Welding bumper kit question

[Noahrob]

Way back when, I did not know how to weld and needed to move spring perches, make a bumper, make brackets, etc...so I bought a little 110v Lincoln and the Lincoln welding book. My first project was to build a welding table, which helped me learn a lot and was safe in that if I messed up it wasn't a rollcage or something (please DO NOT START WITH ANYTHING THAT GOES ON THe SAME ROAD AS MY FAMILY), then I got a Lincoln 255 and kept practicing...since then I have built bumpers, sliders, roll cages, tow bars, a 3link front suspension, ladder racks, brackets, etc...Unless you are in a rush, if you plan to keep messing with cars, especially off road cars, you will benefit the rest of your life by learning to weld.

 

[Brimley]

I got a 4x4 labs rear. fitted and tacked it all together with my little 110v flux core.Then I took it to a local shop and they welded it all for about $110. It's a lot easier to weld on a bench or saw horses after it is fitted and tack welded on the vehicle then removed.

 

[Pin_Head]

Definitely take a class at your local community college. You will spend as much time testing welds as making them so you can know for sure that they are good. MIG is unforgiving. If you make a weld with the settings off or incorrect technique, you can end up with a pretty looking bead that lacks fusion or has porosity or inclusions. You find this out when you test the welds, so you will eventually have the confidence that they will pass. Then you can get certified to make critical welds. They also teach you about welds you should never do unless you have the proper cert.

I took the class but never did get certified because as a mechanic, the only welding I did for a pay check was muffler tubing and an occasional shock mount. I also tack welded the upper control arms on Ford products so they wouldn't get knocked out of alignment if they hit a bump. These welds are unlikely to kill anyone if they fail.