Took a stab at building a bumper today. (pic heavy)

Dustin Songer · 06-01-2008, 09:29 PM

Well, i thaught i would try it. Now before everyone starts yelling at me cuz im not using 1.25 dom blah blah tubing and my welds suck and im only using factory mounts and "wheres the winch at?" I dont have the money, tools nor the skills to justify using the dom stuff. My welding sucks i know, noones ever taught me i just started doing it in my driveway one day. This is my first real "fab" as far as im concerned and i just wanted to see if i counld make something "mean looking with no real plan. and i like what i made so there haha.

this is what i started with...

then i made a second set of tabs and a second bar for the base

then i made this square thingy and welded it to the bars at almost the same angle as the maximum approach angle...

then i added another part above that stuff and back...

then i braced it to the front box thing...

then i bent a couple peices to go around the side

then i braced that from the bottom...

then the top...

and that was it for tonight

Tomorrow im going to finish welding all the back side stuff and paint it all, i might add some more cuz my girlfriend had a couple ideas of what i could add to the top but we'll see what it looks like painted and whatnot.

crolison · 06-01-2008, 09:42 PM

that does not look like it would hold up to much, no one said anything about DOM, all my stuff is HREW at it does good. and 1.25" is too small, 1.5" is where its at. At least you did all the work yourself, looks like you had a fun little project.

**Elvota** · 06-01-2008, 10:03 PM

A for effort.

We all have to start somewhere...

fillsrunner4 · 06-01-2008, 11:29 PM

I think thats gonna be only able to hold lights and if you hit it your done.

DeathCougar · 06-01-2008, 11:55 PM

Good start. Here are my pointers:

1. Use bigger tube. That tiny bar isn't going to hold up to anything. It cant hold a winch, and if you hit anything its going to fold like toothpicks.

2. Work on your welding. I know you are just starting...but those booger welds look like you were not getting any penetration

3. In reference to #1, when you go larger, don't use solid bar

dirtoyboy · 06-02-2008, 06:24 AM

im speechless

and a little scared

I would try to offer help but I dont even have the slightest idea where to start

Dustin Songer · 06-02-2008, 07:42 AM

haha i know its bad as far as strength and i should have used different stuff but i was bored and i get this stuff for free. Not to take blame away from my lack of real welding experience but the welder im using is horrible for this kinda stuff, it's shielding gas system doesnt work and it doesnt take flux core and it has no power whatsoever, my welds arent so bugerish when i have a "real" welder but this is all i have at my house. Im not expecting it to take much of a hit, i just kinda wanted to make something. Although i made some addons to my rear bumper with this stuff and me and a couple buddies picked the back end of the truck off the ground and moved it overf a couple feet with just that bar stuff. (at least my welds held)

Red_Chili · 06-02-2008, 08:00 AM

Without gas, and not using flux core, and without removing the mill scale from the steel, it's amazing you were able to weld at all.

A for effort. Won't hold up. You knew that.

Get the welder fixed and practice, practice, practice. Grind off the mill scale before trying to weld. You'll be amazed at the difference.

4Hummer · 06-02-2008, 08:17 AM

Your Welds suck and you need to use larger tube. Ha ha ha you ask for it

Practice your welds you are not getting any penetration,

Also clean the steel to shinny shinny metal when your welding, you will get
better results and a cleaner weld.

Another tip for welding, the trick is to get a puddle of hot molten steal by making C shaped passes, once the puddle forms you need to either push or pull the puddle with C passes

Heres a good resource: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/learning-mig.htm

Good Video
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/flash/c...aying-weld.swf

Red_Chili · 06-02-2008, 08:24 AM

That was almost a ditto...

+1 on the Cs.

customcruiser · 06-02-2008, 09:06 AM

turn that bitch up as hot as it will go, unless its a 220. if its a gas welder and you dont have any gas than you are wasting your time.

I would practice welding on that bumper, I bet if you drop it it will fall apart. metal needs to be bare.

hey atleast you didnt pay somebody $$$$ and get that, Ive been thru that, and you gotta start somewhere. I started just welding crap together and it turned into a sculpture.....

I use 1.75 x .120 DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel... no seam inside) or HREW (Hot Rolled Electric Welded.... seam on inside

dirtoyboy · 06-02-2008, 09:27 AM

I would recommend practicing on scrap or coupons...this is the first thing we ever welded...its a knight in shining armor....made from rebar and a ford taurus fender

customcruiser · 06-02-2008, 11:31 AM

The Wampus...... first thing we ever welded

zlathim · 06-02-2008, 11:37 AM

Well, you are practicing and that is good. You seem to know the limits of your craftsmanship, so that is good too.

No-one here was born knowing how to fabricate. Don't let them fool you into thinking that they were.

