Making my own chase rack - Need dimensions and help

[mouldman1]

So I'm ready to start putting together a chase rack. I'm planing on using 1 1/4" Square tube steel and weld it together. I'm going to mock up the whole rack using my CNC Machine, then once I get everything laid out I'll cut the steel and weld. So a couple of questions:

1. Do you think 1 1/4" Square tube steel is sufficient?
2. Where could I get a AutoCAD or similar drawing of the bed?

I will post up my progress as I move along....I hope to have it mocked up this weekend!

 

[MTUH3]

You will want 2" tubing for the bed bolts. 1.5" tubing works if you take the washer off the bolt heads. Not sure what the design is, in case you plan on using the tube to bolt to the bed.

Here is a shot of my simple one, it is 1.5" tube.

 

[Icecobra]

Mines a pretty basic design but I don't have a cover so I went to the top to mount lights..

I used 1X2 and it worked pretty well....

 

[Allied Offroad]

So I'm ready to start putting together a chase rack. I'm planing on using 1 1/4" Square tube steel and weld it together. I'm going to mock up the whole rack using my CNC Machine, then once I get everything laid out I'll cut the steel and weld. So a couple of questions:

1. Do you think 1 1/4" Square tube steel is sufficient?
2. Where could I get a AutoCAD or similar drawing of the bed?

I will post up my progress as I move along....I hope to have it mocked up this weekend!

Mock it up in the bed, you'll spend days modeling it, then you will still need to mock it up in the bed. As long as you use 1/8th wall square, 1.25'' will be plenty strong. gusset any spot that will see lateral stresses. good luck!! Don't give up, you'll have sevaral days in this.

also, whats a cnc machine?

 

[mouldman1]

Mock it up in the bed, you'll spend days modeling it, then you will still need to mock it up in the bed. As long as you use 1/8th wall square, 1.25'' will be plenty strong. gusset any spot that will see lateral stresses. good luck!! Don't give up, you'll have sevaral days in this.

also, whats a cnc machine?

CNC is computer numerical control....basically a computer controlled device. In my case I have a 3 axis CNC Router. So I will draw out all the dimensions in AutoCAD and have the machine cut all the parts from wood. Once I assemble it all and am happy with it i'll cut the pieces of of steel and weld.

It would be great to have some really good dimensions tho...

This is a video of machine in action cutting some parts.

 

[MTUH3]

Mock it up in the bed, you'll spend days modeling it, then you will still need to mock it up in the bed. As long as you use 1/8th wall square, 1.25'' will be plenty strong. gusset any spot that will see lateral stresses. good luck!! Don't give up, you'll have sevaral days in this.

also, whats a cnc machine?

I drew mine up on engineering paper, then measured cut and tack welded everything in the bed. Once I was happy, I finished welded. Worked out great, because I then built 2 more, and the dimensions were almost exact to what I welded in the bed.

x2 on the 1.25" tube. The only reason to go bigger is to help use the bed bolts to secure it to the bed without cutting the side walls or making separate pieces.

Jimmy, you are a funny guy

 

[Huck]

I laughed when i read the "CNC" comment

 

[Allied Offroad]

I laughed when i read the "CNC" comment

I know right?! Saying cnc machine is pretty vague right? I mean there are 100's of "cnc machines". It's like saying I'm bringing my " car" to TRR. The Cnc router, definitely clarifies things.

still wouldnt waste the time, though.

---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:09 PM ----------

I used a $50k cnc plasma table to burn the tabs that mount the race rack into raptor beds then used a $100k cnc press brake to form them and the "airdams". Then I used a $25k cnc mill to precisely put the holes in the tabs to fasten airdams and top plate, then I used $35k cnc tube bender to precisely bend tubes to spec......

 

[Huck]

I design million dollar 5 axis milling and turning centers all day long. That's why I laughed

 

[Allied Offroad]

Which company?