How to Connect a Tube to a Car
Tubes have a long history in automobiles, and although they are much less common today, they have many benefits. They hold air better, reduce the risk of flat tires and make it easier to change a tire. They are also more durable and resistant to rust than traditional tires.
Connecting a tube to your car
The first thing you’ll need is the right tubing. There are three different kinds of tubing that are commonly used for structural automotive fabrication. The first is ERW (Electronic Resistance Welding) tubing, which is made from steel that has been welded along its entire length by a machine similar in operation to a spot welder.
ERW tubing is often used for racecar frames and other high-stress parts such as sway bars and suspension components. The other two types of tubing are hard, black nylon tubing and stainless steel tubing. The latter is typically used for fuel-feed lines in late-model production cars.
Cut a Straight Line
When welding a tube into your car, you need to make sure that it’s perfectly straight and level. This will ensure that the welds don’t weaken and crack while you’re bending them.
To do this, you will need to cut a straight line with a saw, drill or sand cutter, or some other means of creating a consistent shape. You may need to grind some of the rough edges off, or use a file to get it smooth.
If the piece is too large, you can use a bender that stretches the tubing, but remember to do it evenly! If you aren’t sure what bender to buy, check online or ask a friend for advice.
Weld the Tube
To weld a tube to your car, you will need to weld it to a base plate or frame rail, or to another piece of tubing that is already there. The type of weld you choose will depend on what your goal is. There are two basic types of welds you’ll need to run: one is a “straight cut” where you mount the tube to a flat surface, and the other is a “fishmouth cut” where you’ll need to wrap the open end of the first tube around the body of the second.
Fishmouth cuts can be a little difficult to cut, and you may need to use a grinder to get them clean. But if you’re willing to take the time, they can be an effective way to weld a tube to your car.
When welding your tube, you will want to make sure that you aren’t using a spot welder with too low an output. This can result in a weaker weld and possibly cracked or broken seams while bending the tube.
You should also be careful when using a spot welder with high output because it can cause an electrical shock if you’re not careful. This can happen if you accidentally touch the hot wire to your hand while holding the handle.