Midstates round tube frame pics

[ChrisL]

Does anyone have some good pics of the Midstates round tube frame and also any pics of there rectangular frame. There web sites pics are not that good and I am now trying to compare the the 2 frames from midstates to the shell valley frame and decide if the midstates frames are any better or any beefier . Does anyone have an opinions on which frame my be better from midstaes the round or the rectangular. Trying to select a kit is rather tough , I now have it between Shell Valley and Midstates. Thanks again Chris

[Gregg(What's his name)?]

My first cobra was a Mid STates. So, I would say stick with them. They have a wonderful frame. I wish I had pistures of my frame to show you. But Bob is a great guy to do business with. Good Luck !

Gregg h

[ItBites]

My Midstates is built round tube and the wall thickness was custom beefed (talk to Bob Kallio) to 1/4 inch for extra stiffness.

At the time (1992) the Midstates was way superior to the Shell Valley in my opinion (as I recall the shell valley was square tube).

I would go with the Midstates round tube and have the main tube thickness beefed. I've put a lot of power to the ground for along time and the body and frame are mint (except for the body repairs after being put into the wall at well over 100mph at Heartland Park - but thats another story). Thinking of that, the suspension arms were all bent, shocks broven etc, but the frame never moved. The alignment is still with minimal shims that are symmetrical. A good testament to the strength of this frame.

BTW I have a lot of photos, but they are not digital and I have no way to get them onto the confuser - sorry. If I could get your address somehow without the whole world knowing it, I'd send one or two to you.

You could also call Bob Kallio and see if he has any good photos he could send. I really like Bob and he has always helped with anything he could. The Midstates family is absolutely the best.

[Chris Portinga]

Check my photo's and shoot me an email. I'll reply with a few pics. Go with Kallio! Goodluck!

[zipzip]

Chris,

I put a few pics of my frame in my gallery, you can check them out there. Sorry, but I don't have any of the round tube chassis.

A round tube chassis is "supposedly" stronger than an equivalent wall thickness rect tube. I guarantee that you will not have to worry about strength in this chassis.

As Bob pointed out to me, the rect tube is a little easier to add brackets, bolt holes, etc to mount various hardware. It has turned out handier I'd say.

I visited both Shell Valley and Midstates before I decided (an easier thing to do these days... ) and thought that the Midstates looked like a stronger chassis - the SV seemed just fine but the MS met the "eyeball" test.

I'm biased, but I'd buy the rect tube from Midstates....

[ELGEE]

My Midstates square tube is now 15 yrs old-nary a crack bend or any other deformity--suspension pickup points look as good as new-and you will Never find better people to work with !!

[slithering]

ChrisL,

I went with the rectangle frame for one reason, it's much easier to mount your necessary components to. I believe the Midstates frame is far ahead of all other frames, rectangular or round. That's why I went with them. The frame is the foundation to a successful build. I'll be posting pics soon. Hope this helps.

Chris-
slithering

[sharpe 1]

I have had my Midstates since 1991. Bob is a very helpful person as is his staff. I looked at the Shall Valley at their plant and the Midstates at their plant before I made the buy. I think the Midstates frame is far better than the latter.I would buy another
if I were in the market.

[wicked fast]

First,
we need to change your name to "luckydog"
beause of CSX3240 !!!! very cool !!

Second,
what did you use to grind, polish, or clean
your frame ?? very nice !!

Third,
what did you paint your frame with ???

Best,
Bill Cook

[zipzip]

Wicked:

Luckydog indeed! And the guy lives right across the street from one of my relatives! Man am I going to see a lot more of them! Hey, maybe they have an extra room I could move into...

The grinding was all elbow grease and a 4-1/2" grinder. I ended up with the 60 grit flapdisk (Harbor freight about $2 a piece) after trying a few different methods and grits. The paint was 1 coat POR-15 underneath and 1 coat chassis coat black (from same company). Here's the link http://www.prp-porstore.com/page/por15/PROD/Topcoats/CC Just remember to WEAR GLOVES WHEN WORKING WITH THIS STUFF! Man, does it stick!