My First Welding Project..

[Daddy4zack]

I got a Millermatic 180.. Welder for X mas.. And My First Project was Bumpers...

Aaron

[Bronco Brian]

Very nice kind of a good feeling knowing you built it your self
So what is next?

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Those really look great. Your welds look awesome for a beginner. Once you get your speed down, you'll be heading for some sweet welds...

[Daddy4zack]

Those really look great. Your welds look awesome for a beginner. Once you get your speed down, you'll be heading for some sweet welds...

Yeah no kidding... More Voltage... More line speed.. Faster... Waait,, Less Voltage... Less Line speed SLOW DOWN.... It's all learning!! I am Happy for my first time picking up a welder but I realize I have a ways to go..
A

[Delta 4 Wheel]

Yeah no kidding... More Voltage... More line speed.. Faster... Waait,, Less Voltage... Less Line speed SLOW DOWN.... It's all learning!! I am Happy for my first time picking up a welder but I realize I have a ways to go..
A

It is a real feel game. But once you get it, you got it. Remember, just because the weld looks good, it doesn't mean that you are getting good penetration in to the metal. I remember back in the day, I welded a new lower track bar on. It broke off on the trail. The welds looked great, but I had no penetration at all into the axle tube. I didn't take into consederation the much thicker metal on the tube. I should have kept the heat mainly on the tube and pulled the metal from the bracket in as I went. One thing you have that is a MAJOR advantage...a NICE welder!1 I started with the Hobart 135 110v. Nice for small jobs, but nothing like my 260 amp Fire Power...

[Familyman]

Nice work Aaron
Those bumpers look sweet and I bet they are bomb proof. Lots of fun making steel stick together huh??
If ya didn't know ,with thicker steel, grind the edges down at a 45 degree when you bring 2 pieces together and then you will have a valley to weld into. It gets more penetration that way and less grinding of the finished product.

Great job. look forward to seeing them at the get together.
FM <><

[71BRONCO71]

that front bumper looks AMAZING!... your first time?? wow thats good. i like the front tucked up like that ...

TWO THUMBS UP

[71BRONCO71]

1 more thing... what size box tubing did you use for the frame to bumper??? how does it attach? Weld/bolt?? got a pic??

[Daddy4zack]

Thanks guys.. I tucked the front in a few inches.. I am happy with the way they came out.. I should have spent a little more time on the rear bumper to clean it up and sand it down more.. Ohh well I got into a hurry and wanted it on..

A

[Daddy4zack]

1 more thing... what size box tubing did you use for the frame to bumper??? how does it attach? Weld/bolt?? got a pic??

2x4 tube steel. Single grade 8 bolt- top to bottom. I can take pics.. I figure my frame will break before these ever will.

[RandyatBBY]

Nice work. You must have done it before?

I have been welding sence I was 14 in highschool,(58 now) we had metal shop back then. It all depends on the day at this point. My glasses fog up and I can not weld worth a bean.

[71BRONCO71]

does the steel slide right in??

[highlander]

2x4 tube steel. Single grade 8 bolt- top to bottom. I can take pics.. I figure my frame will break before these ever will.

I have seen a lot of people drill and tap holes in the 2x4 sleeve to add two more bolts one on the bottom and side in the existing frame holes. To add a little more strength when winching staright forward. I have seen the single bolts tear out of the edge of the frame and it isn't pretty.

[Daddy4zack]

does the steel slide right in??

Yes slides right in.

[Daddy4zack]

I have seen a lot of people drill and tap holes in the 2x4 sleeve to add two more bolts one on the bottom and side in the existing frame holes. To add a little more strength when winching staright forward. I have seen the single bolts tear out of the edge of the frame and it isn't pretty.

I have thought about adding a cross bolt.. when I made the bumper i made sure i had 6" to slide into the frame. But i have the bolts 3" back into the frame.

Aaron