Side Mount Seat Brackets - DIY - sourcing the metal?

[youngsyr]

I'm looking at dropping some Exige seats into an MX-5, which requires an adaptor to fit the bottom-mounting runners from the MX-5 to the side-mounted Exige seats.

I'm looking at using right angle ("L" shaped metal) to mount to the MX-5 runners and then sheet metal to create the side bracket to mount to the upright of the right angle and the side of the seat.

I've seen this done with 6mm thick mild steel angle and 3mm thick sheet metal (also steel).

My question is: can I use either thinner metal for the right angle(5mm right angle or perhaps even thinner?) or aluminium instead of mild or stainless steel? I'm thinking weight-saving and ease of working benefits.

If aluminium is a possibility, how thick would the angle metal need to be (would 4.8mm thick be sufficient?) and how thick would the sheet metal that mounts to the side of the seat and the upright of the angle need to be?

Is there any issue with mixing aluminium and steel in the brackets?

Any other issues?

Edited by youngsyr on Saturday 3rd July 22:49

[leeeeshad]

It depends on the size/shape as to what thickness ally you'll need, do you have access to a bender or will you be making it from angle?

[WhoseGeneration]

youngsyr said:

I'm looking at dropping some Exige seats into an MX-5, which requires an adaptor to fit the bottom-mounting runners from the MX-5 to the side-mounted Exige seats.

I'm looking at using right angle ("L" shaped metal) to mount to the MX-5 runners and then sheet metal to create the side bracket to mount to the upright of the right angle and the side of the seat.

I've seen this done with 6mm thick mild steel angle and 3mm thick sheet metal (also steel).

My question is: can I use either thinner metal for the right angle(5mm right angle or perhaps even thinner?) or aluminium instead of mild or stainless steel? I'm thinking weight-saving and ease of working benefits.

If aluminium is a possibility, how thick would the angle metal need to be (would 4.8mm thick be sufficient?) and how thick would the sheet metal that mounts to the side of the seat and the upright of the angle need to be?

Is there any issue with mixing aluminium and steel in the brackets?

Any other issues?

Edited by youngsyr on Saturday 3rd July 22:49

For what use is this?
Road, or solely track?

[youngsyr]

leeeeshad said:

It depends on the size/shape as to what thickness ally you'll need, do you have access to a bender or will you be making it from angle?

Don't have access to a bender (snigger), so will be making it from angle and sheet. I'll be using the standard mounting points on the seat and on the runner. See below for a shoddy graphic:

Side:


Front:

[youngsyr]

WhoseGeneration said:

youngsyr said:

I'm looking at dropping some Exige seats into an MX-5, which requires an adaptor to fit the bottom-mounting runners from the MX-5 to the side-mounted Exige seats.

I'm looking at using right angle ("L" shaped metal) to mount to the MX-5 runners and then sheet metal to create the side bracket to mount to the upright of the right angle and the side of the seat.

I've seen this done with 6mm thick mild steel angle and 3mm thick sheet metal (also steel).

My question is: can I use either thinner metal for the right angle(5mm right angle or perhaps even thinner?) or aluminium instead of mild or stainless steel? I'm thinking weight-saving and ease of working benefits.

If aluminium is a possibility, how thick would the angle metal need to be (would 4.8mm thick be sufficient?) and how thick would the sheet metal that mounts to the side of the seat and the upright of the angle need to be?

Is there any issue with mixing aluminium and steel in the brackets?

Any other issues?

Edited by youngsyr on Saturday 3rd July 22:49

For what use is this?
Road, or solely track?

Track initially, but if the seats turn out to be comfortable, possibly road use too.

[leeeeshad]

What are the dimensions of the plate part, that will be the weak point

[youngsyr]

leeeeshad said:

What are the dimensions of the plate part, that will be the weak point

Imagine a right-angle triangle with base and height of around 20 cm, this is the part that bolts the rear of the seat (where your bum sits) to the right angle steel piece.

There is a separate mount for the front of the seat at the front of the right angle piece, also made from steel.

[Mroad]

From MSA regs Aluminium should be 5mm thick minimum and Steel 3mm minimum.
I made my seat fixings from 6mm aluminium angle and an adapted aluminium universal seat mount I had knocking around, it used 5mm aluminium plates for the side attachments.
Basically you want something like this:
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Motorsport/Seats_&am...

[Scuffers]

sort of depends on the design, but 3mm folded sheet steel is usually more than enough.