N55's spaceframe tricycle can be built at home from plans

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GeekTinker

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Sep 22, 2012, 1:32:59 AM9/22/12
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Dang! Another new project to add to my list of "want-to-do's"

http://www.gizmag.com/n55-xyz-spaceframe-vehicles/24163/ 

Ryan/baslisks

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Sep 22, 2012, 1:37:22 AM9/22/12
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I'd go for building one.

ROB K

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Sep 22, 2012, 3:05:42 PM9/22/12
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So tempting. I have wanted to make a bike.

Andrew Beals

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Sep 22, 2012, 7:24:24 PM9/22/12
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Very, very tempting, given that a bottom-of-the-market tadpole trike will run at least $750 retail.  I've been wanting a recumbent trike for a very long time (I actually got to ride the Vacuum Velocipede (on the flat), which is a standard trike configuration, but I think that the tadpole is superior).

http://www.pedersenbicycles.com/vacuum.htm


I wonder what the cost of materials would be, given that one could crib the gearsets and wheels off of  existing/inexpensive bikes for "free". 

The plans call for 20m of 25mm square Al tubing (but don't specify anything about it, other than that it's aluminum), but I went and added up all the parts (or so I thought) and I come up with less than 13m.  I probably made a mistake somewhere.  Here's my spreadsheet:

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BzHCwc4vfdX8Ql9OSHVQZ3VUUTQ


If we assume their 20m figure is accurate and that we'll need 1" tubing with 1/8" walls in 6063 (the cheap stuff, out of the three types they sell), that puts a cost for just the 1" tubing at about $350, exclusive of tax & shipping from Amazon Supply (pka Small Parts).  Switching to 1/16th" wall tubing brings costs for that tubing to under $250.  Calculating using 60" tubes, as that will accommodate the 1.5m sections used for FR_1a and FR_1b.  There are probably less expensive sources of tubing. 



Andy





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Deech

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Sep 22, 2012, 11:12:37 PM9/22/12
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So, you all do realize that we have over 20, 4'10.5" lengths of extruded aluminum 80/20, right? It's 2x2 square, so a bit larger, but it's also probably stronger. 
With a little time, you could easily adapt it to the plans. 

Their plans call for a 1500mm length as the longest tube. Thats about 4'11", so the pieces we have are just slightly shorter, but should still work with a little adjustment. Or, you could just extend the back plate back a bit and call it good. 

As far as the bike bits go, I have a bike I'd happily disassemble for the cause, we'd have to buy a longer chain, but I can cover wheels, gearing, derailer, cables, etc. 

So, what I'm saying is, we have all the parts in the space to make one right now. For free. We may need some bolts. 

-Deech

Deech

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Sep 22, 2012, 11:15:35 PM9/22/12
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Also, if someone wanted to use our parts and make one for themselves to keep, I'm sure we could arrange for an appropriate donation level to allow you to keep the parts.

-Deech

EschewObfuscation

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Sep 23, 2012, 7:45:02 AM9/23/12
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There  you go; that's the way to do it: anything lying about that doesn't go to trash or recycle should generate a donation. Maybe sometimes a nominal one of adollar or two, but we should do that on a systematic basis. May be able to create 1 or 2 or 3 "virtual memberships" that way (speaking financially).

Deech

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Sep 23, 2012, 5:18:10 PM9/23/12
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Um. I'm not sure what you're talking about, but nobody has ever just walked out with any of our parts or stuff without making some sort of donation. You may not have realized it when they did it because it's often someone who has made large donations in the past, but I'm not aware of anyone just getting stuff for nothing. 

-Deech


EschewObfuscation

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Sep 24, 2012, 8:57:35 AM9/24/12
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I wouldn't even try to keep track of such stuff regarding other people, and I bring in my own materials (sadly often even tools), but nothing of the sort was included in my newbie briefing. If it's official policy or expectation, it should be (included in newbie briefings).


GeekTinker

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Sep 24, 2012, 8:10:17 PM9/24/12
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If items are brought in by other members and offered for nothing, then membership alone should cover the cost of claiming those materials.  Anything else would only be a suggestion.

If a member brings in a material for Arch Reactor and wants to make a suggested donation cost for members to use it, that should be up to the person donating it.  I have yet to see somebody suggest this when donating an item.   

Suggesting that members make a small additional donation for the use of donated materials may not be bad idea, but I don't recall anything in the rules or by-laws of Arch Reactor that explains a process for this.  Perhaps I've missed it?

If it's not in there and you wish it to be in there, I would suggest bringing up at the next meeting for discussion and then requesting a vote on it.


Something else to consider:

If items are donated through a Free-cycle.org group, it violates the rules of Free-cycle to charge for it.  

An example would be the blue barrels that recently came in.  Those should be free for any member who claimed them without requirement of a donation.

Gene

Chris Weiss

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Sep 24, 2012, 8:30:30 PM9/24/12
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well this turned into an odd topic. I'm not sure we have any sort of
problem here that needs discussed. sure, there's idea ways, and
there's reality. reality is: we don't operate at that level of "being
organised". maybe we should, but this thread is the not that place
for that discussion.

the bike is cool, but the tubes we have might be awkwardly large for
it. Or might make it weird and awesome because of the level of
recycling involved, and something to show off that a wide range of
people would have interest in.

John Reskusich

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Sep 24, 2012, 8:32:26 PM9/24/12
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Chris +1

Deech

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Sep 24, 2012, 9:29:32 PM9/24/12
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Actually, I think the tubes are large for that particular design. However, I think they are also considerably stronger, perhaps a more minimalist design could be made with them. 


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