Progress

9 years ago

2016, Student Work

My bicycling chariot progress has taken a few steps forward and back lately. I have finalized the design, geometry, aesthetic, and components. However, I have been practicing my welds for a couple weeks and unfortunately it has been difficult to not blow through tubing using MIG and the wall thickness I desire. This has caused me to reevaluate the material for the project. I may be able to find a solution with metal or by learning TIG welding, however I have been considering a move to bamboo as the frame material. Moving to bamboo would be considerable lighter however it would most likely require a different design and geometry as the curves I had planned to bend into the metal will be difficult to accomplish with bamboo. This may also require a slight shift in aesthetic but we shall see. I plan to work this out over brake and pick a definite material for the bike by the 30th.

Daniel Moody

Sami’s Schedule and Progress Update

Project Update 3/16 | Peter

3 Comments. Leave new

Elyse Skinner
March 27, 2016 9:55 pm

I think it is interesting how you are seeing how the material shift may change the aesthetic and how you execute your design. I have been having trouble figuring out how the material keeps shifting my aesthetic and original intentions as well. It is amazing how a minor change, such as the change in materials can affect your design so much. I can’t wait to see how it turns out and think bamboo would definitely add some interest to your design.

Reply
Alex Peters
March 27, 2016 9:39 pm

I am not sure if the friend I mentioned in an earlier comment can help with TIG welding. Bamboo sounds like a decent solution, but it can be difficult to cut(via saw) without splintering from my experience. I might recommend a material that will not splinter with ease.

Reply
Matthew Sturm
March 27, 2016 2:45 pm

I need to say right off the bat that I love your inspiration for this project. That fist in Detroit is awesome, especially in person.
What did you end up doing for your custom bike frame jig? Is there any possibility that a modification to it will improve the results of your welding? I would hate to see some of your passion for this design disappear because of a change to bamboo (or some other material) which wouldn’t allow for the exact aesthetic you were hoping for.
Also, where are you doing your welding? If it hasn’t been in the Idea Forge, I would say that stopping in there could be helpful to talk with either Bev or Aimee.

Reply