^2 + b^2 = c^2

er go:
9 + 16 = 25
Last edited by KCStudly on Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby Junkboy999 » Tue Jan 15, 2013 12:00 am

Best way to make sure is good preparation. Cut all your parts that are the same in a Jig or a fixture. Cut
all parts first. Cutting your parts one at a time as you need then is the best way to screw it up.

Use a spacing jig or two equal sized temporary bars to hold you side rails the same distance apart. Clamp
everything first before welding ( bolting or riveting ) . Them measure diagonally from corner to corner.
Unclamp, adjust and measure again. Repeat, rinse and repeat if needed.
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:13 pm

Thanks KC, I knew that but went dumb for a minute.
I brought some more metal for the side length and supports from middle to sides, got it clamped together and decided to put it on the scale again. 13.9 lbs for a bare frame!!! Less than half of what I guestimated, And that's with 8 of the 1" spring clamps on it.
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby KCStudly » Fri Jan 18, 2013 3:44 pm

RandyG wrote:I knew that but went dumb for a minute.


:lol: :lol: :lol:

Happens to us all from time to time. :D
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Thu Jan 24, 2013 7:14 pm

101530
Got the ribs going from the middle out
101531
Nice and square, those small triangle brackets will hold the nutplates for the plywood floor to bolt to.
101532
Also took the kids to the Monster truck show, well... I'd probably go kids or not, FREE TICKETS!

No pic but I did get the sides temp installed with rivets in each corner. Everything is square but my corner-to-corner measurements are 1/8" off. :(
Since it's temp installed I'll look more into it, hopefully just some trimming will do the fix.
Randy
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Thu Jan 24, 2013 7:22 pm

biziedizie wrote:Cool to see your kid is being part of the build, hope he enjoys the camping with you :)

Oh yeah, all three of them love camping, but just having a Chevy HHR doesn't give alot of room for gear.
Though a little young to rivet, afraid of the noisy tools, and getting distracted every two minutes they are really excited about the build.
Randy
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby Junkboy999 » Fri Jan 25, 2013 6:36 am

Hummm

Aircraft worker, monster truck.
McConnell? , Intrust Arena ??
Are you in Kansas Toto ??

:lol: hahaha
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:25 pm

No, northwest louisiana
Randy
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby Lonnie Mac » Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:56 pm

RandyG wrote:Center length of frame minus the square tubing
Rivet pattern- 6 rivets on each joint, may go with more later
101334
Nice shop head, if I say so myself!
101335
Never mind the color, it's the primers I used. It will get another coat of primer then some paint.
Shot 75 or so rivets before I ran out, will get more tomorrow as well as more C-channel bent up for the sides and additional bracing.


Watching this thread. Looks fun! Guess I can say I have bucked a few hundred (thousand) rivets or so! :)

I wonder about your rivet spacing though in this upper pic. 6 rivets in shear...

The bottom pic looks like a perfect 1 and 1/2 D. Good job!
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:18 pm

Yes the 6 rivets are in shear stress, I will go with more than six and the spacing is less than 1" staggered (T.O. 1-1a-8).
Thanks for the comment. I am going to make some progress this weekend and make lots of noise, more pics coming soon if my neighbors don't shut me down too early :twisted:
Randy
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:44 pm

A lot of riveting this weekend and also got it squared off.
Frame is plenty strong.
101616
And very light! :D
101615
Randy
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Re: Aluminum Frame RD

Postby RandyG » Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:42 am

Not much action this week. I've been planning lots though. I'm kinda worried about the twist the frame has in it. It has strength side to side and front to back but the whole thing will bend if stress is put on one corner. Will just the side walls and bulkheads beef it up enough? I was thinking of putting an 1/8" groove in the side walls and making the wall fit inside of it (dado joint). If I go with 1/2" ply for the walls and side, will that be strong enough? I want to be as light as possible but 1/2" seems thin to me with the 1/8" groove for the floor. Some input would be greatly appreciated. Just want to feel a little more confident before I buy $300 worth of wood.
Randy
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