Anything welding

True. It's hard to want to practice just to practice though. I rather do a practice weld or two for a position I haven't done before or something I may be rusty on then go to town. My practice pieces are looking a little ridic right now. One giant piece of metal with random shit welded to it.

 

Yeah I hear you, I don't really practice just to practice anymore either. I just practice by doing at this point. Though I really should, since practice isn't going to hurt anything.

 

I’ve Been doing fitup on the wedge camper frame all week, finally getting close. With all the sides angled differently it’s been a real pain getting everything squared up and aligned properly.

I got everything good minus one corner last night (one tube was sitting ~1/4” low). Finally realized this morning I never checked if my porch is level and I’m aligning the top frame with the bottom using plumb bob measurements. Turns out that corner was in a low spot so I’m Going to shim the fixture up level and hopefully get it set tonite.

Then cutting the corner uprights tonight as well so hopefully I can get this all tacked together tomorrow. Progress should speed up a lot after that, ready to stop measuring and start welding!

 

@plurpimpin Nice welding fixture you made; the metal will be the same!

 

Thanks, I spent more on the lumber than the steel hahaha... still WAY cheaper than a go fast camper though.

 

Not a whole lot of pictures in here lately. Here’s some Zappy zaps from a slider install I did recently.

 

Hey, piling those up like that, are you not worried you'll bend them

 

Great video here on topic.
Zim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCaG5N39mU0

 

bend them? I hope it’ll take a bit more force to bend them than that, ha. They got wrapped and dropped off down the street at the galvanize place

 

I’m in the process of building sliders and debating between building bolt on or weld on.

what’s everyone’s take on welding sliders on the layered areas of the c-channel frame? Wouldn’t be able to get paint in those areas when the paint melts off from the welds.

 

Being in Alabama, I wouldn’t be too concerned. I had my sliders welded on like two years ago and frame still looks great.

 

Weld for sure. But make sure the slider leg is attached to a square or rectangle piece of material. Makes it easier to weld onto the vehicle instead of a tube, and more surface area of weld makes it stronger

 

I got no issue with it. As long as you keep up on your maintenance inspections.

I do think about the required welding needed though. In the pic you posted the slider bracket is welded all the way around the bracket. At 60,000 lbs of shear force per inch of weld, there is no way that weld will be the weak link. My thoughts are when it comes to removal. That job is gonna suck big time.

I tend to do every job with mind set that the customer is gonna change their mind in the future. I weld with a plan that I may have to cut those sliders off. It has happened.

I don't think I would do complete welds all the way around. I might do a single 2" weld on one side then do a 2" weld on the opposite side. and weld a 2" weld on the bottom If the customer changes their mind, all I have to do is thin cut the short welds and the bracket will be able to fold down by swatting it with a big hammer.

I've done enough job where I was asked to make things back to the way they were. I hate it when I realize that I way over built something and I kick my own ass trying to undo my massive welds.

Secondly, I would rather have more of the original frame material not welded on. I know enough about the composition of the frame material, that I would rather keep it unmolested. I worry that some insurance adjuster is going to refuse a claim because I have altered the frame composition by welding on it. Also less area would need the paint removed to weld.

You asked and I'm at work away from my shop and bored out of my mind.

I don't think you need to worry about the paint integrity. You already know going into the project that you will need to do paint maintenance. 99% of the people who own these truck never ever go under them. I'm guessing you are no stranger to crawling around under your tacoma.

 

Whipped up some radius arms for my 81 yesterday

 

Before it was wiped down with WD40

 

Nothing special but I took two things and made it one thing.

Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr
Untitled by Michael Halat, on Flickr

Big boy tank is dangerously low but still not out. At least I got the little guy as back up.

 

I really need to get myself some of those clamps. Do you have a link?

 

I got them on Amazon, but it took fucking forever and found out they are just the HF ones:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0787XV8SX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Which are just 2 of these: And now that I see it on HF's site I also see I ridiculously over paid too.

Oh well, win some, lose some.

 

Awesome, thanks man.

 

Eastwood has them too, probably more money.
Zim
https://www.eastwood.com/intergrip-...MI9Zz0tfHt6gIVjIbACh16igcVEAQYASABEgKzXfD_BwE