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#1
11-21-2009, 11:53 PM
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DIY Custom Hand Build Front Strut Bar...out of all stainless steel
Haven't seen one yet, so figured hell why not right? One of my best friends is a stainless steel fabricator ( his site: Home ) and he is always looking for the next thing to try and tackle. After a few days of me saying "you could totally crank these things out and sell em! it's not gonna be that hard!" He broke down and started working on it...if it would've shut me up! Take a look at his site, it's unreal... if anyone EVER needs artwork or car parts built from stainless, he is extremely talented and I am convinced he can conquer ANYTHING.
This is a one of a kind, custom hand built, fully tig welded stainless steel strut bar. It took him about roughly 7 hours to build from materials found at the local scrap yard. The biggest hurdle was trying to get around the abs lines / cabin filter housings on pass. side and the sensor on the drivers side. You'll notice the mounts are staggered to help fit nice and tight. We chalked the bar before finalization to see where it would rub (if anywhere) so if you see some dust around, that's what it is...no it's not coke. We placed thin rubber material on the underside of the bar in the VERY tight space between the bar and the plastic cover just in case. I am trying to get him to build more and sell them ( to help him out, get his name out there, put a few bucks in his pocket... as well as help other board members ) but unfortunately he said the time it takes probably doesn't justify the price he would have to charge. No idea what this would be worth as it is fully stainless ( STURDY AS HELL ) and hand built. This was going to the "the prototype" until he realized how much of a PITA it actually turned into, haha...mainly due to the mounts around the shock tower. (where's a plasma cutter when you need one). driving impressions? well it's a strut bar. After the h&r springs, and dinan rear sway bar, this car feels extremely sturdy. tires (and cold weather) are definately the weakest link. If anyone is interested lmk and i'll keep bugging him about it, but until then, enjoy the pictures! 1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  8.  9.  And for the stuff that he has created....well... you can enjoy that too!!! 1.  2.  3.  4.  5.  6.  7.  8.  9.  10.  11.  12.  13.  14. 
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#2
11-22-2009, 01:14 AM
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That is very good strut bar and his amazing work of art.
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#3
11-22-2009, 01:16 AM
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How much for the strut bar?
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 E39 Ugly Mugs________________________________Registry Photos
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#8
11-22-2009, 04:15 PM
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Nicely made, but what's with the stainless? It's heavy, weak, and harder to work. I suppose as an art form it is beautiful, but from an engineering standpoint it is a little lacking.
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Richard
BMW Convert Let us redefine "progress" to mean that just because we CAN mod a thing, it does not necessarily follow that we MUST mod that thing.
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#9
11-22-2009, 07:28 PM
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haha yeah im not feelingthe offset bends but i wouldnt mind a cheap and good strutbar...
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#10
11-22-2009, 08:30 PM
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Quote:
weak and hard to work with? well clearly that's what he works with every day so it wasn't hard for him, and weak? doubt it. I would personally take something made from stainless steel any day over aluminum, but that's just me...i've seen too many aluminum bars you can bend over your knee to be satisfied with it
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#11
11-22-2009, 09:04 PM
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Quote:
Quote:
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NNY528i, '97 528i, 156200 miles, Hella Xenons, 17" Stilauto wheels, Vogtland Drop Springs, Dynomax Race Muffler
BFC OT Lego Club #48  Last edited by NNY528I; 11-22-2009 at 09:06 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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#12
11-22-2009, 09:18 PM
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I said "harder" not "hard". Honestly for strength I would prefer it made of steel not aluminum. Chromoly steel at 185ksi vs 73ksi for 304 stainless with equal density and stiffness. Stainless has very low yield strength - when deformed, it does not take as much force to make a permanent change in its shape. It does not "spring back" to its original shape. Plus chromoly is easier to work, cheaper, and can be heat-treated to retain its strength after welding.
Since you bring up aluminum I feel it necessary to point out that it has been a staple of the aerospace industry. It's tensile strength and stiffness are lower than that of steel but the density is much lower so this can be offset by enlarging the member (hehe) and you will have an equally strong part with approximately 40% reduction in weight. Given the tight clearance in the engine bay, I would not go with this route. Additionally, the bulk of aluminum's strength is often derived from the specific heat-treatment applied which is immediately negated when it is welded (bad). An aluminum bar in this application would be quite weak indeed given the small welded areas that would be transmitting the force and the localized weaknesses there. Your strut bar will definitely be a conversation starter and will impress a lot of people. There is no doubt that the fabrication work is excellent. You should polish it! Stainless takes a great polish. However, for the application, the price and function of the product will be lacking. I'll keep my stainless where it belongs: kitchen knives and exhaust tubing. Quote:
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Richard
BMW Convert Let us redefine "progress" to mean that just because we CAN mod a thing, it does not necessarily follow that we MUST mod that thing. Last edited by billzcat1; 11-22-2009 at 09:29 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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#13
11-22-2009, 10:55 PM
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Nonetheless, very impressive.
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Oxford Green 1998 540i/6
BMWCCA Member No. 425591 For Sale: OEM 540i sport springs - $100 shipped 
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#16
11-23-2009, 12:08 AM
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jason-
we looked at that one asa template as well, small world eh
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#17
11-23-2009, 12:13 AM
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Quote:
 I thought your bar had similarities/ looked familiar... Your stainless bar is awesome though! If I had the money, I would get the Dinan strut bar, even though it's hinged, I still think it looks amazing!
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#19
11-23-2009, 08:40 AM
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what i've noticed with many shops is this: they cannot weld aluminum. Seriously, whether they just haven't learned, or they don't have the proper equipment. I have seen alot of shops resort to using stainless for forced-induction charge pipes, brackets, fittings, etc. etc. simply because they can't work with aluminum.
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#20
11-23-2009, 09:10 AM
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you guys hear about the race this weekend? yeah, identical cars and everything, just one guy had an aluminum strut bar and the other guy had the stainless...man the guy with the aluminum bar just seemed to have the upper edge. oh well...
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#21
11-23-2009, 09:27 AM
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it's suits its purpose just fine - i wouldn't complain. I was noting my experiences - i think strut bars are a waste to begin with
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#22
11-23-2009, 09:32 AM
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well when you put a cage in everything they are!!
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#23
11-23-2009, 09:45 AM
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Nice bar!
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#24
11-23-2009, 01:39 PM
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Ss bar
Quote:
LOVELY TO LOOK AT wrong material for chassis structural load member go to MASONENGINEERING.NET for materials physical properties charts
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#25
11-24-2009, 07:26 AM
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interested in the bar!
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