Is Welding Worth It?

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by Max Boord

What size rivets are you using? If its the 5/32" rivets that fit in the predrilled holes then theirs your problem.

Not so fast there - we use 5/32" rivets on almost everything, including our drive base (except this season which was brutal) and haven't had any issues.

Our team has found that drilling the correct size hole is the real key to having rivets stay in and be secure. For 5/32", you should be using either a #20 or #21 drill bit. Refer to the handy table on this page - http://www.engineersedge.com/rivet_application.htm

[Seth Mallory]

192 students has been welding for 20 years. Most of our welders learn in the in the fall with some starting the year before. Only a few have welded for years. Early on it was .125 or thicker. About 8 years ago I showed some students how to check for penetration by breaking welds with a hammer. With the increase skill due to their critiquing their own welds we now weld .062 and thicker. 192 also rivets and has found that 3/16 and 1/4 rivets work rather nice and have few problems.

[pHolmgren]

We've welded our robot for the past 2 years. When you design before you weld, it works out very well. We use aluminum TIG welds.
I would say yes, welding is very much worth it.

[SamcFuchs]

We have a student who is extremely good at welding. So, we've been welding our chassis for a very long time. Personally, I'd recommend it if you have the resources and the skills. We had 0 issues with damage to our chassis going over any of the defenses thanks to robust welds. I don't know much about it, but it seems there's a lot of depth to the skill. I'd go for it if you can.