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welder or front bumper

11K views 69 replies 21 participants last post by  MME 
#1 · (Edited)
i can get an arc welder with mask and everything complete for under $100 (new too). honestly though...i probably wouldnt be making jeep parts (i never see squre tube to make stuff like bumpers :confused:). it would be mainly to learn the trade and possibly get a job (at a custom shop) during the rest of my high school year and/or summer after high school. (i gotta admit that it would be pretty cool to make my own bumper if i could find the right material.)

or i could get a front bumper...if so which one?

currie shorty front - $160 shipped

stubby square tube style (like warn and LOD) front bumper from local
fabricator...does great work and i can pick it up locally for $125

looked at the LOD front bumper but with shipping it would be over $180...can't quite afford that

help me decide...bumper or welder? :)
 
#4 ·
haha...speaking of ripbiker, i already sent him a PM.

i have NO experience with welding...but thats why i wanna buy one...so i can learn...

it would be cool if my Dad was still around...he could weld very good...

i'm leaning towards the welder too...and if i can find the material to make a bumper then that will solve the bumper problem too :D
 
#5 ·
*2 for the welder. Wish I would have picked it up back in HS. Had to find a class some 16 years later before I could start making stuff. Get the welder, make some custom parts, sell 'em online, make a billion $$ in the process, and retire by the age of 20 :D

Now THAT has my vote! :punk:

Seriously tho. $160 for a bumper or $100 for the welder + $30 in metal = having a bumper AND a welder!

Here's mine...cost was only $30 in material...
 
#6 ·
hahaha...nice idea!

that looks pretty sweet.

i have been lookin at arc welders...but if i get one it will have to be 110v because i don't have 220v outlets...will that be strong enough to weld the steel that bumpers are made of??

actually...if i could make a bumper and sell it...that would be awesome haha...i've got the time :D

don't arc welders use wire? hope the wire doesn't cost too much...may need some kind of cutter too...maybe a sawzall...or somethin that uses heat may be better
 
#7 ·
A Sawzall and an angle grinder would be good for starters. They both have a lot of uses. Look in the yellow pages for steel supplier. They shouldn't be too hard to find. Get yourself a chunk of 2"x4" with .125" wall thickness.
 
#8 ·
Find a couple batteries. Double as a good trail welder too. I wouldn't trust a 110V arc welder, probably would take multiple passes to get good penetration, especially in the hands of a novice. A 220V is alot more forgiving just because of its power.

Also, square is as cool as round for bumpers, its all in the design and finish:D
 
#12 ·
I would get a welder, stay away from the 110 arc welder it uses rods, a 110 mig welder uses the wire and is a little better. 220 is your best bet but more expensive. I have a little 110 mig welder which is OK for lighter materials. I make things at home with 110 and just tack them together then take them to work for finish welding. Welding is a good skill to have, even if you do not work in the field.
Think of it this way you can buy a 2 bumpers ( front and back ) 1 time $300-$500
or learn to weld and you can make bumpers, skid plates, axle brackets, roll cage etc. for your lifetime no matter what kind of vehicle you own or get.
 
#15 ·
I would get a welder, stay away from the 110 arc welder it uses rods, a 110 mig welder uses the wire and is a little better. 220 is your best bet but more expensive.
How is mig welding any better than stick welding? If anything, I prefer stick for varied materials in that I don't have to switch an entire spool of wire when switching materials. Also, anyone good with a stick machine will pick up mig welding much much easier.

Anyone can mig and make it look good, doesn't mean its strong, no matter what you choose learn from someone who knows what they are doing so you don't learn bad habits.

Also, don't learn to weld on anything that your life depends on. Bumpers are fine, but don't make suspension components or cages until you trust yourself.
 
#16 ·
Sorry I never meant to say one was better then the other but I did use a 110 stick before and it just never had enough amps or duty cycle to get a good weld that is why I bought a big lincoln 220 (sold it last year), I also have a 110 mig and use it for the non critical lighter materials.
 
#19 ·
the only 2 rated are as follows

165 amp = 10% duty cycle

120 amp= 60% @ 50 amps and 10% @ 120 amps (says "best for welding plate steel")

i am looking at welding ".125 wall thickness" i guess...whatever thickness bumper materia is...im guessing that would be 3/16" or 1/4"
 
#23 ·
I picked up welding while being aboard the R/V langseth. I found it a fun and cool skill. It wasnt really hard, biggest thing to learn is what rods for what materials and what amperage for the material you are welding. I have only done arc welding no mig or tig. I have been thinking of getting a welding machine myself for just this same reason. I have heard that the 220 v ones are by far the better choice. faster duty cycles and more amps to weld thicker materials. But I havel also heard that 110 v migs are not too bad for a shady tree mechanic. Sorry I am not much help, I am in the same boat. But if I could afford a good quality welding machine. I would setup a 220v circuit in my garage and have the welder in there. I think having the welder and practicing building bumpers and such is a better choice than buying a bumper. You can order steel from the internet like mcmaster carr a bit pricey or just google it and see what you find. Still scrap is going for a pretty penny so it maybe hard to get a some scrap steel from a steel yard.
Well good luck.
Cheers,
Bern
 
#33 ·
Welder if its what you want to do, its not easy and takes a lot of practice. You don't just sit down and lay down a good bead and produce a solid weld. Specially on a arc, your going to to melt some metal and burn a lot of rods so get ready to get slag in ur ear or in your pants.

Best tip I can give you from welding my self, get comfortable or else your going to have a hard time welding, specially learning. Invest into good PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Gloves, Shirts, welding hood, and Ear plugs. Heck grab you a Nomex suit, you'll enjoy it. ;)

I think welding is a great skill to learn but it's not for everyone. I learned on the job how to weld from a older guy. He said he could teach a monkey to weld, he tought me anyway.

Take some metal shop classes while your in high school and then get some when your out of school as well.

~Lev
 
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