T4RNightHawk
New member
I like everyone have always wanted a rear bumper but like most can't afford one. I was at first gonna do a hybrid bumper like the Xterras where you put plate in the middle then use the plastics side caps. Then I moved to a hybrid plate/tubular design. Then we refurnished our patio with Ikea furniture so I figured I have an insane amount of cardboard let's make a bumper!
Since I'm posting this all at once if you're going to quote could you please shorten the quote to the secion of interrest.
I started by modeling it out of cardboard AKA CAD (cardboard assisted design). Once that was done I took a stab at Fusion 360 (not solidworks since I have a Mac) but that proved to be more trouble than it was worth so I ended up going back to paper and pencil.
I then was finally able to get my money's worth out of my school tuition. The school bought me the sheet of 3/16" plate all I had to do was supply the other parts and the gas consumables. We have a Miller Spectrum, Miller 250, and Hobart Handler at school but we only use flux core.
Had a little mishap with some leaves, a sawhorse, and the plasma cutter when I forgot the horse was still underneath.
Got the parts I got from A to Z Fab and this stuff is beefy. Tire carried spindle, d-ring receivers, and hitch adaptor.
Today my buddy and I put in 3 and 1/2 hours and it's finally looking like a bumper. Went through 4 grinding wheels in the process and I'm dead tired.
Here's a picture of some welds. I'm much more consistent with flux core since that's what I normally do. I'd say they're probably a 7/10 of what I was doing (due to crowning and v shape). The parts I ground were all caterpillers because I knew I'd be grinding them and because the joint wasn't prepared (ie. beveled). I was also going quick since I had a limited amount of time and knew my fusion was good enough. If anyone can give any tips on acheiving better consistency I'd love to hear it!
Now I just have to put a lip on the bottom make some fender liners and get the brackets fabbed up. Then it's onto the tire carrier and hitch.
Since I'm posting this all at once if you're going to quote could you please shorten the quote to the secion of interrest.
I started by modeling it out of cardboard AKA CAD (cardboard assisted design). Once that was done I took a stab at Fusion 360 (not solidworks since I have a Mac) but that proved to be more trouble than it was worth so I ended up going back to paper and pencil.
I then was finally able to get my money's worth out of my school tuition. The school bought me the sheet of 3/16" plate all I had to do was supply the other parts and the gas consumables. We have a Miller Spectrum, Miller 250, and Hobart Handler at school but we only use flux core.
Had a little mishap with some leaves, a sawhorse, and the plasma cutter when I forgot the horse was still underneath.
Got the parts I got from A to Z Fab and this stuff is beefy. Tire carried spindle, d-ring receivers, and hitch adaptor.
Today my buddy and I put in 3 and 1/2 hours and it's finally looking like a bumper. Went through 4 grinding wheels in the process and I'm dead tired.
Here's a picture of some welds. I'm much more consistent with flux core since that's what I normally do. I'd say they're probably a 7/10 of what I was doing (due to crowning and v shape). The parts I ground were all caterpillers because I knew I'd be grinding them and because the joint wasn't prepared (ie. beveled). I was also going quick since I had a limited amount of time and knew my fusion was good enough. If anyone can give any tips on acheiving better consistency I'd love to hear it!
Now I just have to put a lip on the bottom make some fender liners and get the brackets fabbed up. Then it's onto the tire carrier and hitch.
opcorn:
