DIY flatbed?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Klamath Falls, Orygun
DIY flatbed?
'not sure of the appropriate forum for this question, but has anyone built their own flatbed for a pickup? It doesn't look like it'd be to hard to weld up with appropriate plans.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Klamath Falls, Orygun
I can get 'used' mill stock for $0.30/lb ... it's not used so much as it's been outside for a few seasons and shines up fine with a wire brush.
As for welding, I've just finished my first class at the local cc (yes I can hear all the veterans' guffaws now) and seemed to pick most of it up pretty quickly. MIG was the easiest of oxy, stick, mig and tig (what the class covered), and I can do mild steel, stainless, and aluminum if it's not too thin. 'spent about 15 hrs a week welding for the last 12 weeks. TIG on Al is still hard for me. So now I'm like a kid with a new erector set ... made a welding table, shelves, OB motor stand of steel thus far ... next is a pallet lift that'll fit on my tractor's 3 pt hitch (gotta move the gun safe). I'm thinking of making the flatbed this spring ... of aluminum ... that'll give me plnty of time to practice with the spool gun Santa has picked out for me, hehe ....
Lincoln power MIG 255C with an Optrel autodarkening helmet, oh yeah ...
Anyone know where plans for various flatbeds may be found?
Back out to the shop!
As for welding, I've just finished my first class at the local cc (yes I can hear all the veterans' guffaws now) and seemed to pick most of it up pretty quickly. MIG was the easiest of oxy, stick, mig and tig (what the class covered), and I can do mild steel, stainless, and aluminum if it's not too thin. 'spent about 15 hrs a week welding for the last 12 weeks. TIG on Al is still hard for me. So now I'm like a kid with a new erector set ... made a welding table, shelves, OB motor stand of steel thus far ... next is a pallet lift that'll fit on my tractor's 3 pt hitch (gotta move the gun safe). I'm thinking of making the flatbed this spring ... of aluminum ... that'll give me plnty of time to practice with the spool gun Santa has picked out for me, hehe ....
Lincoln power MIG 255C with an Optrel autodarkening helmet, oh yeah ...
Anyone know where plans for various flatbeds may be found?
Back out to the shop!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 22
From: Murphysboro, IL
The scarpyard I haul off the old useless junk to sells steel and aluminum for double the price per pound.
Which isn't bad at all, I got about 40' of 2 1/2" aluminum angle that was 1/4" thick for about $35, they owed me $26 for AL cans so it only really cost me $9. At Lowes that would probably be alot higher than $35.
Which isn't bad at all, I got about 40' of 2 1/2" aluminum angle that was 1/4" thick for about $35, they owed me $26 for AL cans so it only really cost me $9. At Lowes that would probably be alot higher than $35.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
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From: Brentwood,CA
the local shops here want 6.00 a foot for new stock. i never knew you could get used for sooooooooooooooooooooo cheap.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,542
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From: Murphysboro, IL
Neither did I! I saw it all standing off to the side and jokingly I said "is that the stuff that doesnt make it to the scrap pile and goes home after work?" He said, "NO, we set it off to the side because somebody will buy it."
ME "how much is it to buy it"
Him "double the price per pound."
MY JAW DROPPED!
I almost bought a whole bunch of 1/8" and 1/4" diamond plate but he said a guy that works there has spoken for it already. you can take one guess where I'm going next time I need aluminum or steel for a project. He said I was welcome to look in the yard to see if there was anything I needed as long as I wasn't crawling on top of piles or something.
BIRDY found a new gold mine!!!!!
ME "how much is it to buy it"
Him "double the price per pound."
MY JAW DROPPED!
I almost bought a whole bunch of 1/8" and 1/4" diamond plate but he said a guy that works there has spoken for it already. you can take one guess where I'm going next time I need aluminum or steel for a project. He said I was welcome to look in the yard to see if there was anything I needed as long as I wasn't crawling on top of piles or something.
BIRDY found a new gold mine!!!!!
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Man I need to replace the ribs in my short box and I paid $75.00 Cdn for 3 pieces of 2 1/2" square tubing 3/16 thick, now if I can just get the time to have the old ribs cut off and weld these new ones in so I can line up the body lines again.
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