Wanna help me build a Rear Bumper for my 100?

[Fitzgerald]

OK... I'm thinking that I'd like to have a nice steel rear bumper for the 100, but at $$$$ I'm currently priced out of most of the ones offered out there.

Then there's the 4X4 Labs kit. $495 and you get everything you need.

Herein lies the problem. I'm getting OK at welding sheetmetal, but have no experience welding plate. Also (as Andrew pointed out to me the other day), my 120 welder won't do the job.



So, any skilled welder out there want to help me build this thing?



Here are a couple threads to give you guys an idea of what's involved:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/573805-4x4-labs-rear-bumpers.html

https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/781167-any-homemade-rear-bumpers-out-there.html

http://www.4x4labs.com/products/rear-bumpers/


Since the $$$$ is the issue, unfortunately, I can't offer much in the way of cash. ???

I realize this is a big request and won't be surprised if no one's able to help. Just thought I'd throw it out there. Not in any real hurry to get this done either.

 

[Springs505]

I like those kits.

I'm working on my own bumper project right now, but hopefully will finish up "soon". I'm not a very skilled welder, but I do ok most of the time, may be able to help a bit. After I finish my bumper, you could borrow my 220v welder. It's a hf, but it should weld 3/16 plate ok and you should be able to use any gas/ wire you already have.

 

[black95]

If you're willing to drive to WP, I'll weld it up for you. I've got a Hobart 175 and a heated garage with a huge stereo-- but I'm not listening to and Greatful Dead...

Just kick me down a little money for help with welding wire and argon gas.

 

[CO_Hunter]

Don't be so quick to discount your welder. My Hobart 135/120v gets great penetration on 1/8" easy. I would think there are only a few places you would use 3/16, that is heavy. I think most people overbuild those types of things. Welding any metal at the limit of your welder there are tricks, such as beveling the weld area and/or preheating the weld area. These two things can make a big difference. Personally I would go with a front bumper over a rear bumper first.

I welded up my slider kit from Justin and have been very happy. The only 3/16" is the rectangular tubing (he did at shop), the rest is 1/8" tubing.

You are welcome to try my welder and convince yourself it will work.

 

[black95]

I agree with Leon. 120 volt welders can handle 1/8 inch plate no problem, and 3/16 inch with the correct prep work, you just have to lower your wire speed and slow way down. The real trick to a 120 volt welder is to limit your cord length. You want the heaviest cord you can get for the shortest distance. It's actually worth making your own welder cord out of 12 gauge SJO cord (they cut it at Home Depot) and getting some good cord ends. I have mine to where it reaches about five outside of the garage door.

 

[Bret]

If you want to swing by here you won't even need the heated garage. 220 welder and a gas wrench if you need to preheat. All I would ask is to bring some stuff back to CO with you. Less for me to move later... heck, I'll even supply the beer!

 

[Fitzgerald]

Don't be so quick to discount your welder. My Hobart 135/120v gets great penetration on 1/8" easy. I would think there are only a few places you would use 3/16, that is heavy. I think most people overbuild those types of things. Welding any metal at the limit of your welder there are tricks, such as beveling the weld area and/or preheating the weld area. These two things can make a big difference. Personally I would go with a front bumper over a rear bumper first.

I welded up my slider kit from Justin and have been very happy. The only 3/16" is the rectangular tubing (he did at shop), the rest is 1/8" tubing.

You are welcome to try my welder and convince yourself it will work.

I've got a Hobart 140 (so obviously it's 5 Hoberts more than yours) and I have done quite a bit of welding with 1/8 angle iron and I do get good penetration. Problem is the main shell of the 4X4 Labs bumper is 3/16 (the rest is 1/4) and I think I'd be pushing my machine and my skill to the limit, hence the rest for help.

I agree with Leon. 120 volt welders can handle 1/8 inch plate no problem, and 3/16 inch with the correct prep work, you just have to lower your wire speed and slow way down. The real trick to a 120 volt welder is to limit your cord length. You want the heaviest cord you can get for the shortest distance. It's actually worth making your own welder cord out of 12 gauge SJO cord (they cut it at Home Depot) and getting some good cord ends. I have mine to where it reaches about five outside of the garage door.

Currently, I just weld up close to the outlet, so don't know if cable length is an issue for me. I love my little Hobart, but I don't know if I want to go grinding away/chamfering edges on the bumper, hoping my 120V will do the trick, then slap a half-way decent looking hack job on my Beuty Queen 100. I'd be laughed out of the Starbucks parking lot!!!

If you want to swing by here you won't even need the heated garage. 220 welder and a gas wrench if you need to preheat. All I would ask is to bring some stuff back to CO with you. Less for me to move later... heck, I'll even supply the beer!

I was very dismissive of your offer until the free beer part. Now considering...

 

[EricG]

I've got a 220V Hobart Handler 187. Would be happy to help, though shop space is at a premium. Probably not to far from you.

 

[Fitzgerald]

I've got a 220V Hobart Handler 187. Would be happy to help, though shop space is at a premium. Probably not to far from you.

Cool!

Thanks for all of the offers for help guys. I truly appreciate it. I'd like to buy the bumper sooner rather than later, but we'll see.

I guess I'll see who's available to help when it arrives.