Re: Trailers - Weld yourself?
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Gordon Snapp" <grsnapp@c...> wrote:
at $300 models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models -
forget that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer
that won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not
worried about beautiful beads, I just want something that will work
and be reliable.
the hands of an expert. But the expert will choose a better piece
of equipment to do the job.
The $300 gasless wire feed welders can get some work done although
the results are messy, requiring much cleanup of spatter and coating
everything with flux dust/smoke. Again, it takes experience to
understand why the first 1/2" of bead is junk when using these
things, and knowing how to compensate for the cold joint.
The $500 gas wire feed welders actually can do some pretty good
work, in the hands of someone experienced. I have one, and I've
added accessories to my utility trailer, and repaired a few things
around the house, but when I wanted to extend the tongue, I cut, and
ground, and clamped and then called a guy I knew could REALLY weld,
treated him to dinner, and he spent 20 minutes doing it right,
experimenting on scrap w' my welder to make sure he knew what it
could do.
So PLEASE buy a trailer, and pay a PRO for the welding modification
work. Don't just get a buddy who says "yeah, no problem". A pro
will have a truck mounted welding machine. You won't need 220vac in
your garage, etc.
Don
I'll agree with those who have said NO, don't do it yourself. False
economy to risk all your effort in building the boat to a home
welded trailer
>$100 version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more
> How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a
at $300 models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models -
forget that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer
that won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not
worried about beautiful beads, I just want something that will work
and be reliable.
>The $100 welder is useless except for some particular light work in
>
the hands of an expert. But the expert will choose a better piece
of equipment to do the job.
The $300 gasless wire feed welders can get some work done although
the results are messy, requiring much cleanup of spatter and coating
everything with flux dust/smoke. Again, it takes experience to
understand why the first 1/2" of bead is junk when using these
things, and knowing how to compensate for the cold joint.
The $500 gas wire feed welders actually can do some pretty good
work, in the hands of someone experienced. I have one, and I've
added accessories to my utility trailer, and repaired a few things
around the house, but when I wanted to extend the tongue, I cut, and
ground, and clamped and then called a guy I knew could REALLY weld,
treated him to dinner, and he spent 20 minutes doing it right,
experimenting on scrap w' my welder to make sure he knew what it
could do.
So PLEASE buy a trailer, and pay a PRO for the welding modification
work. Don't just get a buddy who says "yeah, no problem". A pro
will have a truck mounted welding machine. You won't need 220vac in
your garage, etc.
Don
I'll agree with those who have said NO, don't do it yourself. False
economy to risk all your effort in building the boat to a home
welded trailer
Check this site:
http://www.butlerprojects.com/other/topper/index.htm
Gary Blankenship
http://www.butlerprojects.com/other/topper/index.htm
Gary Blankenship
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Lefebvre" <paul@w...> wrote:
>
> (slightly off topic...)
>
> Gordon,
>
> I've build 3 strip kayaks and a canoe and have often thought about
building
> a cap for my pickup out of the leftovers - could you post some pics
> somewhere of your camper? I'd love to see how it looks....
>
> thanks
>
> Paul Lefebvre
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:bolger@yahoogroups.com[mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com]On
Behalf Of
> Gordon Snapp
> Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:21 PM
> To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [bolger] Trailers - Weld yourself?
>
>
> All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm
> considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot
range,
> lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer.
> Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper shell.
One reason
> I build my boats because I don't have the money to buy them
premade. I
> would like to build a trailer, partly for the same reason. I'd
like some
> advice on whether this is practicable. I don't mind work - my
labor is
> about the only part of the boat that is free. But I don't have a
welder,
> and have very little welding experience. I did a tiny bit of arc
welding in
> college 20 years ago.
>
> How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a
$100
> version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at
$300
> models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget
that!)
