Comments on: Australian E-Vade sports car Melbourne debut

By: brad

brad — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:02:42 +0000

show us the car you built from scratch. you have no idea.

By: Bill.

Bill. — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:49:42 +0000

The question of Mild steel v 4130 is pretty simple. Mild steel can be repaired easily with an Oxy set, while 4130 requires at the very least a Tig welder & a competent operator! Not to mention the annealing process that is required for good 4130 integrity. I hasten to ad that MS is much cheaper $ can be obtained at almost any “Big W”, well any way any reasonable engineering supply house.

I have in person a number of times repaired damaged MS space frames at a Race meeting/Hill Climb,this is generally not possible with 4130.

Cheers Bill.Dip Engineering.Dip Teaching.(Retired)

By: Car Nut

Car Nut — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 23:26:27 +0000

Saw this at the Melbourne Motor Show – very nice technology in its design, some of it quite cutting-edge. Also saw this several days prior to the show as he drove it through the city. However, my only disappointment was the quality of finish on the body… a typical engineer! A shame he could not buddy up to a good panel beater/painter so the body of the car would do the rest of it justice. Transaxle was also on display and looked superb.

By: Wingers

Wingers — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:24:55 +0000

I can’t wait to see Dave’s car on Top Gear over here in the UK! I reckon Hampster would like a drive. I am a marine engineer, like Dave, and wouldn’t know where to start on a project like this. Fantastic work – I would love a spin in it.

By: Nero

Nero — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:05:47 +0000

perhaps we are.

By: Bret

Bret — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:12:45 +0000

OK. More resources than application though.

BTW I thought we were discussing this from similar quals & background experience.

Still, a great effort none the less.
I wonder if we will get to see it in SA. Keep us updated Alborz & Co. We expect a full report from the show on this one!!

By: Nero

Nero — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:22:08 +0000

Given this man’s qualifications and background I am sure he has considered the alternatives. No doubt he has chosen the most appropriate for his resources and application, perhaps we can agree on that?

By: Bret

Bret — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:32:25 +0000

Nero, thats what I said, I think? No doubt you realise that is why aircraft use riveted joints. This is also the reason why bonded composites are so good.
Alloy steel is a better chioce than mild steel for the application, cost not considered. You do need to have the facilities & knowledge though – you can’t just weld it up in the normal manner. We do it routinely though, with the right equipment/processes.
BTW all the “better” bikes use alloy over the “cheapies” that use mild steel.
I think we both understand the principles here. Lets not start the “I know more than you” stuff.

By: Nero

Nero — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:55:42 +0000

There is no doubt the numbers and performance of the raw steel is better when we look at 4130 etc, however the cyclic performance of a steel is only as good as its joints and here we strike the Achilles heel of the alloy steels, particularly for small venture manufacture.
In addition the weight saving over a complete chassis would be say 15kg maximum?
Given the correct processes there is no doubt that it is better, but the performance/cost analysis would simply not work out.

By: Bret

Bret — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:43:55 +0000

Guys,
Don’t missunderstand my sentiment – I think that this is fantastic, and the guy has done a great job, even if it doesn’t even go any further than the current two cars. I wish him all the best for a longer production.
My comment about alloy VS mild steel is still valid though. I do understand the cost issue, in the past we have had to source such materials directly from the USA at a cost of $6000 for 3″x2″ x 5m lengths.
The issue in a spaceframe is fatigue caused by cyclic loading. Nero, different element af a spaceframe will be in compression while others may be in tension. They however will all pretty much see cyclic loading. The fatigue strength of alloy steel is MUCH higher than mild steel (and aluminiom alloy too).
Carnut, 41XX steel too fragile?? These are “tough” not “hard” steels.
Maybe I’m too used to engineering for flight.
You would also note that I mentioned that I thought that these pictures showed an incomplete car, meaning it was too early to be fully judged.