I'm more into metal working than any other kind of fabricating. I like to fabricate my own parts and build things, but I constantly worry about proper fitment of my parts and strength of them. I haven't had any problems before, but I still worry. are there any tips besides the classic measure twice cut once? how about tips about fixing something if you mess up?

 

I make brackets all the time.. I use a framing hammer, a vice, MAP gas torch and brazing rods, I only measure half the time.. If it doesn't work, start again. Experience is cheaper than steel..

 

Also if somebody else made them...why cant I???And patience.. Just try to use quality materials...

 

just about anything made out of metal can be made with some scissors, cardboard and duct tape, mach it up first and then build it for real.

 

hey, i never thought about using cardboard and duct tape. that's a good idea.

 

A few more tips;

- jigging and fixtures make a world of difference.
- make a jig out of plywood and 2x4's
- a drill press is very handy
- cardboard and hotglue also works

 

i prefer posterboard myself it cuts easier and leaves a cleaner edge for tracing back on to the metal. plus if you need to make bends it creases well and leaves a lot straighter line than cardboard

 

I personally haven't done this, but this is what my dad and uncle use all the time. They just buy it in large quantities so they get it really cheap and it typically lasts through the year. Since I'm good at visualizing things, they bounce their ideas off of me and figure out if it would work or not. Then they grab the scissors and get to work.

Mike

 

the concept is really great. using posterboard or cardboard. anybody have tips of what to use when trying to make sub frame connectors? I've been reading the thread about it recently and now I wanna try my hand at building them since it'll be getting warmer. what can I use to take place of square tubing? its like 1" square tubing.

 

buy an 8ft 2x4 and rip it on a table saw and then use that to mock it up. you will get 16ft of wood for like 2$

 

when built a simple skeleton frame for the front of my kit car I ended up drawing the dimensions with chalk on the driveway and used that as my template to make the bends I needed. I imagine the same would work in this case as long as you took good measurements then you could take your time and build as you want it without climbing under the car all the time. At least this will give you a visual and you can use the 2x4s to map it...not sure if this is more work than needed but since you are looking for other ideas thought I would pass this along.

 

Only thing I can add is, if youre going to bend, or cut without a precise measurment (and sometimes even with one) always go small first. Its easier to bend a little more, or cut a little more, than it is to unbend, or add material.