What equipment needed to build dragster frame?

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Ok, i'm not saying i'm definitely going to do this;  i'm just theoretically throwing the question out there due to my fascination with the subject and of welding in general.  Also, merits of chromoly vs. mild steel notwithstanding, i'm just curious if, theoretically, if i wanted to mig weld up a dragster chassis out of mild steel tubing, what machine (brand and model specific) would i need and why?Also, what kind (brand and model) tube bender would i need and why?  Which benders to avoid?Last edited by HELP!; 02-21-2011 at 06:33 AM.
Reply:I am going to guess from the way the questions were asked you both do not know much about welding or drag race chassis's. So until you know a lot more about either subject I would suggest staying far away.If the advice is unwanted and it usually is. GRINGo here   http://www.swracecars.com/store/Drag...OSCAR_344.aspx
Reply:Well you have to use chromoly that meets NHRA spec's.You have to TIG weld it you can not Mig weld it.The bender has to be a good one there can not be any kinks in the bend.And a Tig welder, Mig welder, pipe cutters, a pipe notcher, grinders, files, angle finders, calipers, mikes, blue prints and plans, drill press, vices, work bench's, frame jig, etc, etc, etc, a well stocked shop, Oh a lot of money to build it again because the first one won't be right or pass NHRA inspection.The best way to build a dragster frame is to buy one.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by mechanic416Well you have to use chromoly that meets NHRA spec's.
Reply:I saw a video recently that said that a MIG weld on racing car chassis constructed with mild steel or DOM was better because the convex build up of the MIG weld had less built in stress that the concave TIG weld. The Non chromoly was actually perfered as it would give more before cracking.The person giving this info and photos was a NASCAR expert.But the expert top end rail dragster frames (chromoly) I have seen, are all TIG welded.I saw a rail dragster come apart 3/4 way down the dragstrip when it spun around. That made me realize if it was me in that car I would want the chromoly. By the way that driver in that crash only got a chipped tooth, and his shoes came off. There was nothing left of the car except the roll cage. That was 20 years ago. Now the safety features are even better.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 02-21-2011 at 02:52 PM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:The appeal of chrome moly is the weight, mild steel must be a min of .118 thick to pass tech, C-M can be .090.At the thicknesses being used strength would be about equal.Nascar cars are mild steel, they have to add weight to them anyway and it may be mandated.
Reply:Again, the merits of chromoly vs. mild steel notwithstanding (meaning let's please not get into that right now......), let's say i DID know what the heck i was doing.In this case which mig welding machine(s) and which tube bender should i get?P.S. i think mild steel is good to 7.50 et, but let's not get into that either for now.
Reply:Originally Posted by HELP!Again, the merits of chromoly vs. mild steel notwithstanding (meaning let's please not get into that right now......), let's say i DID know what the heck i was doing.In this case which mig welding machine(s) and which tube bender should i get?
Reply:I am sorry I though you wanted to build a "DRAGSTER" not a toy. I go 8.50's on my bike with a stock chassis/frame.www.georgesplasmacuttershop.comPlasma Cutter and Welder Sales and Repairs--Ebay storeTec.Mo. Dealer Consumables for the PT and IPT torch's
Reply:Originally Posted by HELP!Again, the merits of chromoly vs. mild steel notwithstanding (meaning let's please not get into that right now......), let's say i DID know what the heck i was doing.In this case which mig welding machine(s) and which tube bender should i get?P.S. i think mild steel is good to 7.50 et, but let's not get into that either for now.
Reply:chromoly you have to tig weld to stay within nhra specs, it specifically states all chromoly has to be tig welded..mild steel has to be migged or tigged, also states it in the rules..your welds will be sonic tested, i've also seen some techs run an xray test randomly.. as far as building a dragster chassis from mild steel..i would go with no less than a 180amp machine, you could get by with a 150 amp or so but you'll be pretty hard on it.. actually a miller 211 would be real nice for chassis work... i had a miller 252 for a while and it was just simply awesome for chassis work, a little big though.   right now i 'm using a lincoln 180c and it works fine, but i would like a little more..you would need a tubing bender, i like pro-tools bender, i have one, it makes pretty nice bends, it wasnt cheap but a good bender isnt cheap anyways.. pro-bender has a nice hydraulic setup but i think its around $800-$900horizontal bandsawjd or baleigh tubing notcherdrill pressrout-a-burr, hand deburring tool,file2x 4 1/2 grinders, one with a grinding wheel, one with a cutoff wheel.90deg die grinder with the twist-loc arbor, a box of sanding disks and box of scotchbrite discs.a couple or 3 or 4 squares of different length. like 6", 8" and 12"i like to have a speed square also.couple magnetic angle findersi have about a 1/2 dozen tape measures around the garage.. 1 on workbench, 1 by saw, 1 on toolbox, 1 on project, 1 by drill press and a spare ..some of those cheap magnetic work holders from harbor freight..dial calipers..probably some other stuff i'm missing, but that would get you going good.. i also might add, if you decide to build your own chassis use dom, not the welded seam stuff...Last edited by brucer; 02-22-2011 at 03:23 AM.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:K.........could you point me to some links/addition info.   Or are sonic testers and x-rays also mega-buck?EDIT:  i guess a better question would be:  Where/how can i get this equipment OR where/how can i get these tests done?Last edited by HELP!; 02-22-2011 at 06:17 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonChrome-moly has something on the order of 65 times the impact strength of low carbon steel.That's 'WHY?' it sees use in aircraft and high performance vehicles.
