Anything welding

I mean, I've been running cheap imports for awhile now

What was supposed to be a 30% duty cycle on their small MIG180 was more like running tons of long beads for over an hour on 3/16"



I only noticed it wasn't 'burning as well' and hour and a half in so I took a break and let the machine cool down; it never actually stopped welding and didn't prompt an OC or anything but had I been welding thinner material or taking longer breaks in between, I don't think I would've noticed anything at all

Since then I've been running a MIG285 and it has tons of headroom

I'd opt for their 325X if you want some headroom out of an AC/DC TIG welder.

 

Roof rack 2.0 these little 120v welders from tractor supply can get down. A little bit cold in the first arc which sucks for small welds but once it's running it welds smooth.

 

Think I found another fun welding project to try out.

https://brennans-garage.com/products/tauler-jack-kit?variant=43668050444592

I wanna run this setup in the Bronco and leave the high lift in the Tacoma.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc4MXRloa0g

 

We carry a trailer jack in the race car. It's small to fit but it's a bit heavy. Only issue is you have to crank it all the way up/down when needed. But we haven't used it yet.

 

ye wise welders,

How would one weld this to be tall and enclosed so moving boxes don’t fall out?

flux weld a yard mesh fence to it?


like this
Maybe weld vertical square tubing
attach fence mesh
Step 2 cut my hand bleed everywhere
Step 3 ruin the resale

that or hope everything can fit low
Not stacked
Enclosed boxes for rain
Cargo net on top

burn sage over it cast anti crackhead thief blessing

 

Weld some angle for verticals post, and also for a horizontal topper. Some blocking and some lathe metal sheets. Finish with some paint.

 

alright
So if my noob brain understands
-angle steel sides (I get that for corners, not sure I get why for sides. Maybe stiffness)
-sheetmetal walls
-blocking I’m guessing means ribs between the verticals to hold them

I’ll have to look up materials cost see whats cheaper, easier, lighter
What thickness is needed and what type of welder

or if entirely made of wood is better

but I’m guessing wood has numerous downsides:
-not water resistant
-can bow
-probably bigger weaker maybe even heavier
-might not be as simple as welding

I wonder if this would be cheap to pay a pro given how simple it sounds
Or better do myself
Justify getting a welder
And take the time to let things cool and weld different sections to avoid warp

because if it comes down to get a trailer for $1k and welder
Vs piss away $2k to uhaul
The former is a way better deal get something out of it

and for something like this I doubt it needs to be some big strong expensive 220v mig welder
Surely even a cheap little flux core and metal is still gonna be stronger than wood and screws

sheet metal would be nice but honestly considered mesh just because it doesn’t need to pretty
Just keep boxes from going flying on the road

hopefully no materials are so heavy that they eat into the total carrying capacity of the trailer

 

^ if I was to pick metal and welder
It’d probably be this welder

+ pray the metal is thin enough for it to work. Plugged into regular wall

already have mask and gloves

then I guess resell after or keep for light duty like broken bolt extracting

 

Lathe metal sheet. Not sheet metal. It’s the “mesh”

$52 Steel Expanded Metal Sheet Flattened (3/4 #9) .120" x 24" x 48"

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FY3Y54K

If you’re having hard time visualizing what I was saying, you’re just building the same thing just your first photos side, but built on top of that.

the blocking gives it more strength and something to weld the lathe metal onto. It can also help keep you’re frame square

 

yes

 

@TacoTuesday1

Decide if you want it to be permanent, or removable

Draw up a plan

Buy material

Bring it over, and we'll weld it up

Pizza and beer required, along with a red bull or two

 

where are you located?

Yeah...I was just thinking that...
It'll take a lot of mental gymnastics to make things "bolt on"
I guess, flanges and holes
which the HFT frame may not even have holes as it sits, for that, which drilling would tamper with

for example, "bolt on" vertical supports for the folding Harbor Freight
to keep it foldable

versus welding on supports, that folding Harbor Freight trailer starts to become not really foldable anymore
that could be convenient to keep it
fold up, store it against the garage wall

they have their purposes
for example, moving toolbox in an out of work? 300lb+
way easier on a trailer. Sometimes sellers even require it to release.
Moved my double bank in the truck bed and well, that's how tools fall everywhere

welding frame and fence to one may not tank the value
it's still got use. Things can be cut.

Gonna research try to decide what's better
the harbor freight $500 or lowes $1000
Lowes at least has 1yr warranty
might dig into the manuals see if there are any discernible differences
such as if one has bigger and beefier axles and wheels

at the end of the day if it comes out to
buy $1k, use, sell $700
that still gets the move done at a good cost
and gets the next guy who buys it and needs it a good deal

Material i'm guessing is gonna be either
home depot
or local metal supply store
maybe a Legit hardware store (ex. marshalls hardware in SD)

 

Can't say anything about the trailers you mentioned; the HF one I almost picked up cause it would've been free (was offered to me) but I was too busy to pick it up

You can opt at spending less and buying a used trailer that's already plated too

If it needs some work, even more of a reason to negotiate as metal can always be cut and replaced; I wouldn't say having 'sides' welded up would cause the trailer to lose any resale value, it can be considered a utility trailer

Fixed several trailers myself as small jobs, just helps having the material on hand already

Located in the Central Valley (Fresno County)

 

I just did this for a friends trailer. His has stake pockets though so I put 1.5x3 box tube into the stake pockets. Then welded everything onto those 4 points. He is putting plywood on the sides.

 

It’s been a minute since I welded anything but got some parts from send cut send and had to do a little… rework. Oops. Making a cargo thingy for my brother-in-law’s 2d Bronco. Not sure all the gear is gonna fit!

 

I feel like some days you’re a good welder or a good grinder. Today I felt like Michelangelo with a chainsaw carving David out of a giant Redwood tree.

 

considering the cost of steel, and the implied use that it might only be once, i would do this instead
https://www.uhaul.com/Trailers/6x12-Cargo-Trailer-Rental/RV/

if you've got the steel on hand, maybe a little different story. i would just do 3-4 pairs of uprights with a brace across the top, basically your own 'ladder rack', and then stretch a tarp over it.

 

Air dryer arrived 2 days early





Check out those atrocious welds



Just need to buy a power cable for it and figure out where I'll be placing it

Friend was by for some last minute measurements

 

Love the design!

 

Run hotter