Either I'm looking in the wrong place or there aren't many prefab cage options. I like the idea of a roll bar with rear facing support bars for my FF LWB body but not sure what is recommended. Eg, just a rear cage or part of an internal cage with side bars and front hoop. Don't really like the front hoop against the windscreen frame but I guess that's the only way? Is there not a resource of plans and dimensions for bars and cages. Perhaps this is the one stage of the build which the lazy newbie isn't going to get an easy ride!?
Cages are pretty much bespoke as if you want a roof that influences cage design.
I think peters site, manxmaniac, has a section on cages. Regardless there will be plenty of pics on there.
Have a word with Gordon at FF he sells the bodies so probably knows a firm to make a hoop and supports to fit them.
There are firms who can bend tube and will make cages depending on where you are.
Thanks. I did check out manxmaniac and have seen lots of pictures. But it's measurements and numbers I really want! Even just a rear section would do. Have seen a couple of these online but not really what I want. I'll post some measurements when I get mine made!
I mean they'll always vary a bit between manufacturers as everyones machines have different centreline radii and draw the tube a little different. So unless it's a bolt in with plenty of slop in the fit to account for differences nobody is really gonna put precise measurements as they're not a huge amount of help to someone making them with a different bender. Rough measurements maybe.
Unfortunately there is no such thing as a standard size cage in all honesty. Each and every body is different as when they get built they get pushed and pulled all over the place and really depends on how the floorplans have been welded in etc.
As others have said a bespoke cage is the way to go.
hat said I did measure one up myself once using wood and plastic pipe and then got a local place to bend all the components for me, before my dear friend Paddy trimmed and welded them ll together.
Thanks for the help. Gordon did share a hoop design with measurements which sort of lines up so I'm going with that and then measure everything else as we go. My friendly neighbour who is helping me with this said making a buggy is more challenging than restoring a classic car! I wish I'd played with more Meccano as a kid rather than Lego!
Quote from: Wosco on March 08, 2022, 08:54:54 AM
Thanks for the help. Gordon did share a hoop design with measurements which sort of lines up so I'm going with that and then measure everything else as we go. My friendly neighbour who is helping me with this said making a buggy is more challenging than restoring a classic car! I wish I'd played with more Meccano as a kid rather than Lego!
I agree with your friendly neighbour and that is why every buggy is different, apart from the chassis and body it's a blank canvas which you finish to your requirements / likes
Chris
Chad hits the nail on the head. No two buggy tubs, even from the same moulds, are the same. As they cure, and depending on outside temp.... winter/summer the shape changes shape quite a bit. Symmetry either side is not equal. Tubs take forever to finish curing. So no available figures, shapes, exact dimensions.
Two choices..... Seamless cold drawn steel tube or seamed pipe... mild steel or stainless.
I have found that if you can get a body/tub securely mounted to the chassis and can get it to a stainless steel exhaust specialist, at least in my area, they are quite willing to make up a roll hoop or full system in a day. As it`s made to measure it will fit just how you want it to as long as what you are asking for is practical. They are fully experienced with bend radius calculations.
Quote from: Paul1953 on March 08, 2022, 01:21:47 PM
Two choices..... Seamless cold drawn steel tube or seamed pipe... mild steel or stainless.
Not quite . . . The two choices are Functionality or Cosmetic
I am more than aware that my own Stainless Cage falls way short of anything protective, but it looks good ;)
Quote from: Paul1953 on March 08, 2022, 01:21:47 PM
Two choices..... Seamless cold drawn steel tube or seamed pipe... mild steel or stainless.
There's a 3rd choice, buy tube and preformed bends, that's how mine is done, you'll never bend stainless of any size or thickness.
When designing consider your height, do you want to mount seatbelts on it, is it going to form the frame for a soft or hard top
Quote from: Doon L001 on March 08, 2022, 03:03:12 PM
you'll never bend stainless of any size or thickness.
Have to disagree there mate, as that's exactly how mine was done by a balcony fabricator ;)
Quote from: Dave DND on March 08, 2022, 04:56:11 PM
Quote from: Doon L001 on March 08, 2022, 03:03:12 PM
you'll never bend stainless of any size or thickness.
Have to disagree there mate, as that's exactly how mine was done by a balcony fabricator ;)
My use of English. When I said "any" I should have said large. My main bar in is 3", ooh err :) :) :)
Quote from: Dave DND on March 08, 2022, 04:56:11 PM
Quote from: Doon L001 on March 08, 2022, 03:03:12 PM
you'll never bend stainless of any size or thickness.
Have to disagree there mate, as that's exactly how mine was done by a balcony fabricator ;)
My roll bar was bent by a place that does swimming pool hand rails and disability stuff.
I can bend 3" stainless. Problem is the former for it is a grand and it's useless for anything else bar cosmetic cages
Quote from: PhillipM on March 08, 2022, 10:01:38 PM
I can bend 3" stainless. Problem is the former for it is a grand and it's useless for anything else bar cosmetic cages
What sort of radius could you get?
I think it's like a 9" CLR.
That, plus the cost of the jig, will be why the guy who made mine bought the corners.
I mean that's fine for a cosmetic one, no good for anything structural really.
Imho, get someone with a tube bender to make a bespoke one for you. Not a pipe bender, as it will create flat spots on the bend radius. As has been said already, each body is different, seat angle, height of you sat in the seat, how level the floor pans are etc etc. Do it once and do it right. Where are you located, as someone may be able to recommend a local place?
Lee Southerton at Volksmagic does some amazing bespoke cage work and has all teh right tools for the job.
He is in Langley West Midlands (literally just off Junction 2 M5).
He made both of my cages, and yes that was ISOFIX on the silver one
(https://i.postimg.cc/HxsDG9VP/IMG-3566.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SX5tC8LW)
(https://i.postimg.cc/hP7Fqjtg/IMG-3568.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGmYNRXd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gm5q3P75/Cage-13.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/yD0FvRzm)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d1M6rsKR/IMG-1011.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdJ5LLsz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HxC0j6QB/S001-24.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Nyp2z7CH)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j2xz4C3f/S001-53.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Pp7ptfjf)
That's some impressive pipework !