So after talking alot of crap about HF and how their chinese stuff sux,I went and bought the 90 MIG welder for around 110 bucks.
I also bought a plasma cutter for 200.
I had made a thread about how to fix the front part of my bed and with the help of some of you,I dove into something I've never done before.
WARNING:NOT FOR THE WEAK OF HEART OR THE PROFESSIONAL EYE.
Tips,Criticism,jokes, opinions welcome.
*First the PO was running steam rollers in the back so he cut an opening for them and it wasnt pretty so I wanted to fix that.
*Second,my running boards were bent in several places,so I did some mild straightening and welded (attempted to weld) a crack in my pass side.
*Third,the head or front part of my bed was rusted on the bottom and it was banged beyond recognition(kind of peris Hilton that one time).
My bedsides are not done and they have a lot of warping(might have to replace or do what Charlieled did and glue a straight piece on top,after some straightening of course).
If this looks like crap,I have a complete bed that all it needs is primer and paint,but I wanted to do this.
It looks ok I am happy with it.

 

Have you tried the plasma cutter yet? How is it?

 

Oh yeah did I mention that the sheet metal came from an old metal door???
We have several laying around so I took one and skinned it and It turned out it was the right thickness.plus it was already primered.cheap *******.

 

Did I mentioned that the door had the bends i needed?
All I had to do it was trim it.
I didnt use a wet rag on the bed sides so I got more warping that it already had.I did use it on the front part and oh boy!that thing is straight.
betcha that you like my saw horses.

 

I cut this part with the plasma.other methods are a bitsh.
I want to make the front part stronger so I will maybe,maybe buy a piece of thicker sheet metal (we have more doors or all kinds of sheet metal so i might no have to buy it,cheap *******) and I am going to glue it to it to avoid warping.

 

I will show the finished front side later.
My running boards are not perfect now but they are better that when I got them.They are so pitted that if I tell people I sprayed bed liner on them they will believe it.
I used a piece of rail road???? rail????? for the curved part of the RB they rail fits perfectly on the curve.

 

I also got 2 extra teeth that I will be adding sometime soon.
And before I do any patching on my fenders,I practiced on a spare fender that i have.I got if pretty close but a little body filler will do her,Hey at least its not Body filler on top of rust.
Thanks for watching,sorry I bored the chit out of you.

 

Hey raerjim I tried the plasma cutter.It was awesome.
At first I could not get a clean straight cut even with a straight edge as a guide,but It was the tip that was burned out.
Also I got the plasma wired to 110v and 30 amps so Its a little weak.
I was told that I can go to 50 amp and It will burn through 1/4 inch.
I did not get this plasma at HF.I bought it from a guy in town its barely used.
I could not find a plasma at HF for less than 700 bucks.

 

Nice job of working with what you got. The cooling rags does work wonders and of course just taking your time when you are welding. A spot weld here and a spot weld there and then maybe a small stich. Just work your way around slowly and it can be welded. But it is tough to do so keep that cooling rags handy,
jim

 

Thanks Jim.Have you had any luck with warped long panels???
I have this crazy idea,using a straight piece of plywood,I would screw my bedsides to it and it would tell me where the warp is,That way i can heat shrink or make a cut then weld it shut.
Do i make sense????

 

The problem with long warped panels is most people make them worst trying to fix them. You thought welding it was slow. You have to make slow small changes and let the metal cool before trying to get it straight.

I have never heard of that method but why not? The only concern for me is metal moves around alot and what happens when you take out the screws??? Will it spring to a new position? I don't know.
jim

 

that's exactly my concern.So I thought I would glue those 1/8" panels on the sides like I commented you.

 

Hey Flattie,
Looks like you been busy, Keep it up! I cant wait to get back to mine and start working on the body. I am not going to comment on your work because when it comes to patching panels and straightening out dents, well I kind of suck at it big time. But you guys give me the insperation to keep tring. I like all those Pics......

 

yeah i suck at it too but im not afraid to screw it up,you on the other side dont have a spare panel so it has to be tough doing all that body work

 

I got this stainless disk attached to a 7 inch grinder that is used for shrinking. heat a spot, cool it with water.. pretty neat.. I'm a dork with a torch..

like this (only bigger)

5" Dia. Shrinking Disc: 356 Porsche 40 ****** shrinker | eBay

sam