I have learn so much coming to this site I felt it is time to add my 2 cents worth.I have seen alot of 2 x 3 frames built and a number of different ways guys welded their angles. Well I don`t know if it has been posted before,Well! I never seen it! Anyway here is my take on how to join your angles and make them strong and at the same time if you wish you can grind off your welds for a clean finsh.This is a Frame we are building for another hamber, Leon(movingviolation) and his plan is to have the under side looking as good as the top side. So the plan was to find a way to grind all the welds on the frame smooth and not take the streight out of the frame,this is what I came up with First:After cutting all my frame peices which were 2 x3 by 1/8 wall, I had Leon cut out 16 diamoid shaped peices of 1/8 plate.I find that cutting them this way you can use them on allmost all angles. We drilled three 1/2 inch holes in each side of the 2 x 3 and grind the ends on a 45 drgree angle. Then I clamped 2 diamoid plates inside the end of one rail and plug welded the holes. Next you fit the next rail peice over the Diamoid plate and set your angle.You can see how the rails are V out for welding.There was a small gap between each join so you could weld the diamoid plate as well Weld your rails togeather and plug weld your holes. Then last you just grind off your welds for a smooth finsh. Plating your rail like this will not only let you have a smooth look it will also add strenght to the angles. Here is the rails all welded up and welds grinded.Still need to add the front of the frame and a few cross members. Leon Left the shop before I had it all welded up.So I had to set up a few of Leons parts to see what it might looked like.
Sure, i miss my mock up and then HAMBANDY's visit to Island Rod's shop. Ahhhhhhhhhh! So where is the pic of Andy at the shop? Leon
Excellent idea, just one thought, you might want to slightly spread the diamonds before inserting them into the second tube so it tightly presses against the inside of the tube wall. Another thought would be to temporarily use a self tapping screw to draw it tight against the inside wall. Ron
Can't tell ya, but I have a bed from a '31 F`10 if you want measurements for it...don't have a digicam these days, but looks to be something easily reproduced....also still have the tailgate on it as well...unsure if my floor is original though...pm me if you need some help. PS...not a plug to sell it, as I'm ging to use it.
Not trying to be too critical, but the strength of a plug weld comes from a contious bead on the outside, swirling in...the welds in the pic kinda look like "start and stop" welds...hope they give you the strength you're looking for.
The box is last refuge. Took forever to get (as everyone says) but considering what is available im my parts............well worth the wait.
I wonder about that when I started doing this but they fit perfect.Didn`t need to be pulled.I was going to put screws in them if they needed but never had to.Some had to be ground to fit and I had to hammer all the peices for a fit.
You have a eye for a weld.What you are seeing is me bring the spot weld up above the top so it can be grind flush.I would burn a full weld in the plug, contious bead on the outside like you said, but it would still be low in a few spots and I would reweld it to bring it up.
If you wanted to get real technical, you should leave a 1/8 between the rails so you weld burns into the sleeve, and the rails at the same time, rather than floating on top. I like the sleeve.
From Fitzees first post on how he installed the plates...you must have missed it because its posted between the pictures. "Next you fit the next rail peice over the Diamoid plate and set your angle.You can see how the rails are V out for welding.There was a small gap between each join so you could weld the diamoid plate as well." Nice job Fitzee.
Hay Bill. Should drop by the shop when you get a chance. Saturdays is play day.Myself and Leon and a few of the boys hang around the shop and pick at our own stuff on Saturdays,Well the boys do there own stuff!! I am always roped into doing someones eles car.
Bed is Last Refuge, We have a good product at a great price. This increases demand, we are currently about 4 to 6 weeks out. I am continually fighting to increase production but it is hard. We live in a town of 800 people so good help is hard to find. I am currently teaching my dog how to weld. Norb Lastrefugehotrod.com
Cool, thanks for sharing! I was going to gusset the outside with diamonds and flat straps inside. I think I may do mine like you have done. Very nice
Thats some dog if it works Norb, the time you posted is indeed the time i waited, but...........very happy with the box and it even got shipped to canada ............for a cheap price. The girl i dealt with was awsome! Leon
The reason the diamonds were inside was because i want to have this p/u clean and tidy. Not like my current ride........ All the joins were ground to get good penatration and with the plugs grinding the welds wont sacrifice strenght. As we get the ch***is rolling im sure fitzee will post the updates. Leon
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