new!!!! first welding project: flatbed

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hows it going fellas..... brand new to the forum and a novice at welding, my first weld project was a flat bed for my truck...would like some opinons from the veterans..... i think i did decent heres a few pics[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
Reply:The outer wheels are open-no fenders, etc. In many/most or all states--that's not kosher.Blackbird
Reply:Clean looking. Not likely legal. Needs som mud flaps, three light bar, ICC bumper, license plate, something covering the tires...Like I said Looks nice, just not legal.
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonThe outer wheels are open-no fenders, etc. In many/most or all states--that's not kosher.
Reply:yea forgot about the fenders for the tires i was goin for an aggressive look .....goin to fab something up for thoseLast edited by jollyroger; 11-14-2010 at 05:54 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by welderShaneYup i agree. Looks nice, what kind of wood did you use?
Reply:Looks good but would have been best to make that flatbed the width of the dual wheels.  I would make the front part that is against the cab much taller like a headache rack.
Reply:Nice workmanship.Unfortunately, to use the bed on this chassis, the narrow width and the minimal tire clearance for suspension travel look to be a major problems. It'd probably be ideal on a single wheel chassis.Sell it and build another?Or cut and widen?Good Luck
Reply:Looks fantastic for a first effort, I think any member here would be proud of it.  I agree with mowerpan.  You should widen the bed to at least the outside width of the outer wheels, add some more planks, mudflaps and you're done.  Some clearance lights on the corners would also be good.Optionally a headache rack behind the cab would be handy.  Instead of the flip down tie downs, put a flat bar along each side of the bed similar to what you see on a large truck trailer, even a couple of ratchet winches for web tie down under the side would be good.  Also consider some stake pockets along each side and the back so you could make some removable sides and a rear gate if needed.Why all the tie downs and sides?  A few years ago, I got pulled over with a Ford truck with an 8 x 12 foot flatbed.  I had bought 20 bags of sandblast sand to get the best price.  Had the bags in the center of the bed, none nearer than 2' from the edge laying flat.  I got pulled over by a MOT inspector for an insecure load.  Despite my pointing out that the MOT spreads millions of tons of sand and salt on the roads during winter and that none of the bags was likely to move and fall off anyway he was not going to let me go until the load was secured.  Thinking he meant chains and binders I asked how I was supposed to do this and he said I should have a tarp or cargo net over it.  Ok, but I had neither, so he let me zig zag a rope over it and be on my way.  Guy was fair and helpful, never wrote me a ticket but could have.Long story short, with a flatbed, use every possibility to secure or tie your load down or risk a ticket."The reason we are here is that we are not all there"SA 200Idealarc TM 300 300MM 200MM 25130a SpoolgunPrecision Tig 375Invertec V350 ProSC-32 CS 12 Wire FeederOxweld/Purox O/AArcAirHypertherm Powermax 85LN25
Reply:thanks for all the reviews guys...really, even the bad's are welcome...... and trust me i slapped myself in the face when i saw the bed is to dam close to the tires......(a heavy load might rub like a mofo)all yalls opinions are goin into my final draft...
Reply:Originally Posted by noriteLooks fantastic for a first effort, I think any member here would be proud of it.  I agree with mowerpan.  You should widen the bed to at least the outside width of the outer wheels, add some more planks, mudflaps and you're done.  Some clearance lights on the corners would also be good.Optionally a headache rack behind the cab would be handy.  Instead of the flip down tie downs, put a flat bar along each side of the bed similar to what you see on a large truck trailer, even a couple of ratchet winches for web tie down under the side would be good.  Also consider some stake pockets along each side and the back so you could make some removable sides and a rear gate if needed.Why all the tie downs and sides?  A few years ago, I got pulled over with a Ford truck with an 8 x 12 foot flatbed.  I had bought 20 bags of sandblast sand to get the best price.  Had the bags in the center of the bed, none nearer than 2' from the edge laying flat.  I got pulled over by a MOT inspector for an insecure load.  Despite my pointing out that the MOT spreads millions of tons of sand and salt on the roads during winter and that none of the bags was likely to move and fall off anyway he was not going to let me go until the load was secured.  Thinking he meant chains and binders I asked how I was supposed to do this and he said I should have a tarp or cargo net over it.  Ok, but I had neither, so he let me zig zag a rope over it and be on my way.  Guy was fair and helpful, never wrote me a ticket but could have.Long story short, with a flatbed, use every possibility to secure or tie your load down or risk a ticket.
Reply:I'd say raise the whole bed ~6-12" as-is, add a hoop at the front that extends the front up & goes above the rear window & then build in 2 steel flares for the tires, would look badazz & you won't have to rip apart what you already built, kinda have that stepside look to it with the flares... looks good so far miller 330a bp TIGmiller dynasty 200DX TIGmillermatic 185 MIGthermal dynamics cutmaster 101 plasma cuttersnap-on YA5550 plasma cutterhypertherm powermax 30 plasma cutterbaileigh CS225 cold sawetc....
