For my Robot’s Chassis, I am using sheet metal I purchased at the new Lowes that opened here in Canada. I will draw out the outline on the sheet, bend up the metal, and than braze the corners with a Mapp + Oxygen torche and flux rods. I don’t have experience with brazing, but read many articles on google about DIY brazing and think it is a simple and strong way to join the metal at the corners.
I just wanted to know if its a good idea to Braze the Sheet metal and if it will be strong enough to wistand my abbuse when driving it over rough terriane or taking an impact from rocks ect.
Oh, brazing will stand up to all you give it. What ga are you using? What overlap? It never hurts to practice first on some scraps.
The toughest part may be not to burn through the sheet metal. You need to tack it first at the ends and a few points in between, then the remainder to avoid warping.
Silver brazing works well also (sometimes called silver soldering). Simple soft-soldering would probably work as well for your application, and is somewhat easier. A good soldered joint with overlap should be quite strong.
Be sure to get the sheet metal good and clean first, and degrease it.
Be SAFE! Use protective (safety) glasses and clothing. Get help if you can.
Other then the fact that you can’t easily weld it, aluminum is probably a better material for building a 'bot. Use gussets and angle plates bolted in. A local shop might be willing to MIG weld it for you.
I was trying to get my school to let me use the machining shop, but the teachers are (IMO too lazy) to supervise me on their lunch break or after school. Considering the fact that this is a project for the Science Fair and Nationals (something that gives them a good rep) and they don’t want to bother helping me is unbelievable.
My original plan was to use the machines to make the nice clean folds and than spot weld the edges, but since I now have to DIY, I am going to have to bend the metal with a vice and Construction angle for smooth creases and than braze the corners. I could also use brackets to hold the sides, but than I’d have to use caulking to waterproof.
Thanks for the tips, Im sure, done right, brazing should be strong enough for me.
If you are overlapping the edges you could consider drilling and riveting them together.
Brazing is harder than it looks especially to get a good finish and strong joint. If you want it to work good and look good, you will want to get someone experienced to help you or show you first. I’m just trying to save you some grief.
Aluminum would be better but it can be expensive to find someone to TIG weld it for you.
I’d say use angle aluminum or U channel to build it or drill with rivets for a cleaner more permanent look.
