question about frame building

i am wanting to build a modified, and i have access to about 75 feet of free 2x2x 1/4 in steel, i know that most people build frames out of 2x3 or 2x4, so my question is this, can i stack the 2x2 and weld it together to build a 2x4 frame or am i asking for trouble? any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

sounds like alot of welding .

 

You can.
It will end up around the same stiffness as a 2x4,only heavier.

OR,you could make a double rail chassis,with verticals to tie the tubes together.Then you sit down between the rails.

 

That's a lot of welding indeed. Technically though.... you couild do it. You may spend more on welding wire and abrasives than if you were to just buy 2x3 or 2x4 tubing. It's not terribly expensive and IMHO the "correct" way of doing it.

Just by comparison, I stacked a 1x2 on top of a portion of my frame and welded it. It took forever to make the welds (keep in mind you don't want to warp anything) and cleaning up the welds was a whole nother ball game. Honestly, even after cleaning it all up and smoothing out the seem, it STILL needs a lot of attention!

Just my opinion based on the experience I mentioned.

EDIT: Unkl Ian's idea is a good one though.

 

If your not experianced at this you could end up with a pretty warped mess. But if the price was right, I would do something along these lines:

 

thanks, i was thinking about the welding time and clean up also, i just thought if i could use all the free steel i would, i guess ill suck it up and buy the right stuff

 

If it's free take it,... You could use the 2"x2" anyway for other areas, you still come out ahead.

 

take the 2x2 and use it for other things. 1/4 wall is to heavy

 

Your'e going to end up spending at least $4-5,000 minumum building a modified. A couple hundred for the frame material that best fits the style of rod you are building is a good investiment.

 

Usually 1/8 wall thickness will work for a small block (on the street!) in either 2 x 3 or 2 x 4. use 3/16ths if you plan to be rough on it.

 

Considering the price scrap is bringing right now, take the 2x2 to the ''yard'', use the money to buy two 10ft. or whatever legnths you need of 2x4- 1/8 wall and use the change for beer or welding supplies.

 

Take the 2" x 2". Use it to build a nice workbench and other stuff for your shop. And as traiding material. A double run of 1/4" wall tubing is going to add a lot of unnecessary weight.

 

make a nice frame table out of the 2x2, to use the 2x4 on

 

Labor cost the most for me my time is valuable these days .If I can not use the right materials I wait .Free or cheap can get you into a lot of trouble when building cars . .My 2 cents Good luck