east_tn_81
Adventurer
Looks like it is going well. What is your plan for securing it to the top?
F150 overland build
- Thread starter Raul B
- Start date
Are you MIG welding with Flux Core? Just keep moving around and welding or you the entire rack will get out of square from too much heat.
Looks like you are getting some good penetration on the welds. For the angles you should get some of the magnets to help hold everything in place. You can find them at home depot or Harbor Freight for less than $10 http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=welding magnets
Looks like you are getting some good penetration on the welds. For the angles you should get some of the magnets to help hold everything in place. You can find them at home depot or Harbor Freight for less than $10 http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=welding magnets
yup im using a mig with flux core. by moving around you mean not spending too much time on one section so it doesnt get too hot right? If so thats what ive been doing. Im actually heading to harbor freight today since they have their sale going on. im going to pick up some of those magnets you mentioned
Yep, just moving around so it can't get too warm. I ruined a nice welding table one time by warping the metal from too much heat. GRRRR It's just hard to move when you get those dimes stacking up.
Don't worry too much about getting the welds too pretty with flux core. It just isn't possible without running shielding gas because you will get the splatter. What's important is you are welding on a clean surface, the fitment of your pieces is nice and tight and that you go slow enough to get good penetration. On some of the thicker metals you might want to take a torch and heat up the metal after you get it fitted. This will also help to get a solid weld.
If you don't have any you might get a set of flap discs at Harbor Freight too. They are just as good as the others sold elsewhere and a 200 grit flap disc will make those welds nice and smooth.
Good luck! You have a big project on your hands!
Don't worry too much about getting the welds too pretty with flux core. It just isn't possible without running shielding gas because you will get the splatter. What's important is you are welding on a clean surface, the fitment of your pieces is nice and tight and that you go slow enough to get good penetration. On some of the thicker metals you might want to take a torch and heat up the metal after you get it fitted. This will also help to get a solid weld.
If you don't have any you might get a set of flap discs at Harbor Freight too. They are just as good as the others sold elsewhere and a 200 grit flap disc will make those welds nice and smooth.
Good luck! You have a big project on your hands!
So my wife took care of the kids all day so i can work in the shop and try and get this rack ready before the desert rendezvous. so today i fabricated some mounting brackets that will get welded under the corners.
i also made the top section of the rack and tacked welded onto the bottom section. i also put a cross brase 3/4 of the way down on the bottom section where another set of triangular corner peices will be installed since thats the forward location of where it will mount to the top of my roof rack.
Tomorrow i plan to finish up the angle parts in the front and adding some more braces... I also hope to fully weld the whole thing so i can start grinding it down and getting it ready for paint soon. sometime next week im going to remove my camper shell so thats its easier to work on and get it mounted up to the top of it.
-Raul
i also made the top section of the rack and tacked welded onto the bottom section. i also put a cross brase 3/4 of the way down on the bottom section where another set of triangular corner peices will be installed since thats the forward location of where it will mount to the top of my roof rack.
Tomorrow i plan to finish up the angle parts in the front and adding some more braces... I also hope to fully weld the whole thing so i can start grinding it down and getting it ready for paint soon. sometime next week im going to remove my camper shell so thats its easier to work on and get it mounted up to the top of it.
-Raul
ok here is some more update... I didnt get to spend a whole lot of time on it today so didnt get everything i want done.
Here is an buttom up view of it. I added another set of traingle peices to the bar in the middle
i also added 4" tall pieces around the perimeter to help strengthen the whole thing...
here is a back view
and the rest
so as of right now i still need to finish 2 more mounting brackets that go from those triangle pieces to the top of the shell. I also need to find a place locally that can sell me some of that wire mesh to play on the bottom of the rack and add a couple of more braces. I also still have not added my light mounting tabs since im waiting for my 50" light bar to come in.
-Raul
Here is an buttom up view of it. I added another set of traingle peices to the bar in the middle
i also added 4" tall pieces around the perimeter to help strengthen the whole thing...
here is a back view
and the rest
so as of right now i still need to finish 2 more mounting brackets that go from those triangle pieces to the top of the shell. I also need to find a place locally that can sell me some of that wire mesh to play on the bottom of the rack and add a couple of more braces. I also still have not added my light mounting tabs since im waiting for my 50" light bar to come in.
-Raul
Just became a Decked dealer and ordered one for my truck. Im super excited to try this out. I think its going to be a great sleeping platform as well as excellent for storage.. if you have never heard of it check this out: http://decked.com/
this is what it looks like
this is what it looks like
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escadventure
Adventurer
Wow, that's pretty cool...
ok so im going on trip this weekend and i have been trying to figure out how to mount my tablet for my GPS. i saw a couple of options online but nothing that would work with the tablet so i figured i would start making my own.
i started with a carboard cutout.
as soon as my wife gets home from work im going to go in the shop and cut it out of steel and get it done tonight
ill keep you guys posted
-Raul
i started with a carboard cutout.
as soon as my wife gets home from work im going to go in the shop and cut it out of steel and get it done tonight
ill keep you guys posted
-Raul
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
Just saw those the other day- one of the 4x4 mags had a blurb on them. What is the lead time? Looks like a good deal compared to the Tuffy.
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
4 Wheel & Offroad, a single paragraph showing a generic pic from the rear focusing on the drawer system.
I will wait another week to see your thoughts, as I was about to pull the trigger as well...
I will wait another week to see your thoughts, as I was about to pull the trigger as well...
Rovertrader
Supporting Sponsor
Just went back through the thread and saw you are a RCI dealer as well! I just installed their complete underbody skid from front cross to tranny to T-case, and even the fuel tank and side steps/sliders. Awesome fit and finish- went aluminum except the steps of course.