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Old 03-04-2016, 02:25 PM   #38 (permalink)
Bicycle Bob
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: N. Saskatchewan, CA
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Appliance White - '93 Geo Metro 4-Dr. Auto
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard View Post
What would you think of a 'buckboard' made from a sheet of bamboo plywood with L-shaped slots so the four corners are articulated A-arms? The width of the arm would depend on the Modulus of Elasticity of the plywood.
Those sound like very short, weak swing arms to me. If you had another set, about one wheel radius above the first, you might have reasonable A-arms. Bamboo or wood, plywood would not have an efficient arrangement of fibers to take the stress. Designs for unreinforced wood spring suspension do use much of the wheelbase for the large springs needed, so I'd be more enthusiastic about a plywood pan chassis that flexes overall, and has reinforced corners hung from solid axles.
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