A Dads Work shop / Getting started part 2

Part 2 Reinforcing the tub of the half a car (lotus 7)

reinforcing the tub is a must as MDF is not the greatest for putting screws in to the end grain, putting screws in to the end or side grain will split it and being 9mm thick is not ideal. using a 18mm square batoning around the edges helps using glue and screws about every 4 inches, belt and braces this has held well with holding the 2 boys and me on my own.

using car body filler for the gaps also helps reinforce the joints as it is epoxy bases. i have used steel bracketing on the joint from the cockpit to the engine bay to reinforce this joint. looking back i would cut the angel in the table saw and glue screw and filler it should be as strong

the back is reinforced the same way is the more or less using 2 part epoxy and screws
the back axle holes are drilled to 20mm before fitting to the tub as this will align the holes in the same place both sides, this worked ok but later on had to go to 22mm as this gave a bit of wiggle room

this gives a better view of the tub, its very strong and only really supported by the cawl in top with 2 dowels and 4 screws. this later on i will show how i have had to change this as when i started my son was 7 and now he is 11 so he doesn't fit it now but the 2 smalls fit

till my next blog get out there and make something

Dad