I didn't have any heavy aluminum hinges laying around, so after an hour on the band saw and then the mill, these appeared:

Looks like we might both be fired after that one!

For more detailed fab work like building bumpers or maybe light modifications like you are doing here the plasma torch and mig welder are great.  But for heavy duty repairs on machinery a oxy acetylene torch and stick welder will be your best friend.  You can heat things up to bend/ pound them back into shape and cut/ weld without needing to get parts real clean.

We've been over this before with senoir Don Jaun....he won't listen (openly), but next week he'll come home with a torch and pretend the DOTS had nothing to do with it. We'll give him praise, showering him with compliments, completely ignorant of the fact that we might have had a small part in his decision.

...oh, I also vote P40 style!

Ain't like no scout I've ever seen! Looks awesome!

Oh boyyy, The Implement of death!!!!

Up next was building a tailgate. Again, wasn't planning on it, but...

Took the PSA (PlasmaSuperAxe) to some more 3/16 plate and ran a couple 1" square .120 length wise for strength, with 4 uprights out of thin wall to save weight where I could:



The frame work extends 1/2" past the 4' plate so that it's flush when closed against the future stops:

Originally was going to keep it simple and make it like a stakebed , with a small rail around the outside. Then, like always, I had to make it complicated. Not wanting to sell the gun scabbard accessory on craigslist, I found some pipe the right diameter, albeit very thin (and difficult to weld to 3/16 plate!).
The pipes needed to be flared for the scabbard to fit properly....all I had that would work was a hammer and a brake lathe cone:

kinda forgot the first part. I took the steel guts/frame out of the original bed and chopped off a few inches, then welded on some thick walled rectangular tubing.
While I was at it, I redid the shock lift mount. It was discarded when the turbo was installed, because of interference issues:

I started a new project a couple weeks ago. For those that didn't see (and didn't get a chance to poke fun at me), the new-to-me toy hauler I purchased last year , I bought one that had a 12' garage and then proceeded to stuff a 12.5' Ranger Crew in it. To make it work, I had to raise the roof/bed to clear the top of the ranger, and take the bed off to gain clearance length wise....kind of a pain.

This is what it looks like loaded up:
http://real-man-truckworks-and-survival.com/index.php?topic=993.msg19155#msg19155

Sorry I missed ya but I had the day from hell anyhow.....I wouldn't have made a very good host.
The temps also made me a bit testy!

Thank you Charles, and happy father's day to all of you.

Congrats! looks just like his papa.

That's just pilot talk Dave. You'll get used to it eventually.

You had me right up til the orange sillycone!  smh&LOLing

I think I might have a used one of these by the end of the week. Supposed to be a pretty good one.

http://www.baileigh.com/manual-tube-bender-rdb-050

Lookin forward to the carnage. Subbbbbbbed

Dumb me almost asked if you were a lefty. lol

Sorry Shawn for stepping on your toes, just throwing my $.03 in.

That's not a Hook JR !!! shame on you.

Problem is, you can't afford the amount of food and drink that 'ol Nate can pack away! lol

Caravan JR? No thanks, I'm not a Dodge fan. :)

I think that if we can make it to Neck's hideout, we could all fit in his mansion on wheels. Several of us could throw a 6" lift on it fairly quickly, and push/pull it up Don's trail, with someone on the roof with a chainsaw to clear the way while watching for pee'd off neighbors with pitchforks....I'm all in!!!

That looks mighty tasty.

I like that look. Was going to do mine like that but didn't trust the linex shop at the time.

Last I checked scrap is at $140 a ton on my commercial account. So whats a old Burb weigh? I'd say right at $500 would be my high side... and he'd have to supply the wasp killer.

Keep in mind I am very thrifty/broke whatever ya call it. I am upset I have $800 SO FAR INTO MY NEW TRUCK...nuts I tell yah

I agree.  500 tops.

...around here, at this point in time, non-commercial pays 30-40/ton. Can't get rid of junk cars cuz they're only worth 50 bucks....costs more to haul them.

Talking about raining on a guy's parade. Geese Nate.