« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: What type of metel  (Read 6802 times)

Offline Russell

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
  • Your Track: unice raceway
  • Your Vehicle: none at present
What type of metel
« on: March 26, 2013, 05:22:45 PM »
This is my first time on the forum  , I have a few questions  if I may ask ? can a dragster be built with mild steel tubing?, is it legal in the states ?Can it be certified ?Chrome moly tubing is expensive and  I don't have a tig  welding outfit however I do have a mig and reg arc welders , my mig I can set it up for steel, stainless steel, and aluminum welding I have a milling machine and lathe and laying out in the yard I have 4 20 foot  I beams I could use for a jig to build a chassis on .I do know some door slammers use a mild steel chassis but  not sure about a dragster or maybe an altered.    Russ
Logged

Offline FatOldGuy

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 11
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 7.99
  • Your Engine: FED ,Alcohol,540 Merlin
  • Your Track: Great Lakes Dragaway
  • Your Vehicle: 200" blown alcohol FED
Re: What type of metel
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2013, 05:39:26 PM »
mild steel can be used. you will need to buy a spec book from
 http://www.sfifoundation.com/
Logged

Offline Russell

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 2
    • View Profile
  • Your Track: unice raceway
  • Your Vehicle: none at present
Re: What type of metel
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2013, 05:52:22 PM »
I just ordered a spec book thanks . Russ
Logged

Offline Dolmetsch

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 339
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: dont bother with times anyome (last 4 years) just
  • Your Engine: 225 slant six Dodge . 246 cubes on 94 octane
  • Your Track: Picton Airfield
  • Your Vehicle: The Senior Dragster
Re: What type of metel
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2013, 03:23:04 PM »
Yes, I build all mine with mild steel. I keep a rule book right in the Mig welder. Mild steel is strong and durable, in fact more durable then CMbut it is heavier. Depending on your build 30 to 40 lbs heavier. Since I now race for enjoyment and I need it to last I use the mild steel. Also I know how to work with it and am confident when I weld it it is good. And yes I have beaten several cm cars heads up.
Don
Logged
SR Dragster, because old people need to have fun too!

Offline wideopen231

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1911
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 1/8 3.70@ 198 1/4 5.78@245
  • Your Engine: Hemi 526 ci alcohol
  • Your Track: Piedmont
  • Your Vehicle: 225 CMC FED
  • General Location: NORTH CAROLINA
Re: What type of metel
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2013, 03:59:33 PM »
Mild steel is legal to certain et. IMO I would go CM for cpl reasons.Weight as already stated and Im sure its more than 40 lbs.Since mild steel is normally twice as thick as CM it just tands to reason it will weigh twice as much. Resale is another reason,even if you think you will never care about saling it crap happens. Number one is Im riding in it and that means its going to be CM.
  Yes it cost more I know Ive been buying it few pieces at a time for past 2 years.

  As Frank Parks says steel is for farm equipment and Chrome moly is for racecars.
Logged
Relecting obama is like shooting right foot because it did not hurt enough when you shot left foot

Offline George

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 515
    • View Profile
  • Your Vehicle: 1964 Mercury Comet Super Stock/ M automatic
  • General Location: Midwest USA
Re: What type of metel
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2013, 05:56:00 AM »
I would understand the build spec completely. I don't think it's wise to build anything that may not pass a certification. As far as material , CM is the only thing I would use in a dragster . It's not only strength to consider, tubing memory or lack of should be taken into consideration. Safety, weight and resale are the things to keep in mind.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »