DIY Slider Concerns

Do y'all think if I bought 3 different plates and welded them together front and back at the angles needed, that would be sufficient strength?
Im curious on this as well, im proficient with a welder. It this a viable solution to not having a bender?
 
Im curious on this as well, im proficient with a welder. It this a viable solution to not having a bender?
I would imagine it is strong enough. I've tested my welds and they hold up real well but I figured someone might have a better idea.
 
if your a decent welder it'll be one piece when your done.
I would imagine it is strong enough. I've tested my welds and they hold up real well but I figured someone might have a better idea.

Thank you both i figured the awnser would be it will be as strong as the welder. Figured cant hurt to ask. Looks like I have a new project to take on.
 
Thank you both i figured the awnser would be it will be as strong as the welder. Figured cant hurt to ask. Looks like I have a new project to take on.
How difficult is it to do 5 feet of weld without warping the slider?
 
How difficult is it to do 5 feet of weld without warping the slider?
got better odds of hittin the lottery, but since none of you can run a 5ft bead your probably safe ;).

spreading out short stitches will be your best bet, along with a sturdy bench and lots of clamps.
 
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Still feels optimistic
the problem comes about 2hrs in and you see your little bit of progress spreadin 2" runs out and allowing them to cool b4 startin another batch and then you start doin 3" and then a 4" here and there cause it's takin forever. then your dorked when you pop them clamps.

fancy designs make it more difficult to control, 90* corners offer a "hard way" or width of material fighting the urge to bend. lessor angles get harder to hold true, and you may want to preload your length a bit to compensate for some drawback.

but if you got a buddy with a big ass press, go to town and then straighten it up.
 
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That's exactly the problem. I took my time with my rear bumper and it still warped some on me. That's a long stretch of weld. I had mine clamped down completely and as soon as I released the clamps it bowed. Back to welding school for me.
 
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How difficult is it to do 5 feet of weld without warping the slider?
Well i mean it will be a challenge but tacking it in place then clamping some aluminum to it to keep it straight and not burn though would be my plan of attack maybe i missing something? Feel free to educate me
 
Well i mean it will be a challenge but tacking it in place then clamping some aluminum to it to keep it straight and not burn though would be my plan of attack maybe i missing something? Feel free to educate me
Cheaper to buy unless your labor is worth nothing
 
Cheaper to buy unless your labor is worth nothing
Oh, on that point i couldnt agree more but it comes down to learning new things. Understanding how things work.That sometimes more enjoyable than just hitting order. Who knows maybe i just end up buying them life and time can only tell.
 
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Understanding how things work.
they are not wrong..........the way it works is, the steel is heated and expands. when it cools it contracts or shrinks and this pulls the surrounding material and causes a bow. peening the welds can help and so can alternating or opposing welds front and back.

small stitches and check it often, even if you have to unclamp it and look down the length and give it a tweek now and then b4 re-clamping and continuing. it's gonna move you have to learn how to control the move.
 
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I've bent metal plate using this method but nothing as long as a slider. Rather than scoring the metal for the full length you could actually slice it right through provided you kept portions intact. With a bit of work it could be done.

 
they are not wrong..........the way it works is, the steel is heated and expands. when it cools it contracts or shrinks and this pulls the surrounding material and causes a bow. peening the welds can help and so can alternating or opposing welds front and back.

small stitches and check it often, even if you have to unclamp it and look down the length and give it a tweek now and then b4 re-clamping and continuing. it's gonna move you have to learn how to control the move.
I know about the science itself with heat expansion and cooling leading to warping and ways to prevent it. Sorry as i might have been misleading in what i was saying.
I did call myself a proficient welder and one would hope a proficient welder would know such info😂

I appreciate the brush up though.

What i was getting at was with the comment of why to not buy things instead. Well becuase its fun, its a hobby
 
I know about the science itself with heat expansion and cooling leading to warping and ways to prevent it. Sorry as i might have been misleading in what i was saying.
I did call myself a proficient welder and one would hope a proficient welder would know such info😂

I appreciate the brush up though.

What i was getting at was with the comment of why to not buy things instead. Well becuase its fun, its a hobby
Well, not for nothing but the way you and someguy have explained it, if I take my rosebud torch and heat up the two long pieces clamped at an angle and let them cool, they will now be warped. That isn't exactly true.
 
BS, the only reason to buy is if you can't make it or don't wanna try.
Well, there is a bit of BS in there as well.
I'm getting my TJ-6 ready for paint. No fucking way am I going to do that myself.
I bought Mopar bumpers for it because I can modify them, I can't copy them.
My machinist could build me some rims, the chunk of billet for one would cost what I paid for all of the ones I bought.

Want me to keep going?

There are lots of reasons to buy stuff especially if you are after a certain level of finished quality and don't want to spend 20 hours making some sliders that you have to trash because they are warped pieces of shit.
 
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Well, not for nothing but the way you and someguy have explained it, if I take my rosebud torch and heat up the two long pieces clamped at an angle and let them cool, they will now be warped. That isn't exactly true.
my understanding is if you heat it the metal expands in all directions and and contracts. Without being withstrained it should go back in to forum.

How far off am i ?😂
 
No fucking way am I going to do that myself.
I can't copy them.
Want me to keep going?
no, i don't think there is any disagreement here.
My machinist could build me some rims, the chunk of billet for one would cost what I paid for all of the ones I bought.
ok here is a great instance of i might/could, but why bother,

my sliders are 2 pieces, 2 parts welded together. in the end i have no more than a very slight bend along the length, left there purposely to add some preload against the tub.

they've been warned of the potential problems and given some advice how to combat it, if they want a crack at it, who am i to stop the party.