General Fabrication

ive started this thread after talking it over with a mod about opening a actual all new topic area under the "garage" section. It would be nice for alot of you that have fabrication and design questions to have somewhere to go where experienced fabricators can help you out as best as we can. I (and i hope WE) all know that everyone has to start somewhere and no one is born with the ability to lay perfect welds and fabricate a trophy truck out of the womb. so lets keep this topic fresh and no bullshit. this is a place to ask for help so no flaming people.


On another note. along with that last sentence you just read, i have to shoot a disclaimer out to all posting here as well. no fabricator is going to give you every measurement and detail you need to design something the way we do. that would then defeat the purpose of us being able to make money off of the skills we have dedicated years to learn. so please dont come in here asking if we can give you every little detail of how to build something. remember.. this is fabrication.. if you have to ask for that much help, whatever your building you probably dont have the complete understanding of how it works and you may potentially seriously harm someone! so remember.... stay within your comfort level and i hope to help give some of you the many experiences i have had through trial and error.

 

Good idea. I'm a developing garage fabricator right now. My question is:

What tool do you find best for cutting large pieces of flat steel (up to 1/4''). Right now I use cut off saw and angle grinder for all my cutting, and it can get tedious. I was looking at larger, metal cutting bandsaws but they are damn expensive; basically in the plasma cutter range.

 

X2 on the good Idea


Plasma cutter FTW on plate steel that will be one of my next investments.

 

How difficult is it to cut a straight line with a plasma cutter?

 

With a guide it's not hard at all. Just clamp a stick of bar stock to your plate and run it along the bar stock with a guide/drag shield on your touch. That's the way Ive done it but I'm sure there are some guys with other ideas.

This is going to be a great thread

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7hIjnzJBnA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7tOAASitPU&feature=related

 

subd

 

Cutting materials that thick I would have to say either way you will need to be saving for a plasma cutter. I did the cutting with a hand grinder thing for a while and it will get old. Go on your local craigslist and see if anyone has a mid grade plasma for sale. Will speed shit up 20 fold.

 

How about tube notching, what's your preferred method? I've been using the chop saw/grinder method and it's tedious.

 

a fab section would be cool. im trying to find someone local to make me front shock hoops

 

I got this from Summit and it just won't die. It has cut thousands of notches, still on the original holesaw. The bearing is getting worn out and it's not as precise as when new, but still works good. Can't beat it for $69.95. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HCK-SPPIPE/

 

i've got a similar one from JD squared and it works Great.

Good idea with the thread also

 

Oxy/fuel cutting torch if you can't afford a plasma cutter

 

Yea I use the pro tools industrial notcher. I love the thing and it usa never served me wrong.

 

You guys have got me wanting a plasma cutter bad now. I wanted one before, but I thought they were more expensive and had a steeper learning curve. I've been seeing them on craigslist for $400.

Think my next truck related purchase will have to be delayed so I can pick up a plasma cutter and tube notcher.

Username, are you using a woodward tube bender as well? I noticed they were $299 plus $99 for the stand on that link you posted.

 

I didn't know that they made a bender at that price or I would have bought that instead of this one- http://www.tjdieselperformance.com/servlet/the-150/tube-bender-tubing-bender/Detail
I actually just sold mine for $40 (moving)

 

^^^ how did it do bending .120 wall dom?

 

Dang I've never seen one of those actually work. I went with the pro tools hydro bender. Thing is Fucking tits and all compressor powered.

 

It works, but it'll make a man out of you. A cromo .120 wall 90* bend will result in muscle failure. The protools hydro is light years ahead of this pos, but the end result is the same. For guys that just do one or two bumpers a month it will get the job done, but if you have the cash get something else. The only cool thing about the affordablebender is that it's portable and doesn't require a stand. I can build a bumper in a the middle of the desert with my readywelder, the bender, and a cordless drill powering the tubing notcher.

 

hit up Chris, aka Tacorunner87 here on TW... he is in your neck of the woods...

 

ohh yeahhh haha forgot about chris. we could probably do it when we do my rear shock mounts i have a picture of your truck on mine...