Steel question

[Hydrolock]

Hey,

Im looking into building my own steel bumpers....only problems are Money and tools.

My friend offered up his garage to do it but his welder only can go up to 1/8 inch...IS that good enough to make a bumper?


Any helpful hints and tricks?


Thank you
Jordan

 

[JeepFreak21]

Hey,

Im looking into building my own steel bumpers....only problems are Money and tools.

My friend offered up his garage to do it but his welder only can go up to 1/8 inch...IS that good enough to make a bumper?


Any helpful hints and tricks?


Thank you
Jordan

IMO, 1/8th inch is too thin for parts that might contact rocks as well, as for the mounting brackets, and any kind of recovery points. Maybe you could consider tacking it all together and then, either taking it to a pro to weld, or having a local buddy come over and finish burning it in?

Billy

 

[Hydrolock]

What is you recommendation for the thickness? (I dont come in contact with that many big rocks, Im more of a mudder)

 

[asp]

3/16 or 1/4 is what's usually used. i didn't make my own because i ended up getting a good deal on a good aftermarket one, but any plate that's on it is 1/4 and the tubes are (i'm guessing a little on this one) 1.5" Dia and 3/16 wall. it all depends on your design, but i wouldn't trust less than 3/16 for most designs. if i were you, i would use 1/4 on the areas that mount to the unibody

 

[Phil]

IMO, 1/8th inch is too thin for parts that might contact rocks as well, as for the mounting brackets, and any kind of recovery points.

Whoops.

 

[slcpunk74]

maybe get some 1/4 plate to mount to the frame and then get some 3/16x 2x4 tube to use between that. Then from there the end pieces are up to you. I bet if you could do a little pre-heat with a torch and get a good weld you would be ok. Thats just my opinion if this welder is your only option.

 

[Hydrolock]

If I use 3/16 can I just reinforce it with some DOM tubing? (Using 1/4 for the frame mounts)

 

[Mr.OverKill]

the thickness is all subject to your design and what you are putting it through, i have several designs and every one of them use different thicknesses in different areas. but i do agree the 3/16 but you don't NEED the 1/4 to mount it, 3/16 will work just as well, think about it, if the jeep is sheet metal and the bumper is 3/16 why put 1/4 in between them?? OK, i know the 1/4 is strong and can handle the load, of the 3/16?

just a thought, always made me scratch my head, people want to beef up some of the strangest things some times

 

[slcpunk74]

the thickness is all subject to your design and what you are putting it through, i have several designs and every one of them use different thicknesses in different areas. but i do agree the 3/16 but you don't NEED the 1/4 to mount it, 3/16 will work just as well, think about it, if the jeep is sheet metal and the bumper is 3/16 why put 1/4 in between them?? OK, i know the 1/4 is strong and can handle the load, of the 3/16?

just a thought, always made me scratch my head, people want to beef up some of the strangest things some times

true true. I just said 1/4 because for every 1 person that says 3/16 there are 10 that will flame you and say 1/4 is all there is. I actually plan to use 3/16 on my next set of frame plates.

 

[slcpunk74]

If I use 3/16 can I just reinforce it with some DOM tubing? (Using 1/4 for the frame mounts)

how so? I was saying it is easy to extend frame plates out to match the shape of the 2x4 tube. Like the jcr bumpers http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=XJB

After you get it mounted and get the 2x4 between the mount plates you can build tube side protectors or whatever you want. I think if you boxed 3/16 sheet correctly on the sides you would be amazed what abuse it could take.

 

[Weasel]

tube style bumper would be fine at .12 wall.

 

[slcpunk74]

tube style bumper would be fine at .12 wall.

I assume you are talking about round tube? I think .120 wall round would be fine but I would go to .180 if it were rect tube. I was also saying 3/16(.1875") sheet if boxed well.

 

[Weasel]

yeah round, personally I would make a 1/8 bumper with lots of bends, ect and rock with it.

 

[98XJROKS]

"Money and tools" are always a problem. Sometimes you’re better off saving up and buying. That being said....

I built my winch bumper out of 1/4" and 1/8" steel. I built the frame mounts and winch plate out of 1/4, the tow points out of 1" welded to the frame mounts and winch plate and the outer skeleton from the 1/8" to save weight.
Did it all with a Hobart Handler 140 w/75/25

 

[Wolfie]

If your welder wont work with the thickness try grinding the edges down to 1/8 or less. that is how professionals do it. it takes time, but you should do it anyway, even if your welder can handle the thicker iron. i use stick anywhere that i need a good, strong weld: starting with 6010 5P++, cleaning with a wire wheel and finishing with 7018. time consuming, but you end with a very strong weld. Remember, you don’t have to have a weld along the whole joint, many well placed 2-3 inch welds will be just as strong if you get good penetration, and pre-heating is a very good idea too. The best advice I can give is Practice your welding. Steel is Steel, it might be pricy but if you mess up it can be fixed. Im going to make my bumpers for my MJ out of Channel and plate to fit... Probably 1/4 for the channel but 1/8 for the plate, if you reinforce it right, will be just as strong and lighter. Angles also help to reinforce the steel... ultimately its your call. Good luck