Home-made Adventure roof rack

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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Stephen on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 09:53 am: Edit

I'm thinking of making a roof rack myself - modelling it after the 'adventure' rack.
I was thinking of using either 1/2" or 3/4" copper plumbing tubing and fittings for it.
I was previously looking into a bamboo rack but that didn't look terribly strong.
I don't have access to welding equipment - so I was thinking copper plumbing fittings and pipe would be easy because I could simply braze it together, and eventually spray bomb it.
It would be a lot cheaper than buying the OEM part.
The copper pipe appears to be quite sturdy under stress and strain.
Any thoughts/opinions/comments on this plan?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 09:59 am: Edit

If you go this way I would pop rivet the joints I would hate to see it come apart at 75MPH. You can buy a small bender that will do 1/2" thru 5/8"or 5/8 thru 1.25" from Harbor freight. I think as few joints as possible will make it look more professional. I think the bender is about 12.00 and will save you money as 90 and 45 degree joints are not cheap.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Ron on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 10:04 am: Edit

Cooper pipe is $$$$

If you use regular steel channel and are creative about it you can bolt/screw one together fairly well. Seen a few series set up like that.

Tubing is more of a pain. And for the amount you spend on copper pipes and fittings you could probably by a cheap MIG and the habour freight crap bender.

Ron

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Stephen on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 10:15 am: Edit

Rivets! Excellent idea! (i wonder if they would rust against the copper though...)
And the bender is a good thought too.
Also - this may be asking a bit much, but:
All I have are pictures of the rack. Anyone know where I could get something showing some actual measurements or dimensions?
Ron - I worked it out to about $120 cdn in materials using copper pipe - which is not too bad - considering the rack sells for $1500 cdn up here in Calgary!

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Steve (Steve2) on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 11:00 am: Edit

bamboo?!? - i gotta see that - a rattan roof rack!

best of luck either way
steve

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Robert Mann (Oldscout) on Monday, October 01, 2001 - 11:06 am: Edit

Just buy aluminum or copper or stainless pop rivets, no rust.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 04:51 am: Edit

talk about a plumbers rack....

i guess you could put a nipple on one end of that tubing and use it as an air storage device.. hehe

i dont belive this man to be serious,, and i like it.

rd

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Chris Merritt (Smokinbro) on Tuesday, October 02, 2001 - 08:09 am: Edit

Why don't you just buy a tube bender and then use 3/4" steel pipe. You could reasonably easily bend the pieces to shape, trim with a hacksaw.

Then, grab a few 20's and a case of beer and head to some little hole in the wall welding outfit.

Catch a guy on a Saturday afternoon when the boss is away - I've had plently of weldign done for the cost of a few beers.


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