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Getting a flat surface!
Firefly - 5/1/03 at 07:58 PM

Please could you help a frustrated newbie out?

I have tried using a piece of 1/2" MDF on the floor of my garage but notice that it still isn’t flat with a slight curve of at one end.

How have others of you achieved a flat enough surface at the size necessary to start the chassis build?


interestedparty - 5/1/03 at 08:52 PM

13 views and no-ones answered? this might solve your problem (it's not the way I do it, I built myself a sturdy 8'x4' table, and made sure it was flat).
First of all, 1/2" is a bit thin, 3/4" would be better, anyway, lay it so that it curves up at the ends (Boards always curve one way, depending how they've been stored, so turn it round if necessary) then screw it to the floor at maybe a dozen points around the edge. Between the board and the floor use some slightly compressible material, stiff foam something like that. You can then get the board flat by tightening whichever screws more than others, and checking with a decent spirit level. The board itself doesn't need to be perfectly level, but using the level will tell you if it's bulging up because the level will rock

John


Mark Allanson - 5/1/03 at 10:15 PM

This is the way I did it, 19mm MDF with 6x3 tree wood reinforcements going longwise and 1x2 RHS going sideways with legs welded on. Each leg has a M12 nut welded into the bottom and a M12 bolt wound in. Once set up you can adjust the bolts to give a level surface, I did have to shim with washers to make exact. use a 25x25RHS run diagonally to check for perfect trueness Rescued attachment DCP_0172.JPG
Rescued attachment DCP_0172.JPG


Jon Ison - 5/1/03 at 11:37 PM

1" mdf ere............the chassis will move a little when you weld it up whatever you try............


Rorty - 6/1/03 at 12:48 AM

I agree with Mr Allanson. Build something solid, and prefferably anchor it. Check for level in all directions.
If you go to the Tech Page on my site www.rorty.vze.com there's more detail about starting off.
If the construction is done well, there is no reason for the finished chassis to be more than 1mm out from end to end. Rescued attachment R2chassis_on_stand.jpg
Rescued attachment R2chassis_on_stand.jpg


philgregson - 6/1/03 at 10:58 AM

Built a framework of (straight) 3"x1" which is stood on tressles.

Over this I screwed 2 layers of (I know this is odd - but) 0.5" fire proof plasterboard that I happened to have after recovering them from a skip (Going in the workshop roof when I have done).

It is dead flat, strong enough, fire proof for welding but very heavy - I'm not saying that this was the best way but it was the materials I had in.

Phil