Project 2 from Undercut. Category: Custom Automotive

[undercut]

A customer approached me to create a steel enclosure that he could bolt to the inside of his SUV. He wanted it to look "beefy" but didn't want to spend too much on material nor my time.

Started out with a typical rectangle using angle steel:



I used square tube for the bars for each side to provide that beefy look.



Created a simple door that locks with a conventional padlock of the customer's choosing.



Having tremendous fun with my Everlast welder! Super reliable and consistent.

[Rambozo]

Out of curiosity, why not the square tube for the whole thing?

[sportbike]

Does the one end unbolt or something to be used as a "door"?


Definitely looks heavy duty.


Edit: Nevermind, I see that you posted about the padlock...I guess I need to read instead of just looking at the pictures...

[DaveO]

Did he mention what he plans to lock up? It's something big enough that it could not fit through the gaps between the square tubes- probably not small electric tools or hand tools, for instance. How does he plan to bolt it inside the SUV, I wonder? His problem, not yours, I know, just curious.

[Rambozo]

Did he mention what he plans to lock up?

???

[undercut]

???

What in the world is that!

Did he mention what he plans to lock up? It's something big enough that it could not fit through the gaps between the square tubes- probably not small electric tools or hand tools, for instance. How does he plan to bolt it inside the SUV, I wonder? His problem, not yours, I know, just curious.

He was very specific about the maximum distance any two bars could be from each other so I had to work within his specs.

Does the one end unbolt or something to be used as a "door"?

"As little money as possible" was the primary driver so I didn't even use a hinge for the door. The door slides into grooves and will held in the grooves by the padlock. And, no worries, I'm a pictures type of guy too.

Out of curiosity, why not the square tube for the whole thing?

I've only got the angle grinder with a cutting wheel at the moment so I'm working around miter cuts. Besides, I saved some labor by using the angle on the outside and welding the tube to the angles and not worry as much about super precise measuring and cuts. Oh, and the angle steel was cheaper than the tube but from the side, it has a wider profile to add to the beefiness and to fill some space so that I wouldn't have to use as much steel. Couldn't use flat steel (1/8") for the bars as they bend too easily across such a large gap.

[zoama]

What in the world is that!

It's a tasmanian devil, native to Australia.

[EchoSixMike]

So you're using the 185Micro for SMAW? How's that working? They(EL) change it so it's a small multivoltage 200? S/F....Ken M

[undercut]

I bought my 185 well loved (used) but in excellent condition. Everything was in "like-new" condition (except for the electrode holder which looked like someone had stepped on it and cracked it).

It is a field test model and was designed with stick capability - ie, under stick, the welding voltages are higher than when TIG. It's an excellent machine and I love the dual voltage. I'm welding thinner steel and everything I've done so far has been with 110v. My dryer plug is on the other side of the house so 110v capability has been fantastic for me.

All of my projects so far have been with stick. With a bit of money in my pocket from my projects, I'm debating whether to buy my argon tank now or wait until spring. I can't weld indoors so I'm a bit vulnerable to the northwest weather. The arc under stick is sooooo smooth - I can't wait to start to TIG. The 185 has an impressive range of AC frequency and AC balance. I don't feel like I've sacrificed anything when I'm viewing Jody's tips on aluminum welding techniques.