i agree^ but if you are welding .120 wall tube with flux core, on that clarke machine, there is no need to bevel or anything, since that machine will weld 3/16 in a single pass. but thats neither here nor there....its a bumper thread...lol. nice work!

nice looking bumper. need more pics!!!!!

also the welds look pretty good, just a tad fast but great welds. once you get a taste of mig welding, you dont want to go back to flux.

Nice looking bumper man

That bumper is sweet!!!

The only other problem is that I plan on welding up a 3-link front suspension (.25+ wall) and possibly eventually axle brackets ect. I want something that can do it all

Maybe ill just convert to gas to hold me over for a little bit

Thanks for all the compliments guys.

Quick little update:
Fixed the welder yesterday, but do not have time to finish welding it this weekend. Ill be putting it on tonight for safety reasons on the road. Ill be sure to snap some pics.

lookin good, i wanna see more

yes, but at 1/8" wall tubing, you're starting to push the limits of that little machine. You're better off getting something that will weld the thickest metal you ever think you'll deal with, plus some extra. (Say a Millermatic 210) Then you can weld 1/4" or whatever at a 60% duty cycle.

FWIW, Flux core actually burns hotter and penetrates better than solid wire. Not sure on the specifics, just know that everything I've read, and everyone I've talked to has said so.

If you plan on welding .25 wall tubing or material on a regular basis I'd suggest getting a MillerMatic 180. Its rated to burn 5/16 in a single pass, using solid core wire and gas.

you could use that little welder you've got to do .25 wall tubing if you used gas, beveled your joints and did things oldskool(and better if you ask me) where you lay a root pass, then do two passes over the top of that to fill the joint. <-with that technic, not only will you get better penetration, but you'll also get a stronger joint.

Enough of my threadjacking, Keep up the good work, that bumper looks amazing. I can't wait to see the work you'll do when you get your hands on a plasma cutter and a big welder.

Wheres the pics?

Id love to get the Millermatic 210, but at 17 its a little hard to throw $1500 down for one. Im fairly set on the Hobart Handler 187, and have heard nothing but good things about it. The price is right too.

I agree that flux core burns hotter and penetrates better than with gas.... but welding with gas is just so much cleaner and easier (IMO).

Thanks for the info on the "old school techniques". But with that much welding in one area, would I have to worry about the HAZ at all? Since heating metal makes it weaker and all.

No worries about the thread jacking, I really appreciate the info. Thanks for the kind words.

Right here:







Its looking pretty bare right now without the side supports coming down off the stinger. Its comin along though.

looks really good! whatcha bendin' with?

Thanks,
Im using a Pro-tools 105 manual bender with a 1.5" 120* 6"CLR die. I love it.

How do you plan on mounting the winch?

I will weld a piece of flat 1/4" steel across the top of the two bumper mounts sticking out from the "frame". Of course they will be gusseted and such. I will have to cut into the grill and push the winch back a little.

That wont be for quite a while though. A winch is quite a ways down on my jeeps "to do" list at the moment. Mainly due to funds going elsewhere.

I built an RTI ramp useing a Lincoln 135 with 100% fluxed core wire and it was great. That was my first project. Then our shop got a Lincoln 100 with gas and I built a pair of TJ bumpers with it, front winch and just rock style rear. Worked well and the welds looked really good. I also welded on stake pockets and Dring tie downs on my trailer useing the 100 with gas. Again once set the welds looked great and have so far held up just fine, and this after hauling two jeeps on my trailer 3 or four times. Don't underestimate the small 110V units it all relies on the actual person doing the welding.

I now own (and have yet to use) a Lincoln 180 MIG and a Hobart 220V ARC Stick Welder. I have done very little stick welding but plan on continueing my education with it, and I cannot wait to get the 220V MIG fired up!!!