First bumper attempt

[dps50]

Finally pulled the trigger on a torch. I used my berzo torch a few times, but didn't care for it, hard to pinpoint the heat. I like it better as a BBQ grill lighter. Opted for the Swisstorch, it's such a slick piece.

The bumper is so so, top bar on the driver's side is taller then the other by about a 16th. You can kind of see the slope in the pic. Still getting used to doing compound bends and getting it to all be symmetrical.



The base is a piece of 1/4" solid stock, all I had at the time. Had a hard time getting my temps right btwn the 1/4" and 1/8" pieces. The rest was pretty easy, ugly but easy. Figure the next time around I will use tubing. It was my first time doing all this so it should get a bit easier with time.

The lights and winch or just resting on the bumper, I am going to get the mounts done tonight. Then sand blast it and paint. Hope to get the rear bumper bent up soon.

[DonsATV]

Looks pretty darn good for a first try.

[Prime]

Originally Posted by DonsATV

Looks pretty darn good for a first try.

I agree with him, looks dang good for your first one.

[62PYRO]

Looks pretty good.Especially for a first try.
How about a little info on the torch?

[Code454]

Originally Posted by 62PYRO

Looks pretty good.Especially for a first try.
How about a little info on the torch?

http://www.lacywest.com/12solder.htm#swisstorch

they looks like a slick system

[dps50]

Originally Posted by 62PYRO

Looks pretty good.Especially for a first try.
How about a little info on the torch?

Laceywest and ottofrei both sell it. It's not cheap by any means. But I am a gear whore and can't help myself. Gentec and Smith make a good torch as well, the gentec from Harbor freight is about 70 bucks and you get regulators that can fit the bernzo propane/mapp/oxy tanks. I almost bought the Gentec model but they didn't have the $69 one at Harbor, only the $100 model with no regulators. The valves on the torch were okay, seem a little cheap. But it would get the job done I am sure.

I opted for the Swisstorch instead. Figure if I am gonna pay $100 why not $100 more and not wonder what if... I am using the microhead attachment with propane/oxy(bernzo) tanks. I used mapp/oxy first but it was a bit hot, got too hot too fast for me (beginner) I am picking up a peanut torch set off craigslist tomorrow so I can have a larger oxy tank and real regulators. But the berzno stuff works just fine if one was so inclined to use just that.

It's a really nice torch. I was able to weld the 1/4" solid rod and 16ga plate tonight much easier with it than using the old bernzo mapp torch. Easier to pinpoint the heat to the rod then over to the plate. The flame is about the diameter of a #2 pencil lead.

[dps50]

Shot some pics real quick.

Yes, those are zipties, it's low pressure.



I wasn't that impressed by the plastic handle, it had some casting flash on it. For what I paid, it should have been taken care of.



The one thing I really like about this design over the Smith/Gentec is how the valves can be controlled by your thumb. You can't do this with the other torches. These valves are very smooth, they are knurled alum. which makes for a sure grip. I can crack them open with one hand and hit the striker with the other. Very slick. Worth the extra money, probably not, but it is a very comfortable setup. Only thing I don't like is the hoses. They are from the Bernzo oxy/mapp kit. I bought it for the tank regulators. The hoses are very stiff. I will probably try some surgical tubing, it's lightweight and very flexible, BUT not compatible with propane for the long term. Must switch out the hose about once a year and inspect the connection at the fittings for deterioration.



Action shot of the flame.

[Jay34ever]

Looks good to me, man! I didnt notice the difference until you said something. Practice makes perfect! I need to get a welder and practice welding! lol

[dps50]

Didn't get any pics after the sandblasting. it didn't look too bad. After the paint scrapes off, I will probably just bead blast it again and leave it.

I put the mounts for the lights up top because I couldn't access the screws down low, lack of foresight.



Just need a hook and it's ready to go.

[Big Mike]

Not bad at all for a first shot.

That little torch is pretty sweet, it looks perfect for this scale of work.

I've been using my Victor oxy/acetelyne rig with the smallest brazing tip I have, even turned down to minimum I have to be careful not to overheat. And it's pretty clunky to handle (but not as clunky as a MAPP bottle though)

I just started tube work myself, and I quickly figured out that accurate compound bends were next to impossible, especially if you're having trouble keeping tubing from sliding in your bender as you bend it like I was. Any mark you make on the tube to designate where to place it in the bender becomes instantly moot if the shoe grabs the tubing and slides it in the tool as it bends, instead of the shoe sliding across the tubing as it bends like it's supposed to.

I started doing the compound bends in multiple sections and then pinning them together and brazing them into one solid piece. This allows you to place bends in precise places by being able to adjust the length between the bends and to rotate tubes to nail the angles exactly. You can't do this as easily with solid rod though, I'm using rod for the pins. 1/8" fits inside 3/16" tubing and 3/16" fits inside 1/4" tubing. I guess you could do solid rod if you could figure out a way to jig it together straight while you braze it...

[poorboyrc77]

Holy crap thats nice. Gotta see a pic of it mounted up.

[dps50]

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Not bad at all for a first shot.

That little torch is pretty sweet, it looks perfect for this scale of work.

I've been using my Victor oxy/acetelyne rig with the smallest brazing tip I have, even turned down to minimum I have to be careful not to overheat. And it's pretty clunky to handle (but not as clunky as a MAPP bottle though)

I posted a build up of the torch over in the tool section. The 3/16 hoses I have still make things a little clunky to handle. I hope to try out the latex hoses soon. Long as nothing drops on them they should make the rig light as a feather.

Originally Posted by Big Mike

I started doing the compound bends in multiple sections and then pinning them together and brazing them into one solid piece. This allows you to place bends in precise places by being able to adjust the length between the bends and to rotate tubes to nail the angles exactly. You can't do this as easily with solid rod though, I'm using rod for the pins. 1/8" fits inside 3/16" tubing and 3/16" fits inside 1/4" tubing. I guess you could do solid rod if you could figure out a way to jig it together straight while you braze it...

I like that idea. I may try that once I get some tubing. I only had solid rod at the time of the bumper build. But I have a bunch of brake line coming in from northern, some stainless from grainger and a @ss load of 1/8 rod from the local steel yard up north of town. 2 bucks for a 12ft stick. Ace Hardware charges 3 bucks for a 4ft piece. I bought 60ft LOL. For 10 bucks why not. I hope to get to fabbing again soon, I had a lot of fun. The past week has been mostly getting my torch rig setup how I wanted. I was winging it using the bernzo tank setup. It worked but I like what I have now a lot better.