thank you both for the compliments!

@ timtim2008: welding would save some weight, yes. however, if I recall some of the properties of aluminum alloys, would require a type of heat treatment to relieve stresses at the joints. Otherwise would be prone to cracking near the weld.

@ CrimsonEclipse: no, I don't work for Grumman, but I do understand their philosophy. "Anything worth doing, is worth overdoing".


As I don't have close access to a welder (Yet!) or annealing oven (welder access involves a 50 mile trip), most anything I do will be with screwed fishplates for now.

Not being a school trained engineer, I do rely on the local library and internet for materials properties.

I have been told that if I were to make a production model of this hitch/rack, I could easily sell them for $ 250 - $300 in places like St Louis or Kansas City. I'd venture to bet they would go over big in places like Portland OR as well.

@ Bosscat: Yes, that swivel looks like it would work rather well, but appears to require welding. Not that I can't weld, but as noted above, access is limited at this time.