No motor mount=no eMTB :(

[mjp8081]

You guys have been super helpful.

I almost have a list of everything I need, but in looking at the motors and batteries and sprockets I kind of overlooked the no motor mount source problem. I have a decent tool collection, drill press, bench grinder, tap and die set, I even have a Harbor Freight stick welder. I want to use aluminum and I have a good mental idea what it will look like, but it's going to take some amateurish metal-working. I can't weld aluminum with the stick welder, so it will bolt on, probably avoid threading anything. Luckily the Aluminum will be semi-easy to work with. From my experience with a gas powered board and 2 older electric boards, all chain driven, I know how important a rock-solid motor mount is, and that it needs some way of fine-tuning the drive tension.

Anyway, I guess the question is: Does anyone have a preferred source for some raw materials, plate aluminum/aluminium parts that can be fashioned into a bracket/mount? Or maybe schematics/blueprints?

I'm working with MBS Matrixs

As always, thanks, couldn't do it without everybody's help.

 

[chuttney1]

For materials like aluminum plates and stuff, I would stick with the 6061-T6 alloy grade. You should be able to get some if you live near an industrial area with suppliers for metal stock. Your other option is McMaster-Carr if you are in the US, but the usual stories I've read for reviews seem to vary from person to person. From this you will have to fashion the mount from the aluminum stock.

 

[thepronghorn]

I use online metals for most of my metal purchases.

 

[rs4race]

If you can find a metals supplier that is close to you there's generally a good savings to pick up vs shipping. For example onlinemetals.com has a 15% pick up discount.

 

[mjp8081]

I looked at a couple online metal suppliers and was kind of choked at the prices. I searched 1/4 aluminum and eBay came up with some really cheap prices, so be it known eBay has some great prices. Now I'm wondering how big a difference the alloy type makes.

 

[torqueboards]

I looked at a couple online metal suppliers and was kind of choked at the prices. I searched 1/4 aluminum and eBay came up with some really cheap prices, so be it known eBay has some great prices. Now I'm wondering how big a difference the alloy type makes.

More common alloys are definitely cheaper. Thicker the alloy the more expensive it is as well. You can find recycled aluminum in your area as well usually.