FM82 Offroad Teardrop Build

[dcollier32]

Actually, I lucked up and got it at a wholesale price locally from a friend who owns a sign/vinyl shop. I gave $55 per sheet. I looked it up online and couldn't seem to find anyone that I could get it from.
I take that back. I think I did find one place, but it was in the $200.00+ range per sheet...IF you buy 5 or less :/

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Holy crap that's high...!

 

[FireMedic82]

Ha yea! Outrageously high.

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[Glenn D]

On one of the other trailer build threads, there was a pic of a simple jig to bend square tubing that worked well.. this may work for you ... I hope to build one someday, and save ideas and pics so I can remember how to do stuff....

 

[FireMedic82]

That's pretty cool. Good idea. I would have to cut a MUCH larger piece out for the size die I need, but definately an option. Thanks Glenn, I appreciate it!

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[FireMedic82]

Good lord in heaven, what a ridiculously monotonous process that was. That's ok though..I could bend this thing around a gnats assp if I wanted to now. One more to go!





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[FireMedic82]

Finally some forward progress with these shapes. Getting them matched up now.





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[FireMedic82]

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[jim65wagon]

Nicely done! Egad that looks time consuming though! How many slices did you wind up making? and just how many spotwelds is that? You have patience! The curvature looks just right though, spot on!

 

[skersfan]

Good work sir, but I would still weld an L to connect both ends. Vibration can crack them, not likely but have seen it happen. Making good progress, and your own design = pride and confidence.

 

[FireMedic82]

Thanks jim. It's 55 cuts and a total of 165 spot weld after I took that pic. Lol, I didn't think it was that many.

Thanks skers! Good thought on the L brace. I may just do that.

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[skersfan]

Many years ago, when I bought ProTrac trailers, they were wood wall off road trailers. I converted to steel and had to make sharper bends to hold to the ProTrac lines. I ended up doing the first 15-20 trailers exactly like that. I had one break that I know of, but we just tacked it again. The key is making both at the same time time which you did. There is a black tape called Fiber Fix, you could wrap it with after grinding all edges smooth. Their web site is www.fiberfix.com. I have never used it, but the ACE hardware guru (great guy and smart) highly recommends it for emergency repair. I bought a roll of it, but have never found the need for it, but I think it would make the bends unbreakable according to my friend.

 

[FireMedic82]

I'll have to look into that one. That sounds like that would be a good fix. As it sits right now, and I'm sure you're familiar, trying to put even a small bead on there heats it up too much and pops my tack welds, so that may be a good idea if it holds as good as they say.

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[FireMedic82]

I did the front the same way skers, except I had to bend them the opposite way to get that tight bend easily, so that fiber tape would really need to go up front for sure.



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[silvrzuki77]

I know your pain on doing bends like that. Lookin good!

 

[FireMedic82]

Thanks zuke. I appreciate it.

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