Fabrication ideas?

[Ilovemy97Limited]

I've been thinking of what I could fabricate in my shop at work. I have all the tools necessary, the only thing I lack are the raw materials (obviously an idea is needed first, no point in wasting money I don't have). I have thought of several things, some I've taken from others (rear tire carrier, bumper, etc.) but I'm looking for something unique. Something that can be done on a small scale that a company couldn't justify producing.

Here is an idea:

Plated Fenders?

I notice that plated bumpers are all the craze in the Off-Road world for their practical uses. What if you could make a plated fender to match your plated front and rear bumpers? Obviously there is a reason it hasn't been done yet, or if it has there has been no mention of it anywhere.

All ideas would be nice. I'm looking to do this for myself on my time and dime, so if you would like an idea to be tested just send me the idea and I'll discuss it with my machinist partners and see if it is do-able. Anything is possible with enough time and money.

I'm currently about to start building my own full-length roof rack. To match the contours of a plated bumper it will be very angular and I'll probably use square tubing to give it an aggressive look. With my time constraints, I probably won't finish it until after Thanksgiving. All ideas are appreciated. Even if plated fenders are stupid, it's an idea.

-Sean

 

[renosauce]

ill look for some plated fenders some body made...gawd where they awful looking...
what types of things can you do? weld? tig? mig? mill? band saw? plasma?

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

personally, mig and plasma cutting. I'm still a novice, but I've got the basics down and I'm about to start machining school (with a minor in welding) this fall after changing my major from Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University to machining at the local community college (parents weren't pleased).

I have a team of 4 people, including myself, and between all four of us we can do plasma, mig, tig, arc, all wood and CAD (guy actually has a degree from Auburn in Industrial Design!)

We are bored, and I'm looking for projects to practice on before I start my official courses this (Upcoming) fall.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I'm currently about to start building my own full-length roof rack.

-Sean

Ouch! And we're almost neighbors! LOL, nah i cant wait to see what you come up with, i always wish i had more tools at my disposal.

+1 on what can you/your shop do? any waterjet or cnc cutting abilities, i need to come up with and put a logo on some metal plates.

You could always do some custom skids or armor, a custom hitch mounted tire carrier, or some suspension components...

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

Ouch! And we're almost neighbors! LOL, nah i cant wait to see what you come up with, i always wish i had more tools at my disposal.

+1 on what can you/your shop do? any waterjet or cnc cutting abilities, i need to come up with and put a logo on some metal plates.

You could always do some custom skids or armor, a custom hitch mounted tire carrier, or some suspension components...

No need to worry, your roof rack is bad ass. If I could afford if I'd buy it. I am modeling the general curvature Of your rack with mine though... It's too perfect to make something better.

The machines we have, but are not limited to, include: about 3 different sized lathes, 2 industrial plasma cutters, a CNC machine (0 experience as of yet), and 6 or 7 welders from portable with generators to heavy duty miller and Lincoln industrial grade equipment. I have the tools, just very little expertise.

 

[renosauce]

No need to worry, your roof rack is bad ass. If I could afford if I'd buy it. I am modeling the general curvature Of your rack with mine though... It's too perfect to make something better.

The machines we have, but are not limited to, include: about 3 different sized lathes, 2 industrial plasma cutters, a CNC machine (0 experience as of yet), and 6 or 7 welders from portable with generators to heavy duty miller and Lincoln industrial grade equipment. I have the tools, just very little expertise.

well get out there and start building... i just bought a mill...i got no clue how to use it...i just start turning nobs until something happens...if it makes bad sounding noises i stop doing that hahah ...

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

I can design on paper, basic welding and plasma cut. At this moment all of the real skill is left to my team mates, but not before long.

We have 2 mills, one is from a world war 2 battleship! (we dont use that one because it's scary and it's larger then an F250 longbed.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

That old mill sounds awesome! old machining equipment trips me out, how'd they move that stuff around...

You can do a lot with a plasma, thats next on my to beg the wife for list.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I can design on paper, basic welding and plasma cut. At this moment all of the real skill is left to my team mates, but not before long.

We have 2 mills, one is from a world war 2 battleship! (we dont use that one because it's scary and it's larger then an F250 longbed.

Can you notch some tube for me? I could throw some parts your way.

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

Probably. The equipment doesnt belong to me, it belongs to my work. It depends on how much you need done and i cant profit from it. I have your number, ill text you this week and discuss what you wnt done. We can work something out.

