Anyone try metal and wood sandwich frame?

[TD Beej]

I'm thinking about how to make my frame and had the idea of using a wood frame with aluminum top and bottom plates bolted through to make a stiff sandwich. It seems like it would be lighter then steel tubes and smaller dimensionally and maybe less prone to fatigue then aluminum tubing alone.

Thanks,
Beej

[laoutdoorsman]

aluminum is soft...it will bend/flex with the wood...

just my opinion...

[Ageless]

They have a product called 'Signboard' which had aluminum bonded on both sides. It is very rigid as the aluminum does not want to compress and flex at the same time. It's 1/2" marine ply. I have several sheets that Boeing threw out, so I packed them home. This is pricey stuff; about $60 a sheet

[laoutdoorsman]

They have a product called 'Signboard' which had aluminum bonded on both sides. It is very rigid as the aluminum does not want to compress and flex at the same time. It's 1/2" marine ply. I have several sheets that Boeing threw out, so I packed them home. This is pricey stuff; about $60 a sheet

interesting...i never heard of it..

[TD Beej]

Ageless,

Do you know the brand of the signboard? I did a search and was coming up with all kinds of different products. Any idea how stiff it is relative to say the same plywood w/ a fiber glass layers on each side.

Thanks,
Beej

[Arne]

There are different types of aluminum. If you select the proper grade, you would have no problem. If you get the wrong grade, it will bend and stretch.

Ather grade of aluminum alloys: http://www.aluminum.org/Content/Navigati…
4xx.x - Al-Si Alloys
5xxx - Al-Mg Alloys
6xxx - Al-Mg-Si Alloys (like 6061,6063, and 6111)

5xxx alloys find wide application in Building construction,highways structures including bridges, storage tanks and pressure vessels, and marine applications.

6061 alloy finds broad use in welded structural members such as truck and marine frames, railroad cars,and pipelines.

[TD Beej]

Arne,
Thanks, I hadn't considered the question of the specific alloy.
Thanks,
Barry