I like the idea of practicing on "artwork".

abj27 · 06-02-2008, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by customcruiser

The Wampus...... first thing we ever welded

Are you welding without gloves here? That's... daring. I just find I don't like red hot bits of metal landing anywhere on bare skin while I weld. Just me though.

Dustin Songer · 06-02-2008, 05:20 PM

haha i was trying to avoid what kind of welder it is, but yeah its turned up all the way. Its deffinately not made for this kinda stuff but i did drop it and it didnt break so there hah, ( iwouldnt do it again though haha)

and about the little c's, thats what my buddy has been telling me and i try to do it but im not very good at it with this welder, it doesnt hold a hot blob thing for long but thanks for the tips guys. like i said having a real welder realy helps my work haha but thats an excuse and excuses suck

Dustin Songer · 06-02-2008, 07:57 PM

So heres what it looks like all painted up, i would appreciate your guys' thaughts on at least if it looks good not so much the build of it (i think we know its not strong enough for much) haha

hurley842002 · 06-02-2008, 08:34 PM

You've definately got the right idea, some more practice and appropriate material and that same design could work very well. As for the strength, don't feel too bad, the stock bumpers wouldn't hold up to much either. Nice looking truck by the way.

dirtoyboy · 06-03-2008, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin Songer

06-01-2008, 09:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dustin Songer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sheridan, Wyoming Posts: 41	Took a stab at building a bumper today. (pic heavy) Well, i thaught i would try it. Now before everyone starts yelling at me cuz im not using 1.25 dom blah blah tubing and my welds suck and im only using factory mounts and "wheres the winch at?" I dont have the money, tools nor the skills to justify using the dom stuff. My welding sucks i know, noones ever taught me i just started doing it in my driveway one day. This is my first real "fab" as far as im concerned and i just wanted to see if i counld make something "mean looking with no real plan. and i like what i made so there haha. this is what i started with... then i made a second set of tabs and a second bar for the base then i made this square thingy and welded it to the bars at almost the same angle as the maximum approach angle... then i added another part above that stuff and back... then i braced it to the front box thing... then i bent a couple peices to go around the side then i braced that from the bottom... then the top... and that was it for tonight Tomorrow im going to finish welding all the back side stuff and paint it all, i might add some more cuz my girlfriend had a couple ideas of what i could add to the top but we'll see what it looks like painted and whatnot.

06-01-2008, 09:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
crolison Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 1,610	that does not look like it would hold up to much, no one said anything about DOM, all my stuff is HREW at it does good. and 1.25" is too small, 1.5" is where its at. At least you did all the work yourself, looks like you had a fun little project. __________________ 97 4runner, 2.7 5speed 4wd, 4.556, 255/85/16 Maxxis Bighorns rear diff breather, 4 hella 500's driving, sliders, wilderness rack custom bumper arb locked rear toytec adjustables, ome 891's, bilstein 5125 manual hubs broken front and rear swaybars My Profile

06-01-2008, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elvota Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 3,458	A for effort. We all have to start somewhere... __________________ ================ 1990 4Runner \| V6 3.4 \| 5spd \| 240 someoddthousand miles \| SR5 \| SAS \| RLS \| 35's \| ARB \| TJM \| 217 to 1 \| W8000 - four wheels \| three sticks \| two hands \| one trail - RIGITY DIGITY

06-01-2008, 11:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
fillsrunner4 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sammamish, wa Posts: 2,363	I think thats gonna be only able to hold lights and if you hit it your done. __________________ 94' toyota 4runner (Many a change!) purchased bone stock, NOW... SAS, 37x14" Iroks, Rear Leafs, 5.29's , Air locked front, Welded rear, 4.3L, Chevy V6 , 5spd swapped, dual T/C's MC10R10, flatbelly with custom skids, sliders, and so much more. Might as well start reading this if ya want know more Fillsrunner4 3.4crawler Build Thread Fillsrunner4.3 crawler (Part Two) build thread

06-02-2008, 08:00 AM	#8 (permalink)
Red_Chili Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 282	Without gas, and not using flux core, and without removing the mill scale from the steel, it's amazing you were able to weld at all. A for effort. Won't hold up. You knew that. Get the welder fixed and practice, practice, practice. Grind off the mill scale before trying to weld. You'll be amazed at the difference. __________________ -Bill Red Chili II: 1987 SASed 5VZ-FE 4Runner with more stuff than I can afford. Not that that makes me unique 'round here. Shadowfax: 1993 minitruck. Getting the Engnbldr full meal deal. Hunting truck and DD! Bio Page

