So I finally picked up my Lincoln ProMig180, and I have already burnt three of the smaller spools of fluxcore wire through it, and I really feel like I'm starting to improve. I started out just burning some beads on some 3/16 plate, then I just went ahead and started making a welding cart. I made a work surface on top so I could set stuff on it and weld on it if needed. I also put a vice up there to hold stuff so I could cut/weld on it. I painted it a nice red to match the welder when I was done. Here's some pics.
Then I made some rock rails for my XJ. The rails are 1/8". I wanted to go with 3/16", but the steel supplier didn't have it, so I settled with 1/8 and added an extra support leg. Its a pretty straightforward design. I just sort of looked at what everyone else did, and copied what I thought would suit my needs. At some point I will add the tube on the outside to function as a step and to better protect my doors and mirrors. Here's some pics of those.
Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism on the welds would be appreciated too. Those were some of my better looking welds, I had a couple that were downright ugly. They had pores in them, uneven pattern, ridges, valleys, yuck. I'd say 85% of my welds look like the ones in the pictures though, so I'm pretty happy. I plan on stepping up to gas pretty soon, so hopefully that will help my welds look a little better.
Then I made some rock rails for my XJ. The rails are 1/8". I wanted to go with 3/16", but the steel supplier didn't have it, so I settled with 1/8 and added an extra support leg. Its a pretty straightforward design. I just sort of looked at what everyone else did, and copied what I thought would suit my needs. At some point I will add the tube on the outside to function as a step and to better protect my doors and mirrors. Here's some pics of those.
Let me know what you think. Constructive criticism on the welds would be appreciated too. Those were some of my better looking welds, I had a couple that were downright ugly. They had pores in them, uneven pattern, ridges, valleys, yuck. I'd say 85% of my welds look like the ones in the pictures though, so I'm pretty happy. I plan on stepping up to gas pretty soon, so hopefully that will help my welds look a little better.