Amberwolf: Many thanks, it's nice to give something back, I have learned so much from the web for my build.
Oatnet: It took me a long time, but there was design, measuring, buying my machine, learning to machine, buying a welder, learning to weld... I had to learn a lot to be able to do this. I had some machining/welding friends that were invaluable help. I'd guess it was about a week of full time work (spread out over weekends) for the actual fabrication. If I had to build a 2nd one I think I could do it in a long Saturday if all went right, say 2 or 3 to be conservative.
My machine was $600. I forget what the rotary table's price was when I bought it, but it is now $180 at Harbor Freight. The welder was about $1200 for a TIG, but a MIG would have worked and a good one would have been about 1/2 the price.
The taperlock was $250 from ElectroAuto. I put it on first, and then designed my adapter around that, so it was very easy to adjust!
I tell most folks to just buy an adapter. Here are my reasons for going the road less trod:
- I've always wanted to weld and machine something since I was a kid, so this was a great project for that.
- Race rules require I had a 1/4 inch steel scattershield, so my adapter is doing double duty for that.
- I "saved" money, but this was a secondary reason for me.
- The adapter fits my car perfectly.
The welder and machine have been great for other things:
- Custom roll bar for my gas car, saved about $500 http://explodingdinosaurs.com/rollbar/
- Custom sway bar brackeets for the gas car, saved maybe $50 http://explodingdinosaurs.com/camaroswaybarbracket/
- Fixed my mower
- Will put a roll cage in the 9Electric eventually, will save around $1000
- Fixed my neighbor's ATV
- Fixed my rear rubbing brakes (new axles were a little too long)
- Welding in a new floor in place of where the gas tank used to be
- I'll be making rear battery boxes soon
The machine and welder will easily pay for themselves, but that's not a good enough reason, you have to enjoy it! A secondary bonus is my teenage son likes welding now, he is better at it than I am.
I really like how Steve Clunn does his taperlock hubs
http://www.grassrootsev.com . He bolts it onto the motor shaft, and then machines it using the motor itself as a lathe. This guarantees the taperlock hub is squared to the axis of rotation, so you are less likely to vibrate.
If you didn't do a taperlock, what kind did you do? Have you had any trouble?