Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 12:02:41 -0400
Reply-To: Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Daniel Stevens <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
Subject: Re: After market rear bumpers?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
George I appreciate the input, though i'm not referring to rigid as a name brand, but the THICK pipe that isn't made to bend.. (it's near 1/4" thick, heavier then light structural steel)
I do use a steel supply for my tubing and sheets, but i will alwayws point out whats avail to everyone at local homedepot type places.
yeah I know the limits of the premade 90's but i section them or cut straight @ 2 45's and make squareish corners on mine..
as for the galvan coating.. i'm good with that, no need for polished chrome look anyways.. and YES it does hold black paint fine..
the area to be welded HAS TO BE GROUND FREE OF THE GALV COATING though.. Galv fumes are bad..
I agree with seekingout the professional welders.. I come from a family of Ironworkers/blue collar welders.. and I dabble comfy enough to fab my own bumpers/mounts/adapters and graft body sections..
now concerning my options to the stock vanagon sheet-metal my kids tricycle can bend it bumper i'm fairly content with a useful pice of gumption on the back..
word of caution, a good rear hit can and likely will create some frame damage/warpage.
but compared to my stock van bumper it'd have done that and then some (to the motor/tranny liekly)
one thing I do like about the Vanagon listserv is that one is garunteed creative criticism... and it's quite welcome to help point out and work out short comings to a thought/idea/plan
all I offer is that which I have found successful and to make listees go Hmmmmm...
to each YMMV
>>> <THX0001@aol.com> 10/03/03 11:40AM >>>
In a message dated 10/3/03 9:36:50 AM, dosteven@SYR.EDU writes:
<< . . . goto Home Depot buy 2 10ft lengths of 2" rigid electrical conduit, 4
90' bends . . . >>
Bad idea for many reasons. First, will you guys please get your heads out of
Home Depot every time you need something made of metal? There are better
places to find anything. Home depot doesn't even have good plywood.
Now, Dan my man, rigid conduit is a horrible choice of material for a bumper
because it is made for bending. And, the sweep of a 2" ell is at least a
foot, so the endos won't exactly hug the body. Anyway, if you like the longhorn
steer look, why not simply bend the rigid?
Then there's the hot-dipped galvanized coating with which to deal. It will
not hold paint very well and no matter how much you polish it, it's not going
to look like chrome. While painted rigid might still be available, I've never
seen it offered for sell in my lifetime.
Here's the constructive (officious?) end of my criticism: Seek out a fab shop
in the dinghy part of town or out where the corn grows high and either buy
some light gauge structural stock from them or have the grimy hands at the shop
fab a bumper for you. You'll find these guys to be honest and they'll not
overcharge you. They work hard for a living, so they know the value of a buck.
If you act like a decent kinda guy, they'll treat you as one and you'll get
none of that value-added, internet bullshit from them.
George
