Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 2, 2020 (edited) Well I am attempting to fab up one of those nice old bumpers like many had once upon a time. I’ve yet to see them for sale, & know I can make one! this was my old one... I really thought I wanted 1” Sch 40 pipe. When I showed the guy at the metal shop, he talked me into 3/4” pipe. I think it may be too small, but I’m moving forward anyway. IF I think it’s too small, I’ll make one from 1” pipe like the original plan. Here is a pic of the first one bent. I think once all fabbed & mocked up I’ll decide on how much to trim if any off the ends. She will get a couple coats of a good primer, then Bedliner to match the racks. Edited January 2, 2020 by Wheeler 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 2, 2020 (edited) Had to go get 1” pipe as it was making me nutz! Edited January 2, 2020 by Wheeler 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 3, 2020 Ran out of Oxygen so she's on hold until tomorrow when I can get some more. It's really hard to keep the two bends square with each other. I have to tweak the one end a little to try & keep it equal with the other. I'm confident it will turn out nice when I'm done. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mac102004 424 Posted January 3, 2020 I think the 1" was a better choice. Looks good so far. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBRider 1,391 Posted January 3, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, Mac102004 said: Edited January 3, 2020 by TBRider Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toodeep 1,737 Posted January 3, 2020 That would have matched the front bumper on my old 300. The original was messed up and I had a 450 Foreman bumper that was messed up so I combined them for an easy bumper. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 3, 2020 Just got home.... This is costing a lot more $ than anticipated... Picked up 4 more bottles of o2 & 1lb of 3/32 brazing rod. I don't have oxy acetylene nor a welder. I'm going to try & braze the joints. If that doesn't work, then I'll have to take it to get welded... I will have er together today! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 3, 2020 (edited) Both bent. Equal length & bends. Now to fab up the little supports & get them all together so it looks like a true bumper & not just some pipe. Lol What u guys figure? 4” centers like the pic? Edited January 3, 2020 by Wheeler 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 3, 2020 Looking good. Two more joints to braze then need som small flat bar for the mount. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 4, 2020 Well felling like I lost... I feel happy with the brazed joints holding the two main pipes together. But I can’t get the top flat bar to take. Maybe a different metal.. so I’m gonna fab the brackets up to hold it to the atv. I’m going to take it to either a buddies to weld it or the boys at work next week. I did the best I could for what I had to work with. 3/4 & 3/8 pipe $35 1” pipe $30 1 bottle Mapp & o2 $27 4 bottles o2 & braze rod $124 1 more bottle of o2 $20 1 & 1 1/2 flat bar $9 let me tell u.. $245 for the rear bumper was not the plan!!! After this, I know I could build one for $50 in material. I’ll never try to braze like this on a bumper again. I just take pride when I accomplish something nice myself..... 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 4, 2020 Just decided that I could use a welder... going to buy a Mig welder tomorrow. Found one on sale... $159 reg $299 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
superrman77 67 Posted January 4, 2020 It's amazing what you can do with a mig welder. The biggest expense is buying the tank and fuel for it. What model welder are you getting? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 4, 2020 (edited) Thats the flux core I'm gonna grab. Be great for the amount of welding I'll really do.... http://unclewiener.com/product/blue-viper-mig-100-wire-welder/ Edited January 4, 2020 by Wheeler Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 5, 2020 This welder rocks! I’ll have a nice update shortly. Almost done & looks fantastic..... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 5, 2020 She’s on. Just need to fab weld two top brackets. Square & level. Equal all around. I’m very happy other that what I have spent! 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Wilson_™ 6,435 Posted January 5, 2020 Wheeler .... That looks great! That's just what i need for my 300, NICE JOB.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBRider 1,391 Posted January 5, 2020 Nice job wheeler 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 5, 2020 Here’s the upper brackets. I just have to pull bumper, clean up some splatter, then hit we with primer before a few coats of Berliner. I’ll see if I can get some plastic caps for the ends later. I’m not the best welder, but happy with it. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBRider 1,391 Posted January 5, 2020 A can of stop splatter goes along way, you can also rub a bit of tip dip to help with splatter, just rub it around the sides of the weld. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishfiles 19,760 Posted January 5, 2020 I was going to mention before and I didn't , a mig works a lot better if you are pumping gas to it , is the unit you bought capable of gas flow and get rid of that flux core 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 5, 2020 I went with flux core because of cost. For the amount I’ll weld & what I will this will be perfect. I have first coat of bedlinner on. Love it because it hides so much. She’s getting couple coats. I’ll leave it hanging in garage with heat on over nite before I put on for good. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBRider 1,391 Posted January 5, 2020 Here's an idea for you if you want.... Fill the tube ends with a bit of spray foam,after its hard cut off any that popped out, then you can put some of the red body patch fill over the foam and sand it down for a finished look. Then your tubes will be sealed and wont rust from the inside out. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
_Wilson_™ 6,435 Posted January 6, 2020 (edited) It should be fine.... With the tube thickness.... I would by pass on plugging the ends , unless you plug it all the way (end to end) Edited January 6, 2020 by _Wilson_™ 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheeler 2,475 Posted January 6, 2020 Couldn’t help myself. Had to mount it!! 9 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jeepwm69 7,233 Posted January 6, 2020 Looks great! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
