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Old 07-07-2011, 06:29 PM   #1
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If you only had 5 instructions for your frame welder what would they be?

I have found a 73 year old man in the neighborhood who has been welding for 40 yrs. He works mainly with small time race cars and the like, and can weld trailers but has never dealt with an AS. He said he can do it no prob but the work will be done on a gravel driveway which looks level. any input appreciated.
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Old 07-07-2011, 07:17 PM   #2
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Where is then the problem? I would be glad, according to a man in the neighborhood to have!
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Old 07-07-2011, 07:31 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cruiser54
Where is then the problem? I would be glad, according to a man in the neighborhood to have!
no problem, i just want to make sure that he knows how precise certain aspects need to be! i have read about being perfectly level and you cant be off 1/4" here or there. i just want to make sure I use the right welder bc there are 100 of the around Louisville looking for work! There is even a welding school that will do it for pennies for a class project!
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Old 07-07-2011, 07:46 PM   #4
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Benny a welder of 40 yrs will know to tack everything in place first. Check for square and level before final welding. He will also know that stitch welding long seams is actually better than one long continous weld. I myself don't know much about welding but listened to the guy who welded mine. He actually built the new frame upside down on top of the old one. Once it was altogether we flipped it over and placed spacers between the two and added the axle plates and the kick plates at the rear, then the tank supports were done using the tank pans to check for clearances.
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Old 07-07-2011, 10:38 PM   #5
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Send him to ND when you are done with him. We could use a few hundred or so welders. Starting first with our project of course.
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Old 07-08-2011, 08:47 AM   #6
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If he can weld a race car he can weld the chassis. There is nothing magically special about an Airstream chassis.

1) No drinking during work.
2) Must have a helper.
3) Trailer must be level and square.
4) Old chassis is pattern. No improvising without prior agreement.
5) There is no rush. Take your time, but make steady progress.
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Old 07-08-2011, 02:53 PM   #7
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I forgot to mention that he said he would fab the crossmembers and outriggers. I am a little leary on that! I know I would at least have to buy the outriggers for the steps. any opinions on making your own crossmembers and outriggers?
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Old 07-08-2011, 03:02 PM   #8
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It may be worthwhile to talk to some of his customers, especially any who had him do trailer work.
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Old 07-08-2011, 03:04 PM   #9
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I say if he has 40 yrs. and a pattern,he can make about anything.On my 63 I fabed the cross members,so the tanks would fit where I wanted,and I am a plumber,though I did learn to weld at an early age. Dave
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Old 07-08-2011, 03:09 PM   #10
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Benny the price of the outriggers is so cheap I doubt that he can fabricate them any cheaper. As far as the crossmembers are concerned the ones I bought were all too short and I had to box in the frame to use them so for the rest we just made them ourselves.
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Old 07-08-2011, 08:58 PM   #11
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On mine I replaced the thin 5 inch C channel with 5 inch C channel 6.7 lbs per foot type.

I looked at the cross members and outriggers and they looked to me like they were of the same type so I just used the same C channel for the cross members and to make the outriggers. Less hassle for me.

The guys that did it were able to cut the slits for the steps into the outriggers.
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Old 07-09-2011, 07:58 AM   #12
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I ordered outriggers and fabricated crossmembers out of the same box tubing as the main rails. Set up a time frame for the job to be completed. The guy that welded my frame said 1 week and took 4 months, which put this entire camping season out of reach.
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Old 07-16-2011, 10:13 AM   #13
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Ha I did most of the welding myself. make sure that the guy is meticulous measure twice cut once make sure everything is square. Buy the outriggers waaaay cheaper than fabrication.
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Old 07-16-2011, 10:35 AM   #14
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This guy is probably better than most pros today.
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Old 07-22-2011, 01:28 PM   #15
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Has anyone used 1.5" X 1.5" X 1/8" angle to make crossmembers? I was planning to use one across the top of the c channel and one across the bottom, with a couple vertical pieces to reduce the deflection of the top piece when walked on. I see outriggers @ $20 ea. I am thinking 14 3/4" 1.5" angle, and a piece of cut and bent 14 ga. steel underneath to complete the profile.
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Old 07-22-2011, 01:47 PM   #16
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For a time example, it took me 6.5 hrs to fit and tack weld everything , 5 hrs to go back and seam weld everything , 1.5 hrs to install / weld axles . 13 hrs fab for a complete towable frame.
If it takes months they are screwing you over.
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Old 07-25-2011, 07:23 PM   #17
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Your telling me, not even a kiss. To top it off the rear crossmember was made too wide , top to bottom, and welded in 1 inch out of place. Then he wouldn't fix it, I had to take it to another welder to do that. Needless to say I was not a happy camper.
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Old 07-26-2011, 05:38 AM   #18
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I think the best thing you can do is keep his beer cold and stay out of the way. This is not rocket science.
The biggest mistake I think most people make is to make a frame that is too stiff. Most think it needs to be beefed up and that is not what should happen. The frame needs to flex as it goes down the road. Just copy what is there and it will turn out perfect.
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