Date: Tue, 2 Aug 2022 17:05:59 -0700
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Doing another rear aluminum bumper
In-Reply-To: <CAK9Aa+n4SvcYraHtPPc0wMRdvwsP2DgdyFq9sJzUniwbPHQcOQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Hey Bruce. I hope to make more bumpers, well I have to make at least 2 sets. We will see how it goes.
I’m kinda slightly regretting my orange choice before seeing it. But hey, live a little .
Ab
> On Aug 2, 2022, at 1:28 PM, Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Or one side orange and the other side brown to compliment Alistair’s best
> in class colour scheme!
>
> Thebumper looks very nice. I could also be a beta tester - and you know
> where my van currently lives. I decided to to go with my stock bumpers
> and not upgrade to keep project costs somewhat in line. Anyway if you
> begin to roll these off the Bell Industry’s assembly line - you have
> another client…I can even pick up factory seconds directly from the factory.
>
> Bruce
>
>> On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, David Boan <dboan@outlook.com> wrote:
>>
>> I think you should paint one side white and the other orange, and promote
>> it as an example of the spirit of compromise in marriage,
>>
>> Dave B
>> Boise
>> ________________________________
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> on behalf of Eric
>> Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
>> Sent: Tuesday, August 2, 2022 12:40 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Subject: Re: Doing another rear aluminum bumper
>>
>> I would love to have my van be orange! But, white is so darn practical
>> for heat when camping. Also, my wife is anti orange color for us. Still a
>> orange 76 westy still fills my dreams!
>>
>> The bumpers in Orange sound great to me!
>>
>> Still aluminum can’t just be pretty polished? I don’t know these things
>> but simple care is appealing.
>>
>> Eric
>>
>>
>>>> On Aug 2, 2022, at 1:34 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hey Eric,
>>>
>>> Got a line of beta testers waiting here…. But I’ll put you on the list
>> :-)
>>>
>>> It’s 1/4” 5052 aluminum. Yes it’s strong enough to stand on, that’s
>> important to me too. And the top plate, the standing surface, is flat, not
>> slightly angled as in the stock steel. So less chance of slipping off in
>> the wet.
>>>
>>> Took bumper to powdercoat today. Was going to be all black, a very
>> slight texture . But he showed me a gloss orange that so very closely
>> matches the orange doors I’ve got on van… so why not, encaps still black.
>>>
>>> I can repaint if the orange looks silly
>>>
>>>
>>> Ab
>>>
>>>> On Aug 2, 2022, at 9:17 AM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hey,
>>>>
>>>> Looking for a Beta tester? I’ll pay shipping and more!
>>>>
>>>> Light, strong, rust proof, and stock like look? What is not to love?
>> And, Bell Industries reputation behind it!
>>>> I’m happy with a not perfect version!
>>>> I only want to know is it strong enough for one to stand on to get up
>> on the luggage rack or rear of bus?
>>>> My stock one on the front wants to bend if I try to step up on it.
>>>>
>>>> I’m blind, but why paint? Would brushed or polished aluminum stand up
>> without need of touch ups?
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>>> On Aug 2, 2022, at 11:08 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Four years :-)
>>>>>
>>>>> Well , since I measured the stock bumper and drew first model .
>>>>>
>>>>> Then this spring I had bumper 3D scanned. More or less fit my measured
>> model.
>>>>>
>>>>> Then more computer modelling , time wasting .
>>>>>
>>>>> The main part of the bumper is quite fast. Cnc router cut panels, 3,
>> then held in curve on a jig, top and bottom plates tacked on. Then full
>> weld. I tig welded this one, but I’d mig the next.
>>>>>
>>>>> Router a chamfer on top weld, flap disc grind the bottom weld to blend.
>>>>>
>>>>> It was the endcaps that took the most time. I have I think four failed
>> versions. Flat pattern cnc cut, then brake press to bend, then a front face
>> and a wee little rear face welded. Grind and blend etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> Now that the endcaps figured out, not so bad , or slow .
>>>>>
>>>>> So all the hard work done. I’d say less than 4 hours to make one , not
>> counting cnc machine cut time .
>>>>>
>>>>> Ab
>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Aug 2, 2022, at 7:59 AM, Stacy Schneider <vwcrewman@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That is really nice, you must have 40 hours in it?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Stacy
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Tue, Aug 2, 2022 at 7:54 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>>>>>> Wanted something lighter than my previous and with no trailer hitch.
>> Trying to mimic the stock steel bumper.
>>>>>>> Got one made well enough to powder coat and use.
>>>>>>> https://shufti.blog/2022/08/01/vanagon-making-another-
>> aluminum-bumper/
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alistair
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> 1989 Swedish Tristar with Aluminum gates and Atiwe 16" Wheels.
>>>>>> Oldest son is an Eagle scout.
>>>>
>>
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