> How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that won't
break when
> you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about beautiful
beads, I
> just want something that will work and be reliable. I'd also like
the whole
> thing to end up being cheaper than store-bought, or about the same
(because
> if it's the same, at least I get a welder and some experience out
of the
> deal, right? Plus a trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Gordon Snapp
> Central Coast of California
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging
dead
> horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred'
posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA,
01930, Fax:
> (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
A happy medium in trailer building is to buy your own steel, do your
own cutting and layout, fit all the pieces together square and level,
and have a local welding guy come and do just the welds.
This worked out for me because I knew 1) a friend with a garage that
had 240V service; and 2) a good local welder who was happy to come
over and do all the welds, for about a hundred bucks. Then I did all
the wiring and attaching of lights, axles, wheels, etc. It was very
satisfying to "almost" build my own trailer.
After trying a few welds on my own, and then comparing mine to the
ones done by the expert -- well, I shudder at the thought of my boat
and trailer scattered like war wreckage along the Mass Pike.
The difficulty is find items 1) and 2) above . . . but they may exist
in your area.
All best,
Garth
own cutting and layout, fit all the pieces together square and level,
and have a local welding guy come and do just the welds.
This worked out for me because I knew 1) a friend with a garage that
had 240V service; and 2) a good local welder who was happy to come
over and do all the welds, for about a hundred bucks. Then I did all
the wiring and attaching of lights, axles, wheels, etc. It was very
satisfying to "almost" build my own trailer.
After trying a few welds on my own, and then comparing mine to the
ones done by the expert -- well, I shudder at the thought of my boat
and trailer scattered like war wreckage along the Mass Pike.
The difficulty is find items 1) and 2) above . . . but they may exist
in your area.
All best,
Garth
> >
> At the risk of appearing a grinch, a boat trailer is a poor
> selection to teach yourself to weld. Not only do you risk the
> danger of wrecking your boat but also quite possibly hurt someone
> else in the process. I speak from the experience of having people
> come to me to "fix up" some home made trailer thay bought at a
> auction somewhere. If you are not an experienced welder with good
> equipment you'd be way ahead to buy a trailer and find another place
> to save some money. If you are determined to go ahead take a
> welding course at a local community college, it will be invaluable.
>
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Paul Lefebvre" <paul@w...> wrote:
selection to teach yourself to weld. Not only do you risk the
danger of wrecking your boat but also quite possibly hurt someone
else in the process. I speak from the experience of having people
come to me to "fix up" some home made trailer thay bought at a
auction somewhere. If you are not an experienced welder with good
equipment you'd be way ahead to buy a trailer and find another place
to save some money. If you are determined to go ahead take a
welding course at a local community college, it will be invaluable.
>At the risk of appearing a grinch, a boat trailer is a poor
> (> Gordon Snapp
> Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:21 PM
> To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [bolger] Trailers - Weld yourself?
>
>
> I did a tiny bit of arc welding in
> college 20 years ago.
>
selection to teach yourself to weld. Not only do you risk the
danger of wrecking your boat but also quite possibly hurt someone
else in the process. I speak from the experience of having people
come to me to "fix up" some home made trailer thay bought at a
auction somewhere. If you are not an experienced welder with good
equipment you'd be way ahead to buy a trailer and find another place
to save some money. If you are determined to go ahead take a
welding course at a local community college, it will be invaluable.
(slightly off topic...)
Gordon,
I've build 3 strip kayaks and a canoe and have often thought about building
a cap for my pickup out of the leftovers - could you post some pics
somewhere of your camper? I'd love to see how it looks....
thanks
Paul Lefebvre
-----Original Message-----
From:bolger@yahoogroups.com[mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
Gordon Snapp
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:21 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Trailers - Weld yourself?
All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm
considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot range,
lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer.
Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper shell. One reason
I build my boats because I don't have the money to buy them premade. I
would like to build a trailer, partly for the same reason. I'd like some
advice on whether this is practicable. I don't mind work - my labor is
about the only part of the boat that is free. But I don't have a welder,
and have very little welding experience. I did a tiny bit of arc welding in
college 20 years ago.
How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100
version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300
models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget that!)
