Build or Buy? a horrible freight question

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So driving a 2009 wrangler 2 door, with about 2" of lift, I find myself in "need" of a hitch mount cargo basket. 50% of the time it will be used for hauling firewood/camp gear on light trails where I won't have to worry about it hooking on the ground while wheeling, the other 50% will be to bring my Miller 211 and tools and stuff with me when I go to my parents(2.5 hours away all freeway) as it is a royal pain to get it into my jeep, and it takes up a lot of room for laundry and such LOL.So do I trust the ChiCom harbor freight one for $50, with thin walled tubing and slave labor welds, or do I trust myself and build one with thicker steel, a more custom design(raised above hitch level for more clearance and pockets for removable sides) and my minimal skill but with enough time to try and make it properly?
Reply:Harbor freight would be ok for camping gear in the woods but theres no way id take it on a road trip with a welder an tools on it. If your confident in your skills, id build.  id build one out of 1/4 reciever tube and maybe 2in 3/16 wall angle. for the frame. Chain links welded on for tie downs.  Expended metal walls, etc.  Make sure you run the 2in tube all the way to the back.if you post pics on here every step of the way, guys will correct you if your doing something wrong/ welds arent good enogh etc.220V AC/DC Stick MachineLincoln 125HDChop Saw, Grinders, Etc.Air CompressorTons of Hand ToolsFab Table, Half Bar Grate, Half Solid w/ Sears Vice
Reply:Personally I would build one. You may end up with more money into a home built, but I would venture you will have five times the quality in your own basket. Best way to see what the 211 can do is to give it a whirl. Lots of luck!                 WSMiller Thunderboldt AC DC Miller 211 MIGSmith O/A torches Torches and GaugesRyobi chop saw
Reply:I have the harbor frieght one because at the time it was needed and I didn't have the money for the materials for building one. that being said I've been happy with it not problems what so ever. so take that for what it is. I'll venture to say that half the time stuff falls apart because it was improperly put together by the customer in the first place.I would like different/removable sides on it. but can get by without them. I always strap to the thicker support stringers and not to the deck itself.It's been used many different times and has gone from western WA to Yellowstone and back as well as many other 100 mile + trips around the state and beyond.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:By custom building it will cost more but the personal touch will be worth it. Design build will allow you to make the exact size you need for your contents. You can locate tie down points where needed and it will hold whatever you put in it. Why buy it for $50  when you can build it for a $100 ?? I'm doing that with a cart right now !
Reply:I generally build for the above mentioned reason of getting it the way I want it.Sometimes I purchase cause it's already made how I would have done it Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fnord5So do I trust the ChiCom harbor freight one for $50, with thin walled tubing and slave labor welds, or do I trust myself and build one with thicker steel, a more custom design(raised above hitch level for more clearance and pockets for removable sides) and my minimal skill but with enough time to try and make it properly?
Reply:GO AHEAD AND BUILD IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Then everybody can criticize your welds.  Tell you the design sucks.  And swear by all that's Holy, that it's gonna fall off, bounce on the pavement, turn somersaults in the air (4 times), cross the median barrier, skid on the pavement in front of an oncoming bus (probably a Mexican charter bus with an unlicensed driver and inadequate, if any insurance, and poorly adjusted brakes), roll under the bus, causing it to overturn, AND KILL 49 JAPANESE TOURISTS."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:NOW LOOK WHAT YA DONE!!!!!!  NOW WE GOT THE JAPANESE INVOLVED!!!!!!!"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammGO AHEAD AND BUILD IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Then everybody can criticize your welds.  Tell you the design sucks.  And swear by all that's Holy, that it's gonna fall off, bounce on the pavement, turn somersaults in the air (4 times), cross the median barrier, skid on the pavement in front of an oncoming bus (probably a Mexican charter bus with an unlicensed driver and inadequate, if any insurance, and poorly adjusted brakes), roll under the bus, causing it to overturn, AND KILL 49 JAPANESE TOURISTS.
Reply:Buy buying instead of building you're passing up a chance for a nice simple USEFUL project...Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveNow that's funny We also have to tell him he used the wrong machine, wrong wire, wrong settings and wrong shielding gas and had his tongue on the wrong side of his mouth Dave J.
