sheetmetal fab

[B-one]

hey guys,

i was pokin around my passenger side floor the other day, and noticed a couple small holes in the floor. upon further examination, i noticed the steel around the body mount bolt is starting to go.

anyways, i want to replace my floor (tunnel is good), and cant afford to get raped by the shipping. so i was thinkin about doing them myself.

any idea how to 'dimple' some sheet steel at home? i dont mind the rest of the floor being flat, but i need that dimple for the body mount bolt.

sorry for the ramble.

opinions?

[69crawler]

I used some 12 ga. for my floor boards and bent them to fit. For the mount bolt I cut a round hole for access. Filled it up with poly urathane caulk then duraliner. Can cut it out later if needed and its water tight.

[silverhorse]

I dimplied mine with a large socket and a big hammer.

[highlander]

You can also run a bolt and nut through a socket and a tapered lug nut, then just tighten it down.

[B-one]

thanks for the advice fellas. there is a bunch of ways to skin this cat i guess. how are the steel prices down there? a 4x8 sheet of 16 gauge is 75 bucks here.

[earlybronco72]

You can also run a bolt and nut through a socket and a tapered lug nut, then just tighten it down.

Good one. I will have to remember that one. I'm not sure how thick my floor pans are, but they are close to 1/8" thick. I just cut a hole where the bolt goes through. Works for my junk.

[B-one]

this is how far i got after work yesterday, i think its turning out pretty good. really helps to have a brake, and a large stash of hammers. lol

[CityHick]

this is how far i got after work yesterday, i think its turning out pretty good. really helps to have a brake, and a large stash of hammers. lol

That looks pretty good... I may have to copy your home-made brake design for some custom pieces I've been thinking about making for a while now.

Tony

[PhantomEB]

Same here, I was recently looking at sheet metal brakes but werent impressed with their quality, yours is nicer and cheaper to fab up!!

[B-one]

its really easy.

parts list includes:

1/2" plate 6" wide
8" C channel
1/4" x 1 1/2" angle iron
a couple heavy gate hinges
and your choice of handles.

i dont get that sharp of angles, due to the hinges, but a vice and a hammer can fix that real easy.

haha, price was something like 7 bucks. lol

[PhantomEB]

Not to mention you can make it as wide as your needs dictate, personally I was thinking 4-6' wide.

[blwngsket]

Iv'e been using a couple peices of 1/4 plate steel and clamps on my bench. Can be a pain lining it up but you make due. This looks real easy and cheaper than the cheap Harbor Freight ones.
Nice
Tony

[B-one]

kick panel patch, and 3/4 of the floor welded in.

[Formerjughead]

Thats a good looking patch!!............I like the break as well. It looks to be more user friendly than this one:

http://millerwelds.com/education/pro...bending_brake/

Brad

[CityHick]

Your patch looks good. I wish I would have taken the "spot welding" approach but oh well... Mine worked and looks decent. Now seal up those seams and get some paint on there!

Tony