How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that won't break when
you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about beautiful beads, I
just want something that will work and be reliable. I'd also like the whole
thing to end up being cheaper than store-bought, or about the same (because
if it's the same, at least I get a welder and some experience out of the
deal, right? Plus a trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
Any thoughts, anyone?
Thanks in advance!
Gordon Snapp
Central Coast of California
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging dead
horses
- stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
- Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
- Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax:
(978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
- Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Yahoo! Groups Links
Gordon,
I've build 3 strip kayaks and a canoe and have often thought about building
a cap for my pickup out of the leftovers - could you post some pics
somewhere of your camper? I'd love to see how it looks....
thanks
Paul Lefebvre
-----Original Message-----
From:bolger@yahoogroups.com[mailto:bolger@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
Gordon Snapp
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2005 8:21 PM
To:bolger@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [bolger] Trailers - Weld yourself?
All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm
considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot range,
lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer.
Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper shell. One reason
I build my boats because I don't have the money to buy them premade. I
would like to build a trailer, partly for the same reason. I'd like some
advice on whether this is practicable. I don't mind work - my labor is
about the only part of the boat that is free. But I don't have a welder,
and have very little welding experience. I did a tiny bit of arc welding in
college 20 years ago.
How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100
version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300
models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget that!)
How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that won't break when
you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about beautiful beads, I
just want something that will work and be reliable. I'd also like the whole
thing to end up being cheaper than store-bought, or about the same (because
if it's the same, at least I get a welder and some experience out of the
deal, right? Plus a trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
Any thoughts, anyone?
Thanks in advance!
Gordon Snapp
Central Coast of California
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Bolger rules!!!
- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging dead
horses
- stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
- Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
- Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax:
(978) 282-1349
- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
- Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Yahoo! Groups Links
Check the Glen-L web site. They have books, plans and materials for
building trailers.
Regards,
Rob M
building trailers.
Regards,
Rob M
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "Gordon Snapp" <grsnapp@c...> wrote:
>
> All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice.
I'm considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-
foot range, lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a
trailer. Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper
shell. One reason I build my boats because I don't have the money to
buy them premade. I would like to build a trailer, partly for the
same reason. I'd like some advice on whether this is practicable. I
don't mind work - my labor is about the only part of the boat that is
free. But I don't have a welder, and have very little welding
experience. I did a tiny bit of arc welding in college 20 years ago.
>
> How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a
$100 version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more
at $300 models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models -
forget that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer
that won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried
about beautiful beads, I just want something that will work and be
reliable. I'd also like the whole thing to end up being cheaper than
store-bought, or about the same (because if it's the same, at least I
get a welder and some experience out of the deal, right? Plus a
trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Gordon Snapp
> Central Coast of California
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Look at EZ Loader trailer designs. They are mostly just bolted together
with two bent members toward the front, which you could get a shop to do for
you.
http://www.ezloadercustoms.com/caa.htm
with two bent members toward the front, which you could get a shop to do for
you.
http://www.ezloadercustoms.com/caa.htm
I took a welding class one time to build a wood stove. I used the
schools welder and had the shop teachers help as well.. Go to a college
and ask them about a welding class. If I remember right I got it all for
about 150 dollars.
Doug
Gordon Snapp wrote:
schools welder and had the shop teachers help as well.. Go to a college
and ask them about a welding class. If I remember right I got it all for
about 150 dollars.
Doug
Gordon Snapp wrote:
> All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm
> considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot
> range, lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a
> trailer. Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper
> shell. One reason I build my boats because I don't have the money to
> buy them premade. I would like to build a trailer, partly for the
> same reason. I'd like some advice on whether this is practicable. I
> don't mind work - my labor is about the only part of the boat that is
> free. But I don't have a welder, and have very little welding
> experience. I did a tiny bit of arc welding in college 20 years ago.
>
> How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100
> version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300
> models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget
> that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that
> won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about
> beautiful beads, I just want something that will work and be
> reliable. I'd also like the whole thing to end up being cheaper than
> store-bought, or about the same (because if it's the same, at least I
> get a welder and some experience out of the deal, right? Plus a
> trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
>
> Any thoughts, anyone?