Reply:Hey jollyroger,Being a newbie/novice with welding/fabrication/design is quite evident as with all newbies. Member, denrep, gave you the proper advice....."sell it & build another". Although you may think your project is "cool", & some may think it "looks" great, both of those attributes are useless if you have any intention of using it as a welding bed.1)  You failed to do any homework regarding overall dimensions that would be appropriate for setting up a welding rig.2)  Researching weight factors, suspension parameters, storage possibilities, safety implementations, & options that may come into play, was apparently not on your "concern" list, that is, if you ever made a "project application list". Any initial project begins with a "PLAN", a piece of paper with a drawing/sketch of overall specs that would take all considerations for usage. Then a materials list with structural integrity concerns for SAFETY. Then, options can be penciled onto the drawing for optimum storage & usage needs. HOMEWORK!  Without it, just another idea that becomes totally useless for the desired results.My response is to illuminate you & all the youngsters/newbies that simply jumping into a project without proper thought/planning results in less-than-desired outcomes. The members have responded with observations/experiences you need to log-into-memory for future projects. Criticism is simply mental fodder for your advancement to become better, especially with the areas of vehicle modification & SAFETY. You may find that "cool" really is an invitation for serious complications one day...... take suggestions/opinions with a grain of salt.DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:The bed looks good, but not on that truck. The next one you build needs to be wider. Also needs a heavy bumper. Make sure you cap off the tubeing or it will bleed rust over time.For the most part you have some skills but an itchy trigger finger. Plan it out more next time. Most important, are you happy with the bed?
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey jollyroger,Being a newbie/novice with welding/fabrication/design is quite evident as with all newbies. Member, denrep, gave you the proper advice....."sell it & build another". Although you may think your project is "cool", & some may think it "looks" great, both of those attributes are useless if you have any intention of using it as a welding bed.1)  You failed to do any homework regarding overall dimensions that would be appropriate for setting up a welding rig.2)  Researching weight factors, suspension parameters, storage possibilities, safety implementations, & options that may come into play, was apparently not on your "concern" list, that is, if you ever made a "project application list". Any initial project begins with a "PLAN", a piece of paper with a drawing/sketch of overall specs that would take all considerations for usage. Then a materials list with structural integrity concerns for SAFETY. Then, options can be penciled onto the drawing for optimum storage & usage needs. HOMEWORK!  Without it, just another idea that becomes totally useless for the desired results.My response is to illuminate you & all the youngsters/newbies that simply jumping into a project without proper thought/planning results in less-than-desired outcomes. The members have responded with observations/experiences you need to log-into-memory for future projects. Criticism is simply mental fodder for your advancement to become better, especially with the areas of vehicle modification & SAFETY. You may find that "cool" really is an invitation for serious complications one day...... take suggestions/opinions with a grain of salt.Denny
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey jollyroger,Being a newbie/novice with welding/fabrication/design is quite evident as with all newbies. Member, denrep, gave you the proper advice....."sell it & build another". Although you may think your project is "cool", & some may think it "looks" great, both of those attributes are useless if you have any intention of using it as a welding bed.1)  You failed to do any homework regarding overall dimensions that would be appropriate for setting up a welding rig.2)  Researching weight factors, suspension parameters, storage possibilities, safety implementations, & options that may come into play, was apparently not on your "concern" list, that is, if you ever made a "project application list". Any initial project begins with a "PLAN", a piece of paper with a drawing/sketch of overall specs that would take all considerations for usage. Then a materials list with structural integrity concerns for SAFETY. Then, options can be penciled onto the drawing for optimum storage & usage needs. HOMEWORK!  Without it, just another idea that becomes totally useless for the desired results.My response is to illuminate you & all the youngsters/newbies that simply jumping into a project without proper thought/planning results in less-than-desired outcomes. The members have responded with observations/experiences you need to log-into-memory for future projects. Criticism is simply mental fodder for your advancement to become better, especially with the areas of vehicle modification & SAFETY. You may find that "cool" really is an invitation for serious complications one day...... take suggestions/opinions with a grain of salt.Denny
Reply:Now that the external appearance/function items have been touched on....The how's of the construction of the supporting framework of the flatbedand in particular--THE CONNECTIONS MADE TO THE VEHICLE FRAMEIt would be wholly appropriate for some OP pictures of the same,for some civil discussion.....so-Jolly Roger...if you can furnish pics ofthe connections and beams---you and a host of others just might learn a few more useful things.Blackbird
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey jollyroger,Being a newbie/novice with welding/fabrication/design is quite evident as with all newbies. Member, denrep, gave you the proper advice....."sell it & build another". Although you may think your project is "cool", & some may think it "looks" great, both of those attributes are useless if you have any intention of using it as a welding bed.1)  You failed to do any homework regarding overall dimensions that would be appropriate for setting up a welding rig.2)  Researching weight factors, suspension parameters, storage possibilities, safety implementations, & options that may come into play, was apparently not on your "concern" list, that is, if you ever made a "project application list". Any initial project begins with a "PLAN", a piece of paper with a drawing/sketch of overall specs that would take all considerations for usage. Then a materials list with structural integrity concerns for SAFETY. Then, options can be penciled onto the drawing for optimum storage & usage needs. HOMEWORK!  Without it, just another idea that becomes totally useless for the desired results.My response is to illuminate you & all the youngsters/newbies that simply jumping into a project without proper thought/planning results in less-than-desired outcomes. The members have responded with observations/experiences you need to log-into-memory for future projects. Criticism is simply mental fodder for your advancement to become better, especially with the areas of vehicle modification & SAFETY. You may find that "cool" really is an invitation for serious complications one day...... take suggestions/opinions with a grain of salt.Denny
Reply:Originally Posted by dave powelsonNow that the external appearance/function items have been touched on....The how's of the construction of the supporting framework of the flatbedand in particular--THE CONNECTIONS MADE TO THE VEHICLE FRAMEIt would be wholly appropriate for some OP pictures of the same,for some civil discussion.....so-Jolly Roger...if you can furnish pics ofthe connections and beams---you and a host of others just might learn a few more useful things.