 

[spectre6000]

I have a few fabrication ideas... These are the things I intend to build up once I (find the time to) find a house up here with a decent sized garage and enough flat area to build a shop and finally get all my tools and such out of storage and across the country...

• aux fuel tank to replace spare
• front plate bumper
• rear plate bumper
• swing out spare/hi-lift mount/folding lader (stay tuned to future "crazy idea" threads for that one)
• a pretty fantastic RTT (requires fiberglassing and sewing abilities in addition to metalworking)
• some UCAs that correct for lifted suspension geometry while accepting OEM ball joints
• skid plates
• diff clocking cross member
• lifting brackets for the various underpinnings to flatten out the undercarriage
• panel in the rear side windows
• overhead storage rack for rear
• expo trailer
• rear control arm armor
• sway bar disconnects
• underseat storage area (replace and enlarge the stock jack/etc. area)
• the rear storage/sleeping pallet things are always made out of wood for some reason despite metal giving more usable space/overal volume and less weight
• water storage/distribution system
• a storage solution that replaces and fills the void left by the rear seat when removed
• half-doors/tube doors
• full/partial cage

If you're really good and have an english wheel, shrinker/stretcher, and a good set of hammers at your disposal you might try to make some bolt-on front fenders with extra clearance out of steel with some attractive curves versus those ugly fiberglass ones. Maybe something similar for the rear (though it would require welding them in). Alternatively, just flare them like the old-school rodders did... Some wheel well replacement plates to match would not go unmissed.

Might consider a SAS or if you're looking to get into the business an SAS kit.

A wheel well modification kit for larger tires would also probably sell fairly well (way better than beating the floor in with a hammer... yikes!) and be a simple matter of making a template to cut out the plates and providing some quality instructional materials on where to cut and how to do it.

Paging WMW!

 

[cj80cruiser]

Probably. The equipment doesnt belong to me, it belongs to my work. It depends on how much you need done and i cant profit from it. I have your number, ill text you this week and discuss what you wnt done. We can work something out.

If you cant its no big deal. I'm making some sliders and needed about 8 done.

Spectre had some good ideas. Interior tire carrier would be another. I took a stab at making one myself.

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

I didn't realize there was so much involved in making a fender. I guess I need to simply learn more about my vehicle. I believe I might tackle the rear Tire carrier and draw of some designs before we get hasty. I need to do the rack first

 

[Brilliant]

If anyone has a lathe and wants to make a couple spacers (basically washers) let me know. Probably pay 100 bucks for 2x, 6mm ~4cm OD, 12mm ID

 

[Shibby!]

Skid plates. Easy and functional.

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

I'm considering making a full set of belly armor. front, belly, gas tank, and any other skid possible. basically I would want to provide as much protection as possible without melting the car.

Perhaps I would design a skid plate system that channels air flow from the front of the vehicle all along the under belly. That way it could keep the temp down and provide maximum protection.

Just an idea. but after almost 2 decades of being on the road, im sure every possible thing has already been thought of.

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

I don't have equipment to bend tubing, but we can do just about anything.

 

[Ukraine Train]

personally, mig and plasma cutting. I'm still a novice, but I've got the basics down and I'm about to start machining school (with a minor in welding) this fall after changing my major from Mechanical Engineering at Auburn University to machining at the local community college (parents weren't pleased).

Only because you mentioned it, my recommendation is to stick with engineering if you can hack it. Don't get me wrong, machining and fabricating is a great profession, but having a bachelor's degree (especially in engineering) will open many more doors for you and pays better in general. I had a lot of debt after school but still feel it was well worth it. That's not to say you can't make a great living if you decide to open your own shop, but it's just something to consider. I'm sure you've heard an earful from your parents already, though.

Back on topic... I used to have a Cherokee and got into building bumpers on the side. I designed them in 3D CAD (NX), had them laser cut, CNC bent, and welded. If you have access to a press brake it makes manufacturing much easier because you save a lot of time in welding the seams. I made a simple jig to hold all the parts together so I didn't have to spend a bunch of time lining everything up.

 

[Ilovemy97Limited]

That is a good idea. and yes I've heard plenty from my parents, but they aren't paying for my school, I am. And I want to be a gunsmith making 30k (at most) per year. I would never pay off that debt.