My first tubing project

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Of coarse it's sliders. I learned a ton about notching tube on this project. I used 1.75 x .120 wall hrew. Had some bad fits with the center supports, but solved that problem as well. Also, first time running MIG, in 23 years, so that was a learning experience as well. I used my Hobart Ironman 210.  Heat was #3, and wire feed 42-46.  I notched with a chop saw, and toched up the notches with my belt sander.I spent the most of last week reading threads here about Mig welding, and they did help.Feel free to tell me what you think.  Thanks for looking. This is how my welds ended up.This is how my welds started out looking like.Finished product.
Reply:This should have at least got a comment or twoI have one heck of a time making a round weld.  I literally cannot do a good job at it.  It's hard to do.  I poke fun at pipeliners, but it's just that, poking fun.The bending job looks pretty good, now you have to pay attention to the fitup.  Be anal about itUse a square, don' t rely on measurements.  Use them, but double check them, and do the eyeball test too.In a bookend match like this, tack everything in place, lay the parts side by side, and look for deviation.  If there is deviation, cut the tacks, and fudge a little, then retack.A nice straight job, even if the welds aren't perfect, is nice to look at.Your name is stamped on everything you do if it's made with steel.  Steel is unforgiving.Personally, I see it getting better with time.  Keep posting."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:The welds in the Top Pic look good. And All in all the Sliders look good. What are you putting them on?TJ
Reply:Crickertj,  Building them for Toyota trucks and 4Runners.  This pair is going on my 85 truck.  farmersamm, this set, the notches were done with my chop saw and finshed with my belt sander.I am going to use my mill for all my notching needs from here on out.  Did some notching with it today, and the fits were perfect.Thanks for your opinions.
Reply:Pardon my ignorance, but what are "sliders"?     I assumed already that they were for trucks, which was confirmed by the comment that they were for Toyotas.  But are they what we call here "grille guards" or are they used to protect the bed rails... or???Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by AquafirePardon my ignorance, but what are "sliders"?     I assumed already that they were for trucks, which was confirmed by the comment that they were for Toyotas.  But are they what we call here "grille guards" or are they used to protect the bed rails... or???
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWThey go under the doors like step bars to keep you from banging rocks into the door panels off roading.
Reply:These look great, especially for the intended application...which is bashing on rocks.  How are you mounting them to your truck?MM175 MIGCutmaster 38 PlasmaCraftsman 30gal compressor4x6 HF bandsaw1hp HF floor drill pressRyobi Cutoff SawAssorted grindersNot enough time
Reply:They will be welded on.
Reply:Originally Posted by tortisThey will be welded on.
Reply:These are going on my 85 Toyota.  I guess they must have used cheap steel back then, because thousands have weld sliders, cages, and bumpers to their frames with no problems..   Most F-Toys are Toyota frames with lots of tubing welded to them.  I will using scales and gussets for my install.Not doubting what you are saying for newer models is true.Last edited by tortis; 01-21-2010 at 05:47 PM.
Reply:....because thousands have weld sliders, cages, and bumpers to their frames with no problems..
Reply:It's kind of funny how people who weld are telling you to use bolts??  It's just a guess, are you worried about strength?  If you think about it there are only 4 bolts hold your rear axle on and you trust that everyday you drive that vehicle.
Reply:I personally prefer bolting because if you mess up one while offroading or something it's alot easier to take the offending parts off for repair. Strength is not a problem if you use big enough grade 8 bolts. I'm not a big fan of welding to the frame, but it does depend on the individual situation, biggest thing is what the frame is made of. Cold rolled high strength steel will be weakened every time though. cold roll gets it's strength from stretching out the grains of steel, the second you weld it those grains revert to what they were before the rolling process, more rounded than stretch and definently weaker.I guess in some situations it'll be ok and others it won't. This is by far a bigger concern on heavier trucks.