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 ). 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
Are you serious?! BUY THE WELDER!!!!! If you have the skills and ability, having the welder just gives you the excuse to "obtain" the materials, then you can make any bumper you want! Look for RIPBIKER13's stuff, he has fabbed up some cool stuff at home...unk:
welder for sure. I wish I had learned more from my dad about welding, now I just don't have the time. But it is a great skill to have, and you can make some really cool stuff.
*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
Now THAT has my vote! unk:
Seriously tho. $160 for a bumper or $100 for the welder + $30 in metal = having a bumper AND a welder!
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
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
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.
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
Welder no doubt in my mind and then a pipe bender and make your on stuff! A 220 line is not a big deal either and the cost shouldn't be to bad,as long as you have space in your breaker box for the breaker.
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.
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.
To keep it simple more amps = more power= weld thicker material
the downside is your electrical system must be able to handle it. You do not want to be tripping breakers all the time.
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.
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
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.
Don't waste your money on the little harbor freight one, buddy got one and its quite possibly the biggest piece of garbage ever produced except reality TV.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Ask a question
Ask a question
Jeep Wrangler Forum
9M posts
468K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!