Yet another slow build thread. . .

[Wrench]

Jim,

the springs you now have are part number CC782. The slightly stiffer ones I still have on my XJ are CC784.

[OldGreen]

PERFECT!!

So. . .my spring money is gong to the Second Harvest Food Bank as part of my family donation this year. Instead of buying each other gifts, we are making a sizable donation. I'll bump my portion up by $50 for these springs!!!

I KNOW I can use them.

[OldGreen]

New meat. . .need 2 more still . ..but I have until April 1. . .

[OldGreen]

My new removed top. . .LOL. . .

These aren't final cuts. The roof will get blended into the B Pillar cage bar and the rear will get worked into the bed rails.

This also netted 1.75" of lift in the rear.. .albeit short lived because the gas tank has to go back in along with a bunch of metal. . .

[OldGreen]

So.. .onward.

Got some synthetic line for my little winch ordered up along with some extended shackles. . .between all the leaves and coils I have, I'm sure I'll be able to come up with a balance. . .

Then. . .THEN. . .

I put in the new high strength nylon crossmember/bumper combo:



and made a few small cuts in the "frame" to lighten it up. . .



Also managed to go to twin cities to get about 300lbs of steel. No pics of that but none of it is round so it isn't very interesting. . .

[tobyw]

Also managed to go to twin cities to get about 300lbs of steel. No pics of that but none of it is round so it isn't very interesting. . .

With this build in particular, it's the stuff you can't see that is the coolest...

[OldGreen]

Frame is starting to take shape.



But.. .I've already typed too much. . .

[OldGreen]

I did get the chance to finish up the main part of the rear frame. "Finish" is a funny word. Much will be added to this.

I'm guessing it weighs somewhere in the neighborhood of 70lbs. It dropped the suspension 1/4" when I sat it in place.

Almost everything is dual purpose. For example, the spacing of the center cross member is directly over the center of the axle at +/- ride height. I can hang shock mounts off the front or back. I is also at the right point to get the spare tire to mount where I want it and to hang the gas tank the way that needs to go and on and on. . .

Anyway. . .it took a lot of time to get everything squared up to make a good base to build from. I'm not embarrassed to say that it is 1/8" out of square and one of the main rails is kicked in just under 1/32". Not too shabbby for using a rusty old XJ as a jig. . .

[79chevy39.5's]

Xj version of a back half?

[OldGreen]

Xj version of a back half?

Not really. . .but yes. . .kinda. . .it is going to end up Looking something like this as far as the body:

[Roman]

Jimmy, is Marc married to that C02 bottle? If its JUST FOR WELDING when you run it empty swap it for a Stargon9. Runs smoother and cleaner than C02.

BTW, your welding is coming along nicely!

[OldGreen]

Jimmy, is Marc married to that C02 bottle? If its JUST FOR WELDING when you run it empty swap it for a Stargon9. Runs smoother and cleaner than C02.

BTW, your welding is coming along nicely!

Yes. . .when it is empty, it will get swapped out for stargon9 or some form of 75/25 gas. Tank is at about 500lbs. If it still has gas and I get to the point where I have to start tacking 16G then it is goin' in anyway. I don't want to run sheetmetal with CO2. Boyscout has preauthorized the swap to welding gas.

BTW. . .I'll be hunting a similar machine (Lincoln 140C) when Boyscout finds himself a shop to habitate. Keep your eyes peeled. . .

Thanks for the props. I learned a couple of hard lessons about prep and adjustment of the machine. Still got a long ways to go. I've been studying your welds and "welding tips and tricks" on youtube as well as practicing on various household objects. Wife said I took it too far when I welded the fridge to the sink.

Ya know. . we have some REALLY good welders in the club and otherwise hanging around here. . .maybe we should start a sticky on welding. I have nothing to add but EVERYTHING to gain.

Speaking of same, next time you are near a bender, I need a lightbar/push bar bent up for my front bumper. Let me know. . .I'll bring a beers, dims, and my rowing arms if you will set up the bends.

