smooth welds or not?

Chris speaks the truth, grinding down the weld only hurts you structualy. If you can leave them I would, especially where it wont be seen under the truck, from about your back wall forward. You can sleeve the joints inside the tubing and then smooth the weld out and you will be able to keep the strenth. Shitty parth is that some meeting points are just about imposible to sleeve. When you sleeve the tubing =-= drill holes in both exterior sides to plug the sleeve in place. leave your self about 3/16 gap between where the two exterior pieces meet. plug weld your holes once everything lines up, then burn meeting joint in ]_[ by pointing at the sleeve and melting in the sides. you got to make sure your burning into the sleeve. to help on some of the ones you cant sleeve make sure you chamfer the shit out of the edges/meeting points to get the best results \/

Edited: 12/13/2007 10:56:24 PM by suckafree

kinda like I did with the whole frame before I layed a single bead on it a lil harder to do on round tubing

Not really? Find a piece of round that fits inside what you are using and do the same...

we'll see...im still a 4 link and "x" amount tube away from starting the bridge.

I say take your time and run some bad ass welds. A clean weld shows just as much craftsmanship as if you would just grind them off.

Originally posted by bdroppeddak



build a bunch of handrails before you start, you'll get good at metalfinishing tubing joints!! ive gotten good enough to where i can use a 40g flap disk and make it smooth enough for just primer and paint!

i did ornemintal iron work for a few years..theres no needfor bondo...ust get a flap disk like cris sayed and take your time..