Re: Used Parts Build
 

Amazing amount of work.....how did problems with the tig welder end up working out ?
I bought the Synchrowave 250 with the tig runner (water cooled torch)...I see in your welding class they were in use. I think the space shuttle has less things to switch on:lol:

Re: Used Parts Build
 

I ended up sending it back. It was a bad fitting and bad torch. I ended up replacing it with a CK9, the air cooled version of the CK20 I was used to running in class. Everything works great now.

I really like the Syncrowaves. My buddy has one and its all I used in class. They had ones that were probably there since the school opened. They have been serviced but all worked great.

Interestingly, my welding instructor is the weld inspector for a local company that produces submarines. He can tig weld over head with the peddle between his knees...Goals!

Re: Used Parts Build
 

I'd set myself on fire for sure...

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Ive done that and I wasnt even welding...

Re: Used Parts Build
 

The biggest problem I have with TIG is doing really delicate work with no gloves and shocking myself. Always fun. I think I've done so 3 times in the last 3 weeks...

Re: Used Parts Build
 

I havent had that pleasure yet. I always wear gloves though. It gets hot enough with the gloves on.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Started filling in some of the wholes in the bed that were used for the camper
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...112_212235.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...112_224337.jpg
Here is what I decided to do with that pinch. I ended up cutting it out and moved it up 1/8 of an inch or so and welded it back in. After looking at it for a while it seemed like it would be the easiest way to fit it. If it doesnt line up perfectly I deal with it later.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...112_212224.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...112_223027.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

That's part of why I like tig brazing, you don't need anywhere near as much heat. If I'm doing more than tacking I'll usually throw on a pair of latex or nitrile gloves, they're about as thin as it gets.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Took some measurements to start my four link
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_145104.jpg
Started working on my driveshaft hoop/4 link mounts crossmember
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_212159.jpg
Wanted to make it look like it fit with the notches so I matched one of the angles
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_212232.jpg
Decided I was going to TIG it all. Mostly because I wanted to get more practice
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_233416.jpg
That is all I got for now.

I patched a bit of my inner fender and took a lot of pics because someone was asking about patching in the body work section on another board.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_154220.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_155053.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_155308.jpg
ignore the fact that I cut the patch too small....
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_161756.jpg
TIG'ing it in
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_164905.jpg
Filled and DA'd
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...116_174401.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Did some some more work to my crossmember/trans hoop/four link mounts
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...117_232408.jpg
Welded up and where about it will sit
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...118_165341.jpg
Making some gussets
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...117_235000.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...118_171516.jpg
Mocking up my lower tabs
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...9820522166.jpg

For those of you running bag on bar, how far apart are you bars? I am looking at 46'' from centerline to centerline of the bars.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Excellent work David!

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Looking good!

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Thanks Gary. I have been following your build. Hopefully I'll have skills like that one day.

Thanks man. Slowly chipping away at it.

Got a bit more work done to it tonight.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...121_224336.jpg
Going to cut the ends off and cap them. I'll extend the caps up and tie them into the outer link tabs.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Fab looks good. How are you liking that AlphaTIG machine?

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Thanks Karl. Initially I had some problems with it but after getting a better torch it has pretty much done everything I have wanted. The peddle sucks and I will probably replace it eventually but for $700 bucks I'm not going to complain.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Capped the ends and tied them into the tabs:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...122_234345.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...122_235007.jpg
Welding a bunch of transitions together
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_000858.jpg
Pretty happy with how it came out
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_003331.jpg
Probably going to cut out a half circle out of the boxing plate for looks. I'll start on the top mounts this weekend.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

looks awesome dude keep it up

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Thanks Trailer.

Finished my link mounts. I wanted to tig weld the whole thing. Figured it would look better and give me more practice. Well 82 welds later....

Upper tabs on. Gusset designing:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_180142.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_215828.jpg
Backside welded in:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_211245.jpg
Welding forever:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_203346.jpg
Frontside welded in:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_211309.jpg
Welding the fishplates on:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_215828.jpg

Done!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...123_224018.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Got the other bedside cut down and prepped for welding
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...126_235533.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Spent some more time on the bed.

Ground down the weld on the bed floor
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...128_182407.jpg
Rattle can primer to keep it from rusting
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...129_171415.jpg
Welded up the second bedside
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...128_221559.jpg
Cool little weld shot. Did a weave to fill a gap that was a bit to big on the bed
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...128_202808.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Started working on my notch/used parts backhalf... I originally made my notch to lay out with the long bed taking into account the frame kicking up over the axle. So now my notches were too short. You can see what I am planning on doing below.
Leveling everything out
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...130_144452.jpg
Removing all the crap from the frame and welding in some crossmembers
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...130_164429.jpg
Laying it out
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...130_154136.jpg
Cutting the frame and putting the notches in
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...131_141946.jpg
It was windy as hell so I had to barricade myself in
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...131_155234.jpg
Always gotta include a weld shot
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...131_155244.jpg
then it got dark...
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...131_204310.jpg
Welded in!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...131_194354.jpg
The rest of the frame that I will reattach higher up.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...131_191858.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Spent some time tonight removing brackets and what not from the rear of the frame. Drew up a quick template and cut the frame to fit the notch. The rear is a bit too high still and the driveway makes it look a lot taller than it is.
Tossed it up there
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...202_210859.jpg
I am off by 1/2'' measuring across the bed. Not bad for not even fitting it up yet.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...202_210946.jpg
I am going to probably notch the side and bend up the bottom to meet the notch so it looks cleaner.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...202_210929.jpg

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Those are really long steps on the weld, I'm used to seeing more like half that... I wonder if there's any real advantage/disadvantage to it.

Since you're linked/bagged and I assume not towing much, I don't imagine the frame needs to be all that beefy behind the bag mounts.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Not sure if I follow you. Do you mean the distance between the scallops on the weld bead? I agree, they are a bit too far apart. I moved a bit too quick with not enough wire speed. That whole area is going to have a gusset and tied into the bag mount (and some other tubes that I haven't laid out 100% yet) but I wasn't too concerned with it as it is welded on both sides and 5 other welds. There is going to be a fishplate on there too.

Re: Used Parts Build
 

Yeah, that's what I mean. In a well designed joint, even a poor quality weld won't be the weak point (not saying that is one), so it shouldn't be a problem, just didn't know if it was on purpose. Not sure I've ever seen a test comparing that to tighter spacing.