Welding Tips and Tricks

Not really a necessary thing but I’m trying to practice TIG every chance I get. I’m also happier having the tank outside the car because once you can smell it up front, there is already a decent amount inside and I’m not too partial to blowing up.

I built the rear bumper and tire carrier about 5 years ago and stuck a second 2” receiver in the swinging arm so I could carry a bike rack or whatever and have it swing outward with the tire so it was a bit more convenient.

I started out bending up some 1.5” .120 Wall HREW tubing.
I cut the receiver off of an old busted bike rack and crudely “fixtured” it.
I had to fill a bit and ended up really heating the piece up. Kinda greeted out I think from being so hot but outside the Ar. Could just be bad technique as well.
Tested the fit and shape
I then shaped a piece of strap around the tank using clamps and hammers and my hands. Took a long time but got it bent and then welded it up. It fits the tank perfectly (surprised me actually, generally things don’t come out that well)
Then I made the restraining strap. Used a swag off-road press brake.

Then I tacked made two brackets using some scrap plate and tacked it up
Welded it up once I was happy with the fit.
I gave my first go at walking the cup. It didn’t go well. I also tried a long stickput with a #8 Gas lens for the hard to reach parts. Too much torch angle I think and lots of brown.
That’s where I’m at. It is just a bit too wobbly bolted into the hitch. Gotta work on that. And still need to cap the end of the tube as well as add a bit of a gusset on the inside. But happy with it so far.

Sorry, not sure why some of the pics are sideways.

You can add some welded “beads” on two adjacent sides of your plug-in to the hitch receiver. That will improve the fit and allow you to get a snug, no wiggle ride for your appendage.

Axleike,
I think you did a fine job on your project. I refer to these types of projects as "POC" or proof of concept. For me a POC is when I have a complete project done and functional, a failure means I have no "POC" because my idea did not pan out as planned. More projects means more welding, more welding equals learning and making mistakes but also learning how to correct those mistakes then or next time. Unless one just is really thick then your skills will usually grow as when you first picked up a tool as a child or teenager. I bet your skills are much better as an adult then back when you were a kid. I am a hack welder at my 61 years of age but have made great leaps and bounds from 2 years ago because I practice and really love tig welding as a serious hobby. Good job with your attention to details on your project. Nothing wrong with sideways pictures modern phones and the like are %^*+ up anyhow!

Brad

my phone loads my pics sideways i fix it by rotating them one complete turn
before saving them.
craig

Looks really nice!

Ballistic fab sells some really nice tube caps/ends

https://www.ballisticfabrication.com/co ... and-spikes