In the next couple of weeks I will be ordering the materials to build a frame for a from scratch board tracker. A problem I've run into is figuring out what the minimum bend radius for a 1" OD, .120 walled mild steel tube is if filled with wet sand and pressed around a wood form, which would likely be made from a hardwood. The ghetto-ness of the method of bending I want to use is because I'm working with a rather limited budget and don't really have the money to even buy harbor freight's tube roller.
I've considered, and always disregarded, making the majority of the frame from square tubing and having no bends, but very angular joints that would be cut and welded back together. This would cut down on material costs and also make fabrication a lot simpler. Cutting and welding together joints could also be done with round tubing, but with added difficulty in ensuring everything is lined up properly.
I would prefer to use round tubing and bend the significant tubes for aesthetic reasons, but what is your all's opinion on the matter? Would it be horribly ugly to have a "board tracker" that departs from the classic look by having no bends in it? Would it be completely unacceptable to use square tubing?
I've considered, and always disregarded, making the majority of the frame from square tubing and having no bends, but very angular joints that would be cut and welded back together. This would cut down on material costs and also make fabrication a lot simpler. Cutting and welding together joints could also be done with round tubing, but with added difficulty in ensuring everything is lined up properly.
I would prefer to use round tubing and bend the significant tubes for aesthetic reasons, but what is your all's opinion on the matter? Would it be horribly ugly to have a "board tracker" that departs from the classic look by having no bends in it? Would it be completely unacceptable to use square tubing?
