Welding projects (non pro)

So, I've been putzing around with welding for about a decade and a half now, and with relatively little professional tutorage, I do pretty good making stuff that never existed before. On occasion, like with this bumper I just built for my 94 Hilux, it's more of a practice, and enjoy process, vs a labor project. I've been an Auto Mechanic, Carpenter, Cabinet maker, Renovations contractor, and GC, but I can say that the practice of welding gives me the most joy, because what I make can last way longer than I will ever live to be.

This is my Hilux bumper build and the reason I didn't buy one, was because I had most of the materials just lying around. My OEM bumper rotted out after 30 years, and it was a real safety hazard, or so some LEO said to me (haha). The center rotted out years ago, and both "wings" were still bolted on, until at least I simply bent them back and forth a few times, and wound up in my hands.

OEM Bumper :


First step in making a bumper is the mounts. Fabbed these up out of some 1/4" steel lying around, and mounted them. They were sized based upon the new bumper width, which was dictated by some old c channel I had lying round.



Next was the caps. Again, the old C-Channel made up the top sectors of the bumper, and were tacked to the brackets before I went any further.



The drop was made from some 2x3 tubing, again from what I had lying round from other projects. Welding is NOT my profession, but as th man in the box said...

"buried in my SHIT"

Ooops... Wrong thread.


"practice makes perfect.... or at least good enough"



Clamped the drop to the top rails, and tacked.





Started on the bottom rails:



Stage 2 completed:


Had to add end caps, and while I was "experimenting" per a buddy of mine, I decided to swap over to flux core, and see how that was to play with. Really not digging it, but it does work, I guess, just a lot messier.


Switched back to 75/25, and continued.

Added the screening, cleaned up the welds, and it was ready to be sent to the powder coating company for coating




Picked up the bumper, threw it on the truck, and I'm done. Some say to throw some lights in there behind the screening, but for now, my old rusty heap of a ride is good enough.




I've made a few other projects, another bumper, and some weird stuff over the years. Another one under the belt, and something to BS about.

 

Buddy of mine said "add another rail", and sent me this. Haha, that would have been cool



l

 

I, Spraynard, can punish the wicked with self-shielded wire.

It's disconcerting as the puddle is obscured.