914 GT 3.6 Ferrari Build, - Mechanicals coming along, electronics soon! Options

[tygaboy]

The last piece of the cradle puzzle is the rear mount. There will be a mounting point coming off the suspension console that picks up a mount at the end of the cradle, essentially in line with the cross bar, sorta like this 1st grader's drawing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[tygaboy]

This is the support bracket design for the cradle's side of the rear mount. That dimensioned surface will support the mounting plate that'll be picked up by the bracket on the suspention console.
All this will be made from 7 ga plate and, like the rest of the cradle mount, will use 14mm fasteners. Say it with me:

"That's not going anywhere!" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[tygaboy]

Playing with ideas for the rear cradle mount. The side plates would be .125" with a 7 ga plate at the base for the fastener.
The upper shape isn't final as I think I want to box it all in, leaving access for the trailing arm pivot bolt.
As usual, we'll see.

[tygaboy]

The cradle is still missing a number of parts but it's far enough along to start working out and prepping the locations for each fire wall tab.
This pic gives a good sense of the cradle's overall design/fit. Note the ends of the tubes are yet to be trimmed to length. And a threaded bung will be welded in at the end of each tube. The lower ones will serve as mounting points for the skid plate and the uppers have no current plan. No telling if they'll ever be used but I don't want to look back and wish I had another mounting point.

[ClayPerrine]

I like the idea of using the suspension pickups to mount the cradle. It accomplishes two things in one fix. It supports the cradle, and ties the rear suspension pickups together for more structural rigidity.

Clay

[Krieger]

I like the idea of using the suspension pickups to mount the cradle. It accomplishes two things in one fix. It supports the cradle, and ties the rear suspension pickups together for more structural rigidity.

Clay

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) And you’ll be able to cut out those other raspberry braces!

[tygaboy]

Today was cutting components for the cradle side of the cradle-to-console mount.
The original plan called for carrying the 1x3 up between each side's tubes but I think I prefer this design.
That said, when I first test fit the side pieces, it struck me that they could use a brace to help stabilize them and add more "anti-rack" strength so I added that connector plate between them.
I'll probably make a couple minor design tweaks to a couple of the pieces but this is essentially it for these mounts.
Note that all these parts are fresh off the plasma table and look pretty rough. I'll hit all the edges with the metal router and they'll look way better and have a much more finished look.
On to the console side of things!

[tygaboy]

Is this the end of some of my "DIY" processes? Are my plasma table's days numbered?

I can get two of these from SendCutSend for under $45 delivered. Bent and ready to go. Laser cut so better quality than what I can get on my table.

[Superhawk996]

Is this the end of some of my "DIY" processes? Are my plasma table's days numbered?

I can get two of these from SendCutSend for under $45 delivered. Bent and ready to go. Laser cut so better quality than what I can get on my table.

Maybe . . . But if you do that to the extreme when does it become bought not built? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Plus when you realize that the radius of a bend should have been larger / smaller or that the cutout could be a trapezoid instead of a hole, you’ll get to spend another $45 and wait while they turn around the parts.

You are an inspiring fabricator, why outsource that?

[jd74914]

Yours? Nah. But it does get to be a tougher sell for anyone who hasn't already spent the capital...

[tygaboy]

@Superhawk996 @jd74914 I agree that my sunk costs are a consideration but it really is something to think about. The table takes up a lot of space, too, which is a major contributor to my thinking of selling. The other solution I'm considering is adding on to the Red Barn so I end up with a "dirty room" for the plasma table and other cutting / grinding operations. That'd be the best of all worlds.

And on the "bought vs built" front, I'm pretty confident I'll find plenty of things to do that will still qualify as "built"!

[Cairo94507]

I 100% vote for the "dirty" room add-on if you can do it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[horizontally-opposed]

There's a lot of value in the love you put into the details, Chris.

Get the temptation, and would probably go that way myself (ok, I know I would), but not sure it's the right path for you. The details like these are what make your builds IMO.

Just two cents…

Pete

[Chris914n6]

I doubt the bends would be precise enough to fit like you planned.

Plus you still have to change your mind one more time....

[tygaboy]

Well, I'd already worked up the design and purchased the material so figured I may as well move forward with a weld-together mount.
The plasma table really does make quick work of all this and to @Superhawk996 Phil's comment, I did update the design, if you can imagine that... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) I opted to widen the mount and have the center brace sit inside the side plates vs on their edges. This required shortening them a bit and reshaping the lightening holes.
Then I treated all the edges (that won't be welded) to some style points, courtesy of the metal router.
And I agree, @horizontally-opposed Pete, it is more satisfying to look at things and say "I designed AND made that".
Time for some (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Cairo94507]

Love the metal router edges. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

[tygaboy]

@chris914n6 Chris for the win! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif) It seems you guys know me better than I know myself.

After looking at the mounts for a bit longer, it struck me they looked somehow incomplete. So another revision later and I have what I think is a more functional, stronger design. Tying the cross bar to the mount provides better support at that corner.

But the real question is, am I really done changing things? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[Chris914n6]

I knew something better was coming.

I feel the center brace could be more interesting than 2 triangles. Thinking a nod to Ferrari since that's its job. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[SirAndy]

But the real question is, am I really done changing things? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

Not even close ... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

[Mike Bellis]

I could have made a much prettier cradle if I had them fancy part cutters. Mine weighs 41 lbs, how about yours?

Keep up the good work!