Welding Tips and Tricks

Customer required a custom design rear drawer system for a 4WD, had specific size needs.

I preferred to make it from aluminium, but customer wanted steel, so that they can add brackets to it later, if required

great fab work excellent job!
have you built many of these?
you will have one happy customer.
craig

Thanks Craig for the comments
I've built a few. This guy saw one I made for myself and wanted one custom made for his truck. I'd reckon he'll be pretty happy with it.
Trev

Very good indeed
Looks like there would be a use for them in many various applications.

What does the marking plate says, your company?

Hi Anders
Thanks for the reply
Yes, the marking plate is our company. Never miss an opportunity to advertise, eh?

That will come in handy! Looks great! 10/10

Trev
are those draw sides and partitions solid?
nice draw faces does your company make them?
craig

motox wrote:Trev
are those draw sides and partitions solid?
nice draw faces does your company make them?
craig

Hi Craig

The drawer sides are folded from 0.062" aluminum sheet in a 'U' form, with a 1/2" return at the top for rigidity

I cut and folded everything. There's front and back 'ends' that are folded at the edges and attached to each end of the main drawer body of the drawer by pop rivets (did I just hear everyone scream = "Pop Rivets - Oh No!" ?)

Then there's a larger (overlapped) drawer face plate (also cut from 0.062" sheet) which is riveted to the front face with dress rivets. It has the trim around the edges, and the latch mechanism installed.

There are outside panels that have a diagonal 'X' fold for rigidity. These are screwed to the sides and rear of the angle iron frame.

To hold the partitions, I cut and folded two aluminum 'L' brackets of unequal sizes (a small 'L' and a big 'L'), and overlapped them and riveted them to the sides. This way, the edges of the inside and outside 'L' brackets are all flush but the appropriate gap sits between them for the partitions to slide vertically in between them.
I hope this covers the questions, let me know if I can help further

Trev

trev
thanks and don't shutter at rivets or rivnuts.
its easy and practical to attach alum to steel with either.
i use them all the time as well as aircraft rivets.
craig

motox wrote:trev
thanks and don't shutter at rivets or rivnuts.
its easy and practical to attach alum to steel with either.
i use them all the time as well as aircraft rivets.
craig

My Uncle worked for United Shoe Machine in Connecticut when they introduced the Pop Rivet. I'm well familiar. What are rivnuts?

Re: Rivnuts

I'm pretty sure they are the same as what we call Nutserts

TRACKRANGER wrote:Customer required a custom design rear drawer system for a 4WD, had specific size needs.

I preferred to make it from aluminium, but customer wanted steel, so that they can add brackets to it later, if required

That's top-drawer work! (No pun intended.)

Steve S

Thanks Steve, comments appreciated!

TRACKRANGER wrote:Thanks Steve, comments appreciated!

On reflection, the pun WAS intended.

That's simply great work. A lot of thought and planning, executed with quality hardware, and a high level of craftsmanship. My hat's off, sir!

Steve S