I'm Building a new Frame

I need to build a frame for my '29 chev. Straight frame rails with no z in front and a 6'' 90 degree drop in the back before the axle. I get the idea but i don't want to mess with a jig so... do I absolutely need a jig if I make sure all my shit is on the straight and level? Also im thinking about going with 2"x4" 1/4'' any thoughts??

 

I'm building mine already with no jig and it's coming out RAD!! Your frame doesn't need to be 1/4", 1/8" (.120) is plenty strong especially if it's rectangular tube or you box original rails. Good Luck to ya.

 

Damn: You're not building a frame for a monster truck. I wouldn't go thicker than .188 wall on that.

 

I don't know what the fuck I'm doing I'm making most of this shit up as I go. For instance (and I knew better than this) put my brand new harmonic balancer on with a 3lb sledge.

 

Put down the BFH!! Maybe look into buying a frame from someone, they can be got for pretty cheap and way more safe. JMO

 

Well when you live in bum fuck Alaska frames are pretty hard to come buy and not cheap. I'm not too worried about it. I'm a decent welder.

 

The sledge/harmonic balancer could come back to haunt you if it was a cast crank.

Frank

 

not to mention what that BFH does to the thrust shoulder on the rear main bearing.

 

No, you don't need a jig, it will just be a much larger pain in the ass to make sure it stays straight while you weld (tack everything then skip weld it) Don't forget the doubler plates (I hate calling them fish plates when they don't have the fish mouth cut in them) and gussets. 1/4 is thicker than you need, but if you already got it (scrounge it did you?) why not? The extra weight would only be a real concern if it's a competition car of some sort.

I have seen where people will clamp the two rails together when they start welding them. Of course that only works if the rails are truly straight.

 

O.K.--Calm down and ask as many questions as you want. We're all here to help each other in this hobby.

 

1/4 inch wall rectangle tube would make a good jig,now all you need is something to build a frame with. For a simple jig, a fixture shaped like the letter H will do.If its square, level, and plum it will make the frame build that much easier.Use the horizontal leg of the H as a center reference and the verticle legs for laying the rails across.One 10 ft length would work for the jig and make the rest of the job a lot easier.

 

Made my frame rails from 3/16" 2x3 didn't use a jig, just clamped the tubing together and used 1x1 on the outsides to make sure everything came out exactly the same on both rails... I'll try and post a pic later (using wifes laptop right now).

 

2x4 .120 wall is plenty thick enough....188 if your worried about it...lol..Just keep in mind "level and square"...You do not need an jig, just every time you do a weld just do a quick check after it has cooled to see if it moved on you..or tie it down somehow to make sure it doesn't move.It just takes a little longer with no jig just because you have to keep a closer eye on things, but not that much longer.LOL .I have built an "A" frame with no jig, just built it on jack stands and it came out great... Take your time and you will be fine...