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Trick to fill finished tubing gap? NO WELD

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by JPMACHADO, Mar 24, 2012.

  1. JPMACHADO
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 983

    JPMACHADO
    Member
    from Not Listed

    I have some tubing on a roll cage that is already painted.

    There is a small <1/2" gap on about 1/3 of the circumference where a cross bar runs across and intersects a long straight run. Tubing is 1.75" OD

    Due to the purpose of the bar, I am not worried about the gap from a structrual standpoint. The bar was added to hold some things.

    Does anyone have a good way to fill the gap besides grinding and welding? It would be a very tight out of position weld anyway.

    I know I can come up with something, but usually someone on here has a really simple and practical way to do things. A way that would become obvious after I tried to do it myself.


    I want something that could stand up to the area being hose and bucket washed. It won't be under pressure.

    Thanks for any help,
    John
     
  2. belle
    Joined: Jul 30, 2006
    Posts: 150

    belle
    Member

  3. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,062

    chaddilac
    Member

    Tape the hole off and put some seam sealer in it... then pull the tape off for a clean line.
     
  4. F-6Garagerat
    Joined: Apr 12, 2008
    Posts: 2,652

    F-6Garagerat
    Member

    x 2
     
  5. JPMACHADO
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 983

    JPMACHADO
    Member
    from Not Listed


    How would you back up the seam sealer / jb weld so it didn't just push farther into the tube?
     
  6. chaddilac
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,062

    chaddilac
    Member

    Expanding foam... :)
     
  7. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,580

    oj
    Member

    No! Aboslutely Not! No Filler! If you have a piece of steel tubing and it is part of a rollbar then it has to be welded! plain and simple. And a less than a 1/2" gap is unacceptable, replace that piece of tubing. You are using a welder, it is not a calking gun. Some gaps are unavoidable - the nature of joining some pieces together will require a gap - but all gaps are to be welded to give integrity to the structure.
     
  8. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,619

    badshifter
    Member

    That's like glueing 2 lug nuts on the wheel to make it look like all5 are holding it on. You just DO NOT do it. Make it right.
     
  9. JPMACHADO
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 983

    JPMACHADO
    Member
    from Not Listed

    It's a nonstructural joint. It's an extra bar used to hold gauges, steering column, etc... I used it instead of tabbing out for column drop. There's a hoop about 17" in front of it that ties all side bars together.
     
  10. 3banjos
    Joined: May 24, 2008
    Posts: 480

    3banjos
    Member
    from NZ

    May have answered your own question there. If it's holding your steering column I'd be wanting it welded.
     
  11. Phil1934
    Joined: Jun 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,716

    Phil1934
    Member

    You don't want to weld as it is painted but if you fill it you would still have to paint over the filler so just weld it. Technically no grinding, but I would fill it with a patch, sand, then run a bead.
     
  12. cl350rr
    Joined: Jun 29, 2011
    Posts: 220

    cl350rr
    Member

    I once saw a picnic table held together with mashed potatoes (scout camp) looked good but probably not a recommended way to repair
     
  13. Silly,
    Weld it.
    I won't even ask how a gap got painted, or why you're worried about it now.
     
  14. Xdrag48
    Joined: Mar 1, 2009
    Posts: 477

    Xdrag48
    Member

    You could use the kit they use for the door bars to swing out,use a pin in both sides ,it is strong and you could remove it if needed...

    Steve


    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2012
  15. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,835

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    You would have to check the rule book for the organization that runs the events the car should run in but I'd have to think that any piece that is welded into a roll cage is then considered a structural part of said roll cage. I don't think a pookie fix will fly in this case.
     
  16. richie rebel
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
    Posts: 1,184

    richie rebel
    Member

    you have to weld it,good night irene.........
     
  17. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Failed tech?
     
  18. rosco gordy
    Joined: Jun 8, 2010
    Posts: 648

    rosco gordy
    Member

    This shit kills me, hows this work, can I do that GROW SOME BALLS
     
  19. Of course that's exactly what I was thinking, that why I wasn't going to ask.


    Hey guys, failed tech because my roll cage isn't welded properly. Problem is I've already painted it and assembled the car. Anybody know of some good bubble gum I can fool the tech inspectors with because welding in there now is going to be a real ass ache.

    See I don't want to know that ^^^^^, because then this would be another thread that makes me want to set myself on fire.
     
  20. falcongeorge
    Joined: Aug 26, 2010
    Posts: 18,339

    falcongeorge
    Member
    from BC

    Nicely sums up what I am reading between the lines...
     
  21. Cymro
    Joined: Jul 1, 2008
    Posts: 759

    Cymro
    Member

    WTF filler on a roll bar joint not weld!!!! This guy sounds like he's tired of living!!!! Do it Properly, you'd have to paint the filler in any case, and if it were me I would really appreciate a steering column attatched to something solid.
     
  22. Fenders
    Joined: Sep 8, 2007
    Posts: 3,921

    Fenders
    Member

    Holding the steering column is non-structural ? :confused:
     
  23. carcrazyjohn
    Joined: Apr 16, 2008
    Posts: 4,841

    carcrazyjohn
    Member
    from trevose pa

    Have some one else weld it .You can always blend a rollbar.........
     
  24. JPMACHADO
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 983

    JPMACHADO
    Member
    from Not Listed

    I'll probably end up welding it

    It's not a racer, won't be inspected, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
     
  25. Willy301
    Joined: Nov 16, 2007
    Posts: 1,426

    Willy301
    Member

    Even if you do not plan on racing it, the next owner might, and if it actually makes it through tech with your bubble gum patch, and it fails in a wreck, it could hurt or kill the person who thought he had a roll cage...Even if you do not plan on selling it, do a search, this forum is full of heartache of guys having to sell their ride for one reason or another...or full of happy when someone actually offered a price that they were willing to part with it for....It happens.
     
  26. hellcat666
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 267

    hellcat666
    Member

     
  27. 29bowtie
    Joined: Nov 14, 2006
    Posts: 5,234

    29bowtie
    Member

    Ah, another Darwin award candidate! Do it properly, then you never have to regret the decision!:eek:
     
  28. 32-3 WINDOW
    Joined: Nov 23, 2005
    Posts: 1,696

    32-3 WINDOW
    Member
    from utah

    by a pack of bazoka joe bubble gum , chew the shit out of it , stick it in your crack and read the comic that comes with it , is this is even funnier than the sunday comics , hells bells man
     
  29. fifTsix
    Joined: Jul 26, 2008
    Posts: 486

    fifTsix
    Member
    from TEXAS

    Ding ding ding! we have a winner!!
     
  30. silversink
    Joined: May 3, 2008
    Posts: 916

    silversink
    Member

    STP stickers have hid a lot of crap
     

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