dcp1992

Here is a picture of that rubber thing I used.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/100936816@N02/9710025201/

Whew.... That was a couple hours of work to edit all the pictures and add some things here and there. But all the pictures are finally fixed.

I really need to finished this bumper.... I might do something tomorrow since it's a short day for me. I also am eventually going to change the spindle to a bushing type since they are stronger and I would feel safer with a bigger tire on there, a couple gallons of gas, and a Hi-lift.

TJe0454

Your welds look like snot rockets. Has the tire carrier fallen apart yet?

dcp1992

Huh... Very mature comment, and from someone that has less then 10 post.. I'd like to see you do better (for your second time welding). If you don't have anything nice to say, I suggest you don't say anything, plus if you knew anything about welding you'd know that looks aren't everything, it's all about penetration. Even with me using an underpowered welder, I had great penetration and the bumper/carrier is still as strong as the day I started welding the bumper/carrier. I could really care less what the welds look like, especially since it is flux-core, and I hate flux-core since it never produces as nice of a weld as gas. But this was also back when I was first learning to weld, this was my second project that I'd ever welded, I'm much better at welding now, but I also don't weld on a regular bases so it takes some getting back into the groove.

TJe0454

First off, that's what she said. Secondly, attached is 10 posts worth of welding experience. enough to fabricate my own suspension from scratch. If you're welding then grinding that weld down, it not only means it's a *****ty weld, but when you grind it down, it puts excess stress on the surrounding areas. Not a single one of your welds has any penetration.....true, you're just starting out welding, but you should have been smart enough to not build something when your skills weren't up to par.

TJe0454

10charact

uber

at first i thought "man, this dude is a *****" .. then i look at his profile and see wrangler. "ooooohhh, that would explain it"

HS00XJ

Instead of harshly criticizing , have you ever thought about giving advice ? What a d"k. Op like you said it was one of your first fabs, nobody welds perfect as a beginner. Good job

TJe0454

I was simply making an observation at first. The fact that I can't know anything because I only have 10 posts on a friggin forum is laughable. And i own a tj and an xj...sooo your argument is invalid. I do enjoy giving advice, but when people are saying the welds look good is where I draw the line. Have you ever thought about what will happen when the tire carrier falls off and goes through the windshield of another car?
Here's my advice: practice your welds on something that doesn't matter...not on something that hangs off the back of your jeep.

HS00XJ

I could care less how many post you have or what you drive.On this forum we like to help each other and give advice.And his bumper seems to hold up just fine bro.

TJe0454

Helping him out would be to tell him he should practice his welds more before attempting a tire carrier or sliders....bro

HS00XJ

Good advice..i have to admit my first fab job was my rear bumper, and it was with a stick welder.I was alittle worried about my welds being my first time, until I pulled my wifes uncles jeep about 2miles off a mnt cause he broke front and rear axles..lol. but I wouldn't atempt a cage or custom suspension until my skills were up to par.At least he is building his own stuff.so keep it up and practice op

dcp1992

I admit, those welds look good, about the same as mine do now, especially when I'm on a Gas rig. Each welder isn't the same and some are harder to get used to than others (I've done MIG, Stick, and a little TIG welding)... Some welders you don't even have to have much experience at all and get decent welds. The welder I used in this (and is my personal welder) was mostly a Clarke 130EN Gas/Gasless welder with flux-cored wire, once you get the hang of it, it does great (would do better with Gas to reduce splatter). But it's still only a 130, and I was welding up to 1/4" steel with it, which is above it's capacity. So I had to heavily bevel the edges and then do multiple passes to get the penetration that I needed, and as a result (added to the fact that I was just starting out) the welds didn't look as good as they might have.

I was basing the post count on the fact that at the time, you had 7 post and most of the post were just criticizing other people or calling them gay or whatnot, nothing important or even helping anyone. Never said you didn't know anything, just said if you could do better post it. Which you delivered.

Highly unlikely since I actually inspect my stuff and make sure nothing is fatiguing over time, only ever had to fix that one spot... which I was expecting I would have to because I knew that was going to be a weak spot and I didn't get it as well as I sould of the first time. Not to mention I've pulled multiple times with the bumper and it's stayed strong.

After this I've still built stuff, and not only for myself. I helped build my friends rear bumper for his Z71, I've welded exhaust... I even modified a WARN winch bumper for my friends Z71. I had to modify the mounting brackets up 3" to make it work on his truck and even after HARD winch pulls, it's still strong with no fatigue cracks or anything. So I think it's safe to say my welds are strong, even if they don't always look good... though overtime I have gotten better. Not to mention on the heavy stuff I used either my friends ESAB 210 or the stick they have.


Anyway thanks uber and HS00XJ for the support. I'm much better now then I was 2 years ago.