Attaching Things on WCD

[R.C.]

Originally Posted by asid61

I never got the point of that. Why would they weld after gusseting? Gussets are pretty strong and can be removed if there is a problem.

Many teams use gussets as a jig for welding. We pretty much always gusset before welding, it makes life a lot easier.

[Mike Marandola]

Originally Posted by asid61

I never got the point of that. Why would they weld after gusseting? Gussets are pretty strong and can be removed if there is a problem.

Probably for just added security. As you can see, they welded the gussets on the parts that need to be strong such as the main center frame and the pickup. It would also be a lot easier to keep the gussets positioned on the tubing during welding if they are riveted first.

[DampRobot]

Originally Posted by R.C.

Many teams use gussets as a jig for welding. We pretty much always gusset before welding, it makes life a lot easier.

Then the real question is why weld? You've already got the gusset, and I can't think of a time when I saw a gusset fail in a way a weld wouldn't.

[asid61]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

Then the real question is why weld? You've already got the gusset, and I can't think of a time when I saw a gusset fail in a way a weld wouldn't.

That's what I was thinking. According to one of our older mentors, welding actually reduces the strength of aluminum unless it's heat treated afterwards.
I've never welded before though, so I wouldn't know myself.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by asid61

That's what I was thinking. According to one of our older mentors, welding actually reduces the strength of aluminum unless it's heat treated afterwards.
I've never welded before though, so I wouldn't know myself.

Welding can reduce the strength of aluminum in terms of overall material properties, but that is a lot different than saying a welded joint is less strong than a riveted gusseted joint.