What's the optimal way to attach stuff to a tube in a tube frame car? I assume drilling a hole, and tapping it or using a nutsert isn't great, but maybe it's ok? Stuff would be things like gauges or shift lights or floors or firewalls, etc.
I see a lot of stuff attached with zip ties, and that's fine, but is there a preferred method? I'd like it to be detachable, so welding is out.
For a challenge car, so NHRA rules generally apply if it matters.
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
Weld a tab and bolt to that?
Hose clamps also work pretty well.
Zip ties and weld tabs with holes for bolts. On the cheap you can make/buy pipe clamps that fit your tube OD
I second the tab.
You could also go with collars like these https://www.mcmaster.com/collars/clamping-shaft-collars-9/
There is an almost limitless assortment of brackets available.
Here are just a few on Amazon.
Cooter said:There is an almost limitless assortment of brackets available.
Here are just a few on Amazon.
How did I not know this? And also how did I not google that term... THANK YOU!
One of my peeves with people who own single seaters is they are forever drilling holes in the square tube on the chassis, be it for the floor pan, dash or brake bias adjuster.........................weld a tab or buy the clamps.
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
No worries.
Just remember my endless kindness and infinite knowledge when a mysterious stranger who looks remarkably like me comes calling to borrow a mini mill.
Those LED light mounts are pretty handy. You can use them to mount your soundbar to your TV stand for example:
I'm also using 2.5" clamps to mount auxiliary reverse lights to my round tube trailer hitch. They have tons of uses!
Drilling holes in roll structure is a no-no.
If you want relatively strong brackets, do a search on summit or your favorite parts supplier for "ballast brackets" they are cheap and more substantial than the led light mounts on amazon.
A&A Manufacturing is where you want to look. Send for one of their catalogs and you will be amazed at what they have to offer.
Our switch panel, right side mirror, and cluster are attached to the rollbar on our crapcar with muffler clamps. I welded some all thread to the flat part of the clamp. It has worked well for several years.
There are some good, solid clamps that are readily available from a lot of sources. On the tube-frame Miata my buddy just finished, he just welded small-diameter "stands" for gages, etc. Kinda hard to see, but if you zoom in on the pic you can see it better.
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