Okay...so I'm REALLY toying with the idea of building a bug this winter and am wondering if it'd be a wasted exercise to build a PVC prototype before mis-cutting metal. I know the PVC will NOT be rideable but would it be sufficient for mocking up and then I could swap out a piece at a time with honest to goodness metal and welds?

Please, do tell me if it'd be just a complete waste of time and I'd be better off just committing to it and cutting metal.

right on, macboy's gonna do some buggying. your always welcome to get some passes on my PL until then.
went out today for a couple of hours. used the Frenzy 7.5m, bro's 4.5m legend. perfect.
and for kix and giggles we rolled out his 6m Ace. pretty much flew it on brakes and high in the window. was fun though. no rain either
Paul

Ok, srry to hijack, but is this why my 8m Ace has been pulling me out of the bug? Should I keep it high, or is just a horrible buggy kite? Would either my 11, 14 or 17 be better? I would love to cruise the NPW but I can't ever seem to lock into a beam, always wind up on a broad, if I even think about going up wind, the kite collapses, and lights on fire.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming, instead of the PVC mockup, you are better off printing off full scale drawings if you have access to a printer that will do so, if not, draw it on something (I've always just cut open a cardboard box, and made a sheet. Lay everything out, tack it in place, take it off, check angles, and then weld it solid.

on the hijack... just bought a 8m off a lass who said it was a bit much for her in the bug, no specifics, tho... Seen a video of hers and it looks like she can bug allright... (not that i know what i'm talking about yet) The only thing I've heard about the NPW is a quick report of someone at NABX buggying with a big one in light winds on no lines, directly off the handles, reckon that would take finesse! Mind you I'm no buggier...

on the main subject (again, all imho) have a look at popeyethewelder's detailed photos of the construction of his terminator buggy... the man's a craftsman and the background photos of his build show what he did to make sure it all came out right, fullsize drawings right behind many of the metal bits! think about it, if you can't make the drawings, don't build the bug. If you make the drawings and still don't feel confident, maybe that's the time to try the PVC...

I'd say the thought was enough to entertain but any more than thought is likely not so brilliant. I guess if I figure the $$ spent on the PVC, the time spent and the fact that at the end of the day it's completely useless (unless I tap in a garden hose hose fitting to make the world's first buggy sprinkler) it loses all logic. Thanks for the feedback gang (and PW). I think I'll just man up and make sure I try Paul's bug before I go to the local metal store (where ever that is). ;-)

The pvc would help you get the angles and lengths right. You would actually have a frame to sit within and make changes to rails rubbing your legs and a back support that is too close or too short. You can even bend it by heating it. You could make a mock up to see what you are going to have before wasting any metal. I'm a cad guy and I don't build anything till I have already drawn it on cad. The 3 dimensional bends of buggy rails are tough to see on the computer and even tougher to see if they fit your body. The pvc might be a cheap way ($2-3) to go through the paces once so your metal buggy is your second try and prolly much more like you would want it. Like you say though, if you have a buggy to try and just want to copy it with small changes, you can have a good end result.

if you have doubt on certain joints/angles or complex fixtures a mock up well worth it for that section, the length would be a waste..

it would help with making the holding jigs.

If you mock it up with PVC how are you going to mock the bends? With PC you are limited to 45 and 90 deg. bends.

I guess it would work if thats how you plan on welding it.

i've seen many pvc's over the years....could you please save for a metal one!!! I like you and don't think customs would let you into the U.S. with PVC sticking out of your butt.

Very observant Furbs, and you are exactly right . If you cannot draw a full scale version in 2D ,both side and orthographical views. I doubt it will turn out right.It is easy to change a drawing,not so easy to rework metal. If ya' need someone to bounce ideas off of , I'm here. WG

Quote:

Originally posted by BeamerBob The pvc would help you get the angles and lengths right. You would actually have a frame to sit within and make changes to rails rubbing your legs and a back support that is too close or too short. You can even bend it by heating it.

This really works. I've watched my dad do it several times. It will take alot of bend with heat.

yeah, and if the math don't jive, you just erase it! Not rebuy it!

Quote:

Originally posted by macboy I'd say the thought was enough to entertain but any more than thought is likely not so brilliant. I guess if I figure the $$ spent on the PVC, the time spent and the fact that at the end of the day it's completely useless (unless I tap in a garden hose hose fitting to make the world's first buggy sprinkler) it loses all logic. Thanks for the feedback gang (and PW). I think I'll just man up and make sure I try Paul's bug before I go to the local metal store (where ever that is). ;-)

i'll do a trip to argyl field this a sat or sun if the wind is decent. went out today, strange but I had steady wind direction. started with 4.5m LD and ended with 8m Ace as wind died out. cool. flew 6m Ace full on and low (low wind of course).
Paul

I'm in St Albert all day Saturday but can pack the toys out to Leduc for Sunday if that works (or we can fly in Argyll - makes no difference, whatever works best for you...you have more to lug around). Funny, I had half a U2U written after work today about to suggest I'd come out but figured the wind gods would shut that plan down so I ran out to the field with the Venom and let it yard me around until the softballers arrived and started walking through my safety zones.

Actually, I'm only in St Ab until 4pm and can come out / meet up with you after that if the wind's blowing. Let's make that Plan A (Saturday), Plan B if the wind doesn't want to play will be Sunday around noon, noon thirty.

Went to Princess Auto tonight to refresh my memory bank on available resources in case a buggy build begins ; )