Some things you should just leave to the professionals

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Hey guys, its me again.  I have started my front winch bumper project today, I am not far yet but I should be getting a move on it soon here. So basically I will be mounting a winch on my Jeep through the UniBody rails. Two Plates will come out like this l            l  and then there will be a flat plate on top of those and on the bottom for more support.l======l except it will be at the very top and very bottom.  This will be 1/4" steel plate.  I run a 110V Clarke 130EN, and 3/16" is the max it is rated for.  Since this part is what will be undergoing all of the pulling stress, I would like to leave this part to get professionally welded if possible.Is anyone up for this? I do not want an amateur, as I am an amateur. One of the professionals please chime in if you could do me a favor and do this. I will pay shipping, and would give money for supplies and time but do not want to go to a local welding shop and pay them the $50 rate +time and supplies.  PM me if you could do this, I am not sure if I trust my machine enough for this.  Or, is it even possible to weld it strong enough with my machine?  How far from perfect could I be to accomplish this?Your WeldingWeb friend,-PatThanks.Last edited by redhatman; 03-16-2008 at 11:36 PM.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Ship it to me! I'll weld it for you and send it back.No charge just pay the shipping both ways.
Reply:Originally Posted by rmkrider1Ship it to me! I'll weld it for you and send it back.No charge just pay the shipping both ways.
Reply:Glad to see ythat if you doubt your ability you are looking for someone more qualified. It would be nice to know where you live. One of us might actually be near to you and you might be able to save shipping and give it to them instead. Might even learn something in spite of yourself.  I hate when I do that!Last edited by DSW; 03-17-2008 at 12:15 AM.
Reply:Haha, well in this case I prefer not to learn the hard way.I am in Minnesota. Near the Twin Cities.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Originally Posted by redhatmanWhat makes you qualified? What Machine do you run?
Reply:David, where is the welding clinic? I'm guessing half the country away?I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Pat, shipping both ways might cost you about as much as paying a local pro!America Needs AMERICA'S Oil!!!"Global warming is the greatest scam in history ...There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril."--John Coleman, Founder of The Weather Channel
Reply:Originally Posted by redhatmanDavid, where is the welding clinic? I'm guessing half the country away?
Reply:I'll do it for ya just for laffs..I'm tired of welding round stuff...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Not to rain on your parade there redhatman, but are these plates you need welded going to be bolted to the unibody subframe?  That sounds like it could be the weak link in the whole procedure.
Reply:thousands of winch bumpers rely on bolts with no breakage.  I would say it should have a fish plate to make it stronger around the holes but no reason you cant use bolts.I would suggest get it all tacked and prepped and take it to a local shop.  If all they have to do is weld it it should take under an hour easy.  Shipping 1/4 plate winch bumper will be $50 or more one way alone. DO you have any idea what it would cost to ship something so big and heavy?Have we all gone mad?
Reply:I thought he was sending the truck too.  I see a few offers to do it for free.....DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by redhatmanHaha, well in this case I prefer not to learn the hard way.I am in Minnesota. Near the Twin Cities.
Reply:The part I would want welded would just be where the winch plate mounts.I will be using Grade 8 Bolts, so no worries there.  4 bolts into the unibody total and then those would hold the brackets.  The brackets will then have another 4 or 6 bolts holding the bumper to the brackets. The bumper should weigh a good amount. Brackets, only a pound or two. Brackets and winch area will be 1/4". I think I will do the rest 3/16"I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:1/4" right angle steel will go in here. I will grind it out a bit more to accommadate. Something like 2"x5" angle, slides in there with nuts welded to it for the grade 8 bolts to go through. Winch plate will sit on top of the brackets. I think I have decided to leave the winch mounted directly to the brackets vs onto the bumper. I will then have the bumper attatch to an extension of the brackets.I actually took that picture first with a blue NAPA hat on and then thought...wow that was stupid being my name is redhatman. So I found some random red hat, STLouis Cardinals and put that on. Grinded away some insignificant material and took a pic.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Just a few notes.  I would grind out side and wear a full face shield.  When are you going to bring it?  DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:David, I plan on doing it myself as of now. See my thread in projects.I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade
Reply:Originally Posted by redhatmanWhat makes you qualified? What Machine do you run?
Reply:Ya, quit being a ween.. buy or borrow a 220v stick machine and practice!  weld er up!  it's not like it's your steering or anything.
Reply:i build bumpers full time for jeeps and other 4x4s and you made the right choice by getting someone else to burn the winch plate together.  you will need alot of bracing on xj and zj bumpers because the unibody sucks and doesnt really hold up well to being yanked on.  Ive made alot of cherokee bumpers and use 22 bolts in all for mounting each bumper, 7 on each side that include the steering box bolts, 2 on the underside where the swaybar mounts and then four more on the front crossmember, yeah it may be overkill but ive never heard a customer complain about it or anything breaking when winching. here are just a few bumpers that ive made for folks...
Reply:Well, I am actually going to weld it myself but I will use bolts aswell. Pics will show better.As far as mounting, I am pretty sure I will only be doing 4-5 bolts per side. There really isnt much else to brace off of on a ZJ at least....I'm 21 and learningAvid 4wd enthusiastASE Master tech (Automotive), mechanic/fabricator by trade