Don Minch's Velomobile Journal

Home Page: Don Minch
Indianapolis, IN, USA

Total Posts: 8

Beginnings Of A Frame

Don Minch — Posted on The Cyclekart Club
Saturday April 18, 2015 8:52 AM

This is a steel rack end I picked up at Menards. It's light enough to lift with one hand but sturdy enough for industrial shelving. But it is just a starting point at present, and will undergo some serious alterations. I'll need to narrow it toward the front and weld on a front sub-frame to mount the springs. And I may put in stronger cross-members and gussets as needed. In the end it should still be pretty light, and it's fairly strong and rigid now as is. I think this will make a very workable frame.

Steel shelf rack end

Member Comments on Journal Entry: Beginnings Of A Frame ↵

Rated 10 out of 10 based on 1 ratings

2015-04-18 16:39:20 # 25459

Comment by Mike Poinsett

Glad to see you are now on your way with your creation. I will be following closely. I'm not far from you....just outside Ft. Wayne in Roanoke. Good luck with your project.

2015-04-18 19:35:25 # 25465

Comment by Don Minch

Thanks. It'll be slow going for a bit. I need to save back for some more parts. Money's been a bit tight lately and this project may have to take a back seat every now and then. But, once it's rolling, it'll be about as low-cost and low-maintenance as a vehicle can be. And I won't need to look for parking at work; I can chain it up at the end of one of the racks!

2015-04-19 12:29:43 # 25473

Comment by Zoran R. P.

Rating: 10/10

Hello Don! It looks more and more interesting! Photo isn't quite clear, but construction looks promissing. Please keep going and keep informing use. Ciao, Zoran

2015-04-20 19:33:11 # 25510

Comment by andrew roudny

Very nice. Always cool to use re-purposed materials. I have used a fibreglass ladder as my side rails. Let us know how this works out for you.

2015-04-21 15:59:01 # 25528

Comment by Don Minch

Thanks folks. I'll definitely let you know how it goes. As I mentioned, the shelf rack will undergo quite a few modifications on the way to becoming a frame. I have tried to plan all my material choices around a blend of sufficient strength (we have some sub-par roads nearby) and being as light as is feasible. That is a tricky problem to have, to be sure.

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