Ok, well i've been using my little Lincoln Wire-pac 100 for about 3 years now. Making fences for my yard, Weight racks for me / my buddies. And my latest Creation. I bought a 7ft flat bed trailer for 200$ to haul my quad on. Didn't really like the idea of just a flat bed so this is what it looks like now. 17 hours of work. Cutting, beads are imaculate. But i'm looking for something more articulate. I want to learn how to weld bumpers / bed cages / roll cages / engine cages... What type of material for tube bumpers / as well as what type of welder is most commonly used for these?

 

1-3/4 inch round steel tubing. with seams for most but for the joints, seamless.


seamless is REALLY expenisive, so...

 

Most common would be 1 1/2" .120wall Mild Steel Tube. From there its all up to you. You can change the size up or down, type of steel (DOM, Chromo), and so on. But 1 1/2" .120 is the most common used.

Miller 135/175, Hobart (made by Miller) 140/180 (or the older 135/175) MIG (GMAW).

You are also going to want to run solid wire with a shielding gas such as C75, MigMix, GoldGas... ect.. Fluxcore is not your friend.

If you haven't yet I would suggest taking a class at a local community college or other place. You may think you know it all, but it is worth the time to take a class.

In the end it all comes down to machine settings and technique. I can't emphasise enough, PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. When your building something that can save or end your life you better damn sure you know what your doing.

Good luck!

Your refering to ColdRolled ERW Mild Steel (with seams) and DOM (Drawn Over Madrel) (seamless) or 4130 Chromoly (also seamless).

Around here ERW goes for 1.20/ft, DOM 3.00/ft, 4130 6.00/ft, so Gils right, its not necisary.

If you are going to build a roll cage in your truck and have the money, DOM is the way to go, but ERW will work just fine.

 

Thanks guys