My $660 Bumpers!!

[MStearns]

4x10 sheet of 3/16 plate - $323 (of which I have about a third of it left over)

Random pieces of angle, strap, weldable angles, and recovery eyes - $200

2 10lb spools of welding wire - $90

8 Rattle cans of spray on bed liner - $48



Not having to shell out $3500 or more for aftermarket bumpers - Priceless:-laf

 

[MVenditti]

If you built those bumpers you should start a bumper business, that some great work.

 

[The patriot]

I have a UTE on the front of my truck, but I'd really like one of those on the back!!

 

[LBARTLETT]

those are awesome

 

[MStearns]

Thanks. I started last November thinking I could have both done in 3 months. The rear I knocked out in a month and was making good progress on the front until my garage just got to cold to work in. Then this spring it seemed one thing after another took my time away. But they are finally done... Aside from a little wiring for the lights.

 

[GHarman]

Nice Work!

Really nice work, MStearns! GregH

 

[Loren]

If you built those bumpers you should start a bumper business, that some great work.

I'll second that thought.



I just made a bumper for my beater Toyota farm truck. The bumper I made matches the truck. (Well, it's not all that bad, but it doesn't look like yours, Mark. )



If it took you months to make those bumpers, I'm sure you understand why they charge $3500 for the store-bought ones. Most of us can't do work like yours even if we did have the tools and the time.



Great bumpers.



-- Loren

 

[DValentine]

Very good looking job. You have talent. Hear what the guy are saying... .
I built one for my old first gen and it didn't look very good, in comparison to yours. GregH can verify... I even work with metal for a living. You have a good eye for it.

D

 

[BGlidewell]

Did you really use a full 2 spools? . 35?

 

[BILLVO]

Nice work, I personally don't care for the front design but the rear one is awesome.

 

[MStearns]

Not quite two full spools. I probably have 3~4 lbs left of the of the second spool. Yes it was . 35 flux core.

 

[WSutt]

trial and error,or did you have templates to work with?I would like to do this for the front of mine

 

[RADdodge]

Ditto

I have a UTE on the front of my truck, but I'd really like one of those on the back!!

Exactly! I am still looking for a rear bumper solution.

 

[nar472]

Very nicely done.

 

[BGlidewell]

Not quite two full spools. I probably have 3~4 lbs left of the of the second spool. Yes it was . 35 flux core.

interesting. I wonder if FC goes faster than solid with argon/ox mix. I've only used gas up to this point. What brand/type of welder?

Nice work BTW.

 

[MStearns]

trial and error,or did you have templates to work with?I would like to do this for the front of mine

I started with alot of measurements and Google SketchUp. SketchUp is a free download and serves as a simple CAD program. I downloaded a plug-in that was supposed to print a cut sheet but could make it work. In the end I just pulled all of the measurements off of the program manually. There were only a couple of triangular pieces on the front that I ended up making card board templates of to insure a good fit. I can forward my files to you if you want, just PM me with your email address.

 

[MStearns]

interesting. I wonder if FC goes faster than solid with argon/ox mix. I've only used gas up to this point. What brand/type of welder?

Nice work BTW.

I've got a little Lincoln 3200 welder. It's only 120v so on the MIG side it will only weld up to 10ga. with . 030 wire. If I could have put my hands on some . 035 wire it will go upto 3/16" but no one carries that locally. With flux core it will burn up to 5/16" material. The only problem with the flux core is it does splatters alot... but that is why we have grinders I guess



My Lincoln is a nice little welder. I've done lots of body work with it, as well as exhaust systems and what not. It is really just about the perfect size for around the house because really, how often do you need to weld stuff heavier than a 1/4"?? It will also do upto 1/8" aluminum if you preheat it. My only real complaint is it's duty cycle as sometimes it takes a break to cool off before I'm ready... But in the end, who wants to be working that hard anyway, this is supposed to be a hobby:-laf

 

[bromano676]

I buy my flux core at homedepot. I believe it is the . 035. I also have the adapter for the larger spools. I don't remember which the two sizes are. It might be the same size you have. I got the sp135 and the weld pack 100. the sp welds a lot better then my weld pack.

 

[BGlidewell]

I started with alot of measurements and Google SketchUp. SketchUp is a free download and serves as a simple CAD program. I downloaded a plug-in that was supposed to print a cut sheet but could make it work. In the end I just pulled all of the measurements off of the program manually. There were only a couple of triangular pieces on the front that I ended up making card board templates of to insure a good fit. I can forward my files to you if you want, just PM me with your email address.

when I downloaded sketchup it was unlicensed. Did you get your project done in the 8 hour evaluation period?

 

[MStearns]

My sketchup is still functioning months later. I just double checked, but I have SketchUp 7. 1 and it is unlicensed as there is nothing under the licensing tab. I think you may have downloaded SketchUp PRO which is more of a professional level CAD program and is not free.