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Gordon Snapp
> Central Coast of California
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> Bolger rules!!!
> - no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging
> dead horses
> - stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
> - Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
> - Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930,
> Fax: (978) 282-1349
> - Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> - Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
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Without question, a good deal on a used trailer plus retrofit with new
tires, wires, etc. can beat the cost of materials to build plus a welder.
As a professional welder, one piece of advice is to not bother with a
120 V welder of any kind. They don't apply enough power and therefore
haven't enough penetration to be useful. 240 V applies twice as much
power with the same current and therefore same size wires, both in the
supply circuit and welder itself.
Gordon Snapp wrote:
tires, wires, etc. can beat the cost of materials to build plus a welder.
As a professional welder, one piece of advice is to not bother with a
120 V welder of any kind. They don't apply enough power and therefore
haven't enough penetration to be useful. 240 V applies twice as much
power with the same current and therefore same size wires, both in the
supply circuit and welder itself.
Gordon Snapp wrote:
>All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot range, lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer. Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper shell. One reason I build my boats because I don't have the money to buy them premade. I would like to build a trailer, partly for the same reason. I'd like some advice on whether this is practicable. I don't mind work - my labor is about the only part of the boat that is free. But I don't have a welder, and have very little welding experience. I did a tiny bit of arc welding in college 20 years ago.
>
>How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100 version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300 models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about beautiful beads, I just want something that will work and be reliable. I'd also like the whole thing to end up being cheaper than store-bought, or about the same (because if it's the same, at least I get a welder and some experience out of the deal, right? Plus a trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
>
>Any thoughts, anyone?
>
>Thanks in advance!
>
>Gordon Snapp
>Central Coast of California
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
>Bolger rules!!!
>- no cursing, flaming, trolling, spamming, respamming, or flogging dead horses
>- stay on topic, stay on thread, punctuate, no 'Ed, thanks, Fred' posts
>- Pls add your comments at the TOP, SIGN your posts, and snip away
>- Plans: Mr. Philip C. Bolger, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA, 01930, Fax: (978) 282-1349
>- Unsubscribe:bolger-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>- Open discussion:bolger_coffee_lounge-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Rob Rohde - Szudy has a couple of excellent articles on building your
own trailer at Duckworks...
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/rob/index1.htm
cheers
Derek
own trailer at Duckworks...
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/06/columns/rob/index1.htm
cheers
Derek
All this talk about trailers has inspired me to ask for advice. I'm considering building a sailboat soon - something in the 15-19-foot range, lightweight lapstrake plywood construction. I'll need a trailer. Previously I've built two kayaks and a wood-strip camper shell. One reason I build my boats because I don't have the money to buy them premade. I would like to build a trailer, partly for the same reason. I'd like some advice on whether this is practicable. I don't mind work - my labor is about the only part of the boat that is free. But I don't have a welder, and have very little welding experience. I did a tiny bit of arc welding in college 20 years ago.
How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100 version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300 models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about beautiful beads, I just want something that will work and be reliable. I'd also like the whole thing to end up being cheaper than store-bought, or about the same (because if it's the same, at least I get a welder and some experience out of the deal, right? Plus a trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
Any thoughts, anyone?
Thanks in advance!
Gordon Snapp
Central Coast of California
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
How much of a welder do you need to weld a boat trailer? Will a $100 version they sell at Kragens work, or should I be looking more at $300 models from the local tool supply store (or $2000 models - forget that!) How much skill do you need in order to weld a trailer that won't break when you hit the first bump? Again, I'm not worried about beautiful beads, I just want something that will work and be reliable. I'd also like the whole thing to end up being cheaper than store-bought, or about the same (because if it's the same, at least I get a welder and some experience out of the deal, right? Plus a trailer custom tailored to my needs, right?)
Any thoughts, anyone?
Thanks in advance!
Gordon Snapp
Central Coast of California
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]