Quote:
Originally Posted by sgreco
I was under the impression that that temper is what really matters to bending. You want a soft temper to bend ideally. I was planning on using 2024-O which will bend fine. If I were to use 2024-T3 or 2024-T351 (to name common tempers of 2024) I wouldn't have as much luck. It does say that 2024 welds poorly, which is why I'm riveting the frame.
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I like your choice of 2024, but unless you use a tempered 2024 alloy, 5052-0 will bend easier and be slightly stronger in fatigue, yield, and ultimate strengths compared to 2024-0 (I looked this up on Matweb.com, great resource). Maybe make the bent pieces from thinner 5052 and make your gussets and reinforcement (like Don suggests) out of 2024-T4/T351 to utilize its strength appropriately.
You could definitely use zip-ties to tensions your chain, but a spring would probably be better. A constant-force spring or a gas spring would be great because you could maintain a constant tension on the chain. It might have to be a fairly high load spring depending on your gearing. The gas spring also has the advantage that if anything failed the spring wouldn't go flying around, they are damped.
Keep rolling with this, it's looking pretty good so far!