06-02-2008, 07:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dustin Songer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sheridan, Wyoming Posts: 41	haha i know its bad as far as strength and i should have used different stuff but i was bored and i get this stuff for free. Not to take blame away from my lack of real welding experience but the welder im using is horrible for this kinda stuff, it's shielding gas system doesnt work and it doesnt take flux core and it has no power whatsoever, my welds arent so bugerish when i have a "real" welder but this is all i have at my house. Im not expecting it to take much of a hit, i just kinda wanted to make something. Although i made some addons to my rear bumper with this stuff and me and a couple buddies picked the back end of the truck off the ground and moved it overf a couple feet with just that bar stuff. (at least my welds held)

06-02-2008, 08:17 AM	#9 (permalink)
4Hummer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,986	Your Welds suck and you need to use larger tube. Ha ha ha you ask for it Practice your welds you are not getting any penetration, Also clean the steel to shinny shinny metal when your welding, you will get better results and a cleaner weld. Another tip for welding, the trick is to get a puddle of hot molten steal by making C shaped passes, once the puddle forms you need to either push or pull the puddle with C passes Heres a good resource: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/learning-mig.htm Good Video http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/flash/c...aying-weld.swf __________________ Michael 1991 4Runner 22RE. CHOP www.obsessiveoffroadclub.com

06-02-2008, 08:24 AM	#10 (permalink)
Red_Chili Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 282	That was almost a ditto... +1 on the Cs. __________________ -Bill Red Chili II: 1987 SASed 5VZ-FE 4Runner with more stuff than I can afford. Not that that makes me unique 'round here. Shadowfax: 1993 minitruck. Getting the Engnbldr full meal deal. Hunting truck and DD! Bio Page Last edited by Red_Chili : 06-02-2008 at 08:26 AM.

06-02-2008, 09:06 AM	#11 (permalink)
customcruiser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Race City USA (Mooresville, NC - LKN) Posts: 680	turn that bitch up as hot as it will go, unless its a 220. if its a gas welder and you dont have any gas than you are wasting your time. I would practice welding on that bumper, I bet if you drop it it will fall apart. metal needs to be bare. hey atleast you didnt pay somebody $$$$ and get that, Ive been thru that, and you gotta start somewhere. I started just welding crap together and it turned into a sculpture..... I use 1.75 x .120 DOM (Drawn Over Mandrel... no seam inside) or HREW (Hot Rolled Electric Welded.... seam on inside __________________ 94 4Runner Truggy 60/14B, 3Link w/18" Air Shox Chopped & Exo'd 42's on H1 Beadlocks Pirate4x4 Build Thread 03 Tundra Crawler Hauler/Baja DD 3" Lift, Fiberglass Fenders Prerunner Bumper, (3) 9" Lights

06-02-2008, 11:31 AM	#13 (permalink)
customcruiser Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Race City USA (Mooresville, NC - LKN) Posts: 680	The Wampus...... first thing we ever welded __________________ 94 4Runner Truggy 60/14B, 3Link w/18" Air Shox Chopped & Exo'd 42's on H1 Beadlocks Pirate4x4 Build Thread 03 Tundra Crawler Hauler/Baja DD 3" Lift, Fiberglass Fenders Prerunner Bumper, (3) 9" Lights

06-02-2008, 11:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
zlathim Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,013	Well, you are practicing and that is good. You seem to know the limits of your craftsmanship, so that is good too. No-one here was born knowing how to fabricate. Don't let them fool you into thinking that they were. I like the idea of practicing on "artwork". __________________ Do you think Einstein walked around thinking everyone was a bunch of dipsticks? Idiocracy (edited for family friendly viewing)

06-02-2008, 05:20 PM	#16 (permalink)
Dustin Songer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sheridan, Wyoming Posts: 41	haha i was trying to avoid what kind of welder it is, but yeah its turned up all the way. Its deffinately not made for this kinda stuff but i did drop it and it didnt break so there hah, ( iwouldnt do it again though haha) and about the little c's, thats what my buddy has been telling me and i try to do it but im not very good at it with this welder, it doesnt hold a hot blob thing for long but thanks for the tips guys. like i said having a real welder realy helps my work haha but thats an excuse and excuses suck

06-02-2008, 07:57 PM	#17 (permalink)
Dustin Songer Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sheridan, Wyoming Posts: 41	So heres what it looks like all painted up, i would appreciate your guys' thaughts on at least if it looks good not so much the build of it (i think we know its not strong enough for much) haha

06-02-2008, 08:34 PM	#18 (permalink)
hurley842002 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 332	You've definately got the right idea, some more practice and appropriate material and that same design could work very well. As for the strength, don't feel too bad, the stock bumpers wouldn't hold up to much either. Nice looking truck by the way. __________________ 1986 4runner 31" mt's aftermarket shackles Custom front bumper/winch Light bar/auxilary lighting Rear Detroit future mods: 33's maybe 35's, 5.29's, Rear bumper with tire/jerry can,highlift mounts, sliders. Conquer with the IFS until I can't conquer anymore and then do an SAS. Last edited by hurley842002 : 06-02-2008 at 08:35 PM.