Homemade skid plates?

See sig for how much money I have lol

 

If you know someone with a welder, all you need is a 12 pack of beer.

I’ve thrown a few sparks for less, lol.

But don’t use a hammer, it will end up looking terrible.

 

I can weld decently. Took a class in college. Just need the welder. Its on my list.

 

Are you married? Tell the wife you’ll totally make her some lawn ornaments or some patio furniture like I did. lol

 

My wifes smart. I got her on board for rock sliders then mentioned how far ill be driving for them.... Im still getting them, but shes not happy about it lol

 

It is definately an investment that pays for itself. I’ve definitely saved more than the cost of my welder. I have a Lincoln 125HD flux core welder. Not the best or most powerful, and I need to make multiple passes on the thicker stuff, but I saved nearly $400 on my CBI bumper kit alone (vs $900 for an assembled Moab 1.0)

When you add in the fact I spent like $250 for my weld-on 4xInnovations sliders (vs. $800+ for some of the bolt-ons I’ve seen), and like $50 for some 3/16ths plate for my skids (vs the $800+ for store bought ones) I’ve easily saved a ton of money just on these projects, and that’s ignoring the gates I’ve built for the house, and other random projects.

 

I was looking at a Hobart Handler 140 Refurb for ~$400. Should be a good entry level welder.
Whoa where are you getting steel that cheap? I priced out a sheet of 3/16" and it was $96 for just a piece for the IFS skid! Still a savings but dang.
I want to build out custom front and rear bumpers and make a swing out for the rear at some point on down the line. If it went well, maybe start producing small quantities of them for sale. Big dreams lol

 

I might have undersold myself there a little bit, but I just got some scrap pieces that were a take-off of someone else's large job. I was buying a bunch of 2" square tube for a gate I'm building, so I kinda just threw out a number.

I like my Lincoln 125, I almost regret not getting the 140 since it can be converted to gas. I think I paid ~$400 from Home Depot. If you can get a 140 for that price, I'd go for it.

With my bumper, I first started by grinding a taper in some of the pieces that fit tightly together so I could get better penetration, but there are only a few spots I needed to do that, and even then, I probably didn't *have* to since I'll be hitting the seams from both sides anyway. Most of the pieces fit at pretty high angles so penetration is easy, I might just have to do a couple passes.

If I get another welder, it'd be a 240 with gas, but so far this has done everything I've asked of it.

 

If i get another after the hobart, It'll be a dual purpose tig/stick.

 

You can rent a welder from Home Depot for 24 hrs ~$50

 

Really? Didn't know. Knew you could rent power tools but never thought a welder.

 

Went to get a sheet of metal to make a skid I didn’t know there was so many choices for metal hot rolled cold rolled ect. ect. What are type of metal are you guys using?

 

I bought Hot Rolled Steel Plate/Sheet A36

 

Yup, hot rolled A36 plate is what you're looking for. There are lots of options, but that's the norm.

 

Cool I got the right one then thanks

 

Things are coming together. Finished plasma cutting front skid. Pick up steel today for mid and rear skids.

 

How’d the bends come out perforated with the plasma like that. I’m trying the whiskey bend on a 1/4 in and it’s kinda tough to say the least lol

 

Haven't bent the steel yet. Work six 17 hour days in the last week. Maybe tonight and tomorrow night I will be able to work on it.

First impressions I think it is going to be easier than I thought. Will update soon.

 

What are you using the 1/4" for?

Might try cutting both sides, though.

 

1/4” is for the front skid. I’ve seen people use both 3/16” or 1/4” so I opted for the thicker. I only want to make it once. It was challenging but I got it done only cutting a little over half way thru, or that’s what I was aiming for some of my cut was a little deeper. Then out came bessy lol a big 24” pipe wrench for leverage