[Chrispy]

A&l gas in pasco off Oregon street is were I get mine. 36 bucks for cylinder exchange

[Roman]

Yes. . .when it is empty, it will get swapped out for stargon9 or some form of 75/25 gas. Tank is at about 500lbs.

FYI, unlike Nitrogen, Co2 turns to liquid at 500-600 psi. depending on temp. So a pressure gauge is not very useful to tell tank capacity...

Only real way to measure is weight.

Also, go to Oxarc and ask for their 3/25 discount card... Gives you tier 3 discount on gas and consumables/safety supplies

[OldGreen]

Yes. . .when it is empty, it will get swapped out for stargon9 or some form of 75/25 gas. Tank is at about 500lbs.

FYI, unlike Nitrogen, Co2 turns to liquid at 500-600 psi. depending on temp. So a pressure gauge is not very useful to tell tank capacity...

Only real way to measure is weight.

Also, go to Oxarc and ask for their 3/25 discount card... Gives you tier 3 discount on gas and consumables/safety supplies

Excellent. . .Do I need anything special? Just ask for the card when I go in? What is the discount? I'll be heading over there tomorrow. . .

Good point on the CO2. . .hadn't thought about the physical properties of it. Could have been a bad deal on a Sunday afternoon. . . At any rate, it is low enough to consider dumping it in favor of 75/25 so I might as well do it before I get carried away on New Years day. I'm not even half way through my steel pile yet so I have a lot of gas to use before this thing is done.

The "moment of truth" is upon us. I'm going to attach the frame section to the spring mounts beginning tonight. . .

[White trash]

140C is a nice welder for the cost. I got one for Christmas. 36 years and I finally got what I asked for this time.


I run CO2 exclusively. Deeper penetration, (that's NEVER a bad thing is it? ) cheap ($16 to fill that 20 lb tank with the 3/25 card) and I don't mind a little clean up. When it comes to doing sheet metal I have .023" wire. That smaller wire makes life way easier no matter what gas you use.

[Roman]

Hold the phone.....

You would need a new regulator, or at least an adapter to run the Co2 reg on a Nitrogen style bottle.

[OldGreen]

140C is a nice welder for the cost. I got one for Christmas. 36 years and I finally got what I asked for this time.


I run CO2 exclusively. Deeper penetration, (that's NEVER a bad thing is it? ) cheap ($16 to fill that 20 lb tank with the 3/25 card) and I don't mind a little clean up. When it comes to doing sheet metal I have .023" wire. That smaller wire makes life way easier no matter what gas you use.

I'm also using .023 wire. At least on the side of the machine, it maxes out at 3/16 regardless of what wire you use and the .023 is easier for me to control. . .ie, go SLOW. . .
Either way, it is almost time for a refill.

[OldGreen]

Hold the phone.....

You would need a new regulator, or at least an adapter to run the Co2 reg on a Nitrogen style bottle.

Who are you talking to? We adapted the CO2 regulator to the lincoln hose. Marc still has the Argon regulator in the box.

[Roman]

Deeper penetration, (that's NEVER a bad thing is it? )

100% CO2 is going to provide a more violent and hotter arc which would pose problems on thin material

The penetration difference is minimal and the arc instability of C02 makes a big difference whether an amateur or a seasoned welder... I think "violent" was the proper term!

[Roman]

Who are you talking to? We adapted the CO2 regulator to the lincoln hose. Marc still has the Argon regulator in the box.

Never mind, forgot that phone call... Procede!

[Roman]

Jim, you building with 1/8" or 3/16"?

[79chevy39.5's]

I believe my welder has .030 wire on it almost all the time, i do have a roll of flux core if i feel the need to go big. and theres a roll or .023 sitting somewhere but i never change it out.

[OldGreen]

Jim, you building with 1/8" or 3/16"?

1/8 for tube/angle, 3/16 flat bar and 16G sheet.

[mattawajeep]

My wire feed has .35 flux core in it that I've been using to weld sheet metal....

Course, that's gladiator sheet metal so I'm not sure if it qualifies.