Quote:
Originally posted by Allan A
Help me here as I am familiar with steel construction. You have stated that it takes the same amount of time to fab square or rectangular tubing vs. round tubing. It has been our experience that this is not the case due to the fit up of radius parts. Keeping the center lines is far more difficult, I would have to agree with the REAL 1 this time.
Allan
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Allan,
If you are speaking of hand fitment of round tube versus square, you are absolutely correct. Square is easier in most cases.
However, the CSX series and SPF cars are production cars. Therefore, tubing cuts should be automated. Even the JBL chassis tubes, panels, and all brackets are CNC produced.
It has been my experience that fabrication times are equal for round and square stock with proper machine tools and tooling.
Fitment by hand takes forever, no matter what the shape tube if you fit them properly. (In my opinion.)
Chris,
Looking at the two photos, the Shelby car certainly seems to have a greater number of bits welded to it than the SPF. This implies a longer fabrication time.
However, I do wonder how many weld inches are in both and what the real time differences to build might be. 10 hours? 20 hours? 2 hours? If we take the hour difference and multiply by the burden, how large is the cost difference?
(Note: it is much easier for me to weld in a curve as I just cannot make a straight weld on a bet.)
Bandit,
The JBL is not comparable to either one of these chassis. Construction and design are of an entirely different philosophy. Therefore, it must be left out of this cost discussion.
JBL chassis photo
Note: I am not in any way making any statements as to which of these (CSX/SPF) chassis are better. I do not have a clue and really do not give a rat's ass either way.
However, I have have driven examples of both and they were both fun. What more can I or anyone say?