Reply:Originally Posted by brucerchromoly you have to tig weld to stay within nhra specs, it specifically states all chromoly has to be tig welded..mild steel has to be migged or tigged, also states it in the rules..your welds will be sonic tested, i've also seen some techs run an xray test randomly..
Reply:Hanging somewhere tied up into the top of a garage ceiling in Corpus Christi, Texas is an old dragster chassis I watched being built. it was made from  driveshafts and stick welded.  The builder was a pipefitter/welder in the refinery in CC.   He was a real keen hot rodder and a good friend.  She had  a Pontiac engine, hillborn injectors and ran class A, no blower  and was an NHRA class winner  at a Nat'l meet.   Many moons ago... it had Moon hubcapsThings change while remaining exactly the same.Last edited by PapaLion; 02-22-2011 at 09:55 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by Mario428Welds "WILL NOT" be sonic tested, the wall thickness of the tube in a straight part of the tube will be for proper wall thickness.Hate to break your heart but most DOM is welded seam, just been cleaned up. Unless the DOM is something special it will be the same steel as the stuff with the welded seam. My car is bulit with welded seam, very visible welded seam. Lots of them are.
Reply:Originally Posted by bruceryep wall thickness is sonic and welds are xrayed
Reply:This is all fine, but could we get back to the original question----specifically what equipment, brand and model specific, do i need to build a mild steel tube frame chassis?1) And i will put it on the table----yes i intend to do this;  i've got tube frame fever.  i think about this constantly putting it ahead of my social life.a) Do not worry;  i am one of the most safety conscious people you'll probably meet.  Therefore, if i'm not capable of this i will call a pro or buy a premade chassis from a reputable shop i.e., S+W, neil+parks etc.   The reason why i wanted to try i do it myself and to learn to weld is in case i need to modify the chassis and/or weld on additional tabs etc.  So, i figured i might as well do it all myself so i can get exactly what i want as far as chassis design.2)  As far as the whole chromoly vs. mild steel thing:  The chromoly supporters may very well be right.  However, my feeling is that there have been many cars built from mild steel and there have been many build out of C/M.  Both have apparently worked fine.a) i felt that mild steel would be easier to work with (can mig vs. tig).b) i won't be running top fuel or alcohol etc., therefore i don't feel C/M is really "nessesary."c) It will actually be an altered with front suspension which further reduces the "need" for the flexibility of chromoly;  If you have a suspension, then the chassis does not need to flex.But let's please not get into chromoly vs. mild steel until we address what specific equipment would be needed to accomplish this project.  Ok?Last edited by HELP!; 02-22-2011 at 03:08 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by HELP!The reason why i wanted to try i do it myself and to learn to weld is in case i need to modify the chassis and/or weld on additional tabs etc.  So, i figured i might as well do it all myself so i can get exactly what i want as far as chassis design.
Reply:post number 11 has some good tools listedidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Originally Posted by HELP!This is all fine, but could we get back to the original question----specifically what equipment, brand and model specific, do i need to build a mild steel tube frame chassis?1) And i will put it on the table----yes i intend to do this;  i've got tube frame fever.  i think about this constantly putting it ahead of my social life.a) Do not worry;  i am one of the most safety conscious people you'll probably meet.  Therefore, if i'm not capable of this i will call a pro or buy a premade chassis from a reputable shop i.e., S+W, neil+parks etc.   The reason why i wanted to try i do it myself and to learn to weld is in case i need to modify the chassis and/or weld on additional tabs etc.  So, i figured i might as well do it all myself so i can get exactly what i want as far as chassis design.2)  As far as the whole chromoly vs. mild steel thing:  The chromoly supporters may very well be right.  However, my feeling is that there have been many cars built from mild steel and there have been many build out of C/M.  Both have apparently worked fine.a) i felt that mild steel would be easier to work with (can mig vs. tig).b) i won't be running top fuel or alcohol etc., therefore i don't feel C/M is really "nessesary."c) It will actually be an altered with front suspension which further reduces the "need" for the flexibility of chromoly;  If you have a suspension, then the chassis does not need to flex.But let's please not get into chromoly vs. mild steel until we address what specific equipment would be needed to accomplish this project.  Ok?
Reply:Originally Posted by HELP!Ok, i'm not saying i'm definitely going to do this;  i'm just theoretically throwing the question out there due to my fascination with the subject and of welding in general.  Also, merits of chromoly vs. mild steel notwithstanding, i'm just curious if, theoretically, if i wanted to mig weld up a dragster chassis out of mild steel tubing, what machine (brand and model specific) would i need and why?Also, what kind (brand and model) tube bender would i need and why?  Which benders to avoid?