Tube control arms

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I've been working on prototyping some new control arms for a Nissan truck. Its getting control arms because he bent the stock arms and doesn't want to do it again, and also for the cool factor. I've spent a few days taking measurements and making a jig, templates for the plate and bent tube with notches, and them building the arm itself. I've only welded one up so far, I will weld the next tonight and start testing. I will then find out if I need to change anything. If not, I will send the templates to be laser cut for cleanliness, and ease on my part. It takes too long for me to make the ball joint plate. Materials are 1.75" .125" wall chomoly bushing sleeve (used chromoly because it is accurate in size) 1" .1875" wall DOM tube, and mild .250" plate. Welder was set at 170 amps, 1/16" filler and 3/32 red tungsten. Let me know what you think? I know I need to work on my consistency, and I got a bubble at the end of one weld.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:Looks OK from here but...I really don't like the brown soot in a few pics..Stay away from contaminating from the tungestion...I know what I'm looking at...And that's what causes it.....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:I think it looks great.   I would space my dips closer and add 2 more passes or make 3 smaller passes.  If the plate is 1/4".  Its the UPPER correct?Don't get me wrong, it looks great the way it is.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Yes it is an upper arm. I am asking because I have not done the other arm yet and I am looking for ways to improve before I weld it up. These arms won't actually be run on the truck. I'm trying to improve as much as I can before building the final set.I did dip the tungsten a couple times, but I replaced it as soon as I did. I'm still getting the hang of that on the round tubing. I also noticed as I traveled around the tube my torch angle became less ideal than it should be. So I need to work on that as well.Just seeking advice. Thanks for the input so far.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:Those really look nice. Very nice welds and a nice design. Great work.ESAB Tigmaster 252 Miller MillerMatic 252 migLots and Lots of toolsNot much but a startWoohooo I just got a bandsaw given to me. So bandsaw nowNow a free hydraulic press
Reply:here's a link for ball joint plates: http://www.aa-mfg.com/pdshop/shop/item.asp?itemid=246
Reply:Thanks, but thats for a Chevy balljoint. And it only costs me $5 to get each one cut.I got the second arm today and then mocked one up. On final assembly it will get a single .250" thick washer on the inside of the bushings, rather than two .125" washers, and I will make an aluminum or stainless washer for the outside that is the correct size for the new bushings. I just put them together with the stock parts for now.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:Looks good   ...  can you post the jig and the old arms?Very nice pictures! weld it like you own it
Reply:Yeah heres jig pictures.I will take a picture of the stock arms tomorrow.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:If this arm is for an 05+ nissan frontier i am very interested in the measurements of that jig thanks
Reply:They are for a 720.Lincoln PowerMIG 215XTLincoln Precision TIG 225Hypertherm 300
Reply:Originally Posted by Twisted MinisThey are for a 720.