Reply:Build it.  I had one and worked just fine, but it was flimsy and I spent enough time worrying about it that I should have spent the time building one.  I had it on the back of a JK and as you know the suspension is a little bouncy, so I craigslisted it and moved on.PS, you should probably buy a TIG to do this project to save the tourists.....
Reply:Oh, one more point.  If youre building it, you can put mounts for jerry cans, Hilifts, tow straps, d rings and all the other crap we put on our jeeps to improve their gas mileage.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fnord5MM 211, .030 wire, C25 gas.Settings are probably where I'll EFF it up.
Reply:Originally Posted by mattlagoOh, one more point.  If youre building it, you can put mounts for jerry cans, Hilifts, tow straps, d rings and all the other crap we put on our jeeps to improve their gas mileage.
Reply:BUILD IT! Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAs long as you weld with your tongue in the left side of your mouth you'll do fine Dave J.
Reply:I made this oneIt is all 1 1/2" 1/4" angle iron and the plug is solid all the way across, i need to make some tie down points, but I have been using this for well over 2 years. I know the design sucks and I only ground the welds down smooth so you couldn't tell me how bad they were.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:Build it. You'll get better quality and some good experience.If it were me, I would carry the welding gear in the jeep, and get a good container for all the other junk and haul that out back. I'd hate to get rear ended and lose the machine.IW Local 580 NY, NY
Reply:As everyone said above, those are all pluses to building it yourself. Most important is reduced demand for chicom trash and you wind up with a model built in the good 'ol USA. Built in the USA means that you support American businesses, buying at your LWS puts food on your neighbour's table. They now have money to spend at your business or hire your services...the circle goes round and round, getting bigger over time. It's all about the economy! Weld your country back to health...Now, if you add a lift kit to your new trailer, it too can participate in those gratuitous flex photos and building the rails tall enough keeps your laundry on board.  When a welder tells you to "stick it", what do they really mean?"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." - George Orwell
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveAs long as you weld with your tongue in the left side of your mouth you'll do fine Dave J.
Reply:Every single one you see on the highway is bent, every one! So build it I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauIsn't this all dependant on which hand your welding with? If you change hands welding, you have to move your tongue to the other side, right? Left hand,tongue on the right, right hand, tongue on the left. Or is it the other way around??
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Goes to show how much I know.
Reply:Play it safe and just stick it straight out and see how many sparklies you can catch. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!Ok, I'll spill the secret - I weld right handed, tilt my head left and tongue the same direction....This also works when starting a difficult bolt or screw Now you know..."and knowing is half the battle" Dave J.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Build it.   It will cost a little more but any of the cheepie ones you buy you will just end up rebuilding anyways.
Reply:Besides if you build it you can also add a few hinges a collapsible cooler a fold away tv and a ice fishing hole ! Let's not forget the beer holder too !PeteHobart LX 235 Stickmate ( My new toy ) Jobsmart ( Buffalo Tools ) 125 Flux core welder. Yup she's cheap but lays a great bead.I heat with wood, weld, work on cars and brew beer. Life is good !Pete
Reply:How about you get the HF one and then "reinforce" it with a few pieces of your own?
Reply:BUILD IT!  After all, this IS the "Welding PROJECTS &  Pictures" forum! AND, most of us here already buy enough chicom stuff to keep HF in biz 'til approximately the end of time!AND, you have an MM211 sitting there in the shop! NOT like Ironheart_ram's Kawasaki stick, or an HF special, or a SP-100 like some of us were stuck with!  AND finally ... at least your shop has walls!    Some of us only have one wall!
Reply:I have a shop?  News to me!I use a friends garage. Lol.Build to commence this weekend. I think.
Reply:My recent ( and only) experience  with Horrible Fright crap informs me that they have absolutely ZERO quality control at any of the manufacturing facilities doing work for them.I don't think I'd want to trust something dangling off the back end of a motor vehicle to those people. I mean, god forbid it should fail on the highway.Hey~!! It's a hobby. It's not supposed to make sense~!!
Reply:Originally Posted by RaulMy recent ( and only) experience  with Horrible Fright crap informs me that they have absolutely ZERO quality control at any of the manufacturing facilities doing work for them.I don't think I'd want to trust something dangling off the back end of a motor vehicle to those people. I mean, god forbid it should fail on the highway.