Cab work

[mjensen]

By the end of this week, my cab will be at the 'blasters

I'm going to need to replace the rockers, pieces of the floor, and cab corners. My question is what tools are an absolute necessity to make aligning the pieces easy (or easier)? Are there items that you just can't do a job like this without?

TIA
Mike

[dfwright]

are you going to make the repairs before or after the cab goes for blasting?

[mjensen]

My plan is to do it after it comes back. That way I have a good idea of what needs to be replaced after the blaster "knocks" all the holes in it

[ebfabman]

............"absolute necessity "...... I use a welder a hammer and a screwdriver. If you don't have a hammer and a screwdriver, blocks of wood work good too. But you can't do without a welder.....

[dfwright]

Thanks, Sorry to steal the direction of your thread. I also am looking forward to hearing what tools are recommended for the job. I've read about Clecos, and I've also seen some recommend some special butt-weld clamps, that I can't recall the name of right now.

I have a bunch of strong magnets out of harddrives I was saving, but I read the other day on here about the magnets causing issues with the welding. I'll have to see if I can find that article again.

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by ebfabman

............"absolute necessity "...... I use a welder a hammer and a screwdriver. If you don't have a hammer and a screwdriver, blocks of wood work good too. But you can't do without a welder.....

Okay, well I knew about the welder What about the specialized tools like clamps...magnets...that sort of thing?

Thanks!

[dfwright]

Here is a link to the Eastwood butt-clamp kit that was mentioned to me.

Butt Weld Clamps & Backers Kit

[bigsnookmaster]

Originally Posted by dfwright

Thanks, Sorry to steal the direction of your thread. I also am looking forward to hearing what tools are recommended for the job. I've read about Clecos, and I've also seen some recommend some special butt-weld clamps, that I can't recall the name of right now.

I have a bunch of strong magnets out of harddrives I was saving, but I read the other day on here about the magnets causing issues with the welding. I'll have to see if I can find that article again.

Clecos are excellet,an investment you will use again. Yes, magnets do affect the weld if you weld next to them, but the farther you get away,the less they affect them.My .02

[dfwright]

Here's a good article I had saved on holding panels for welding

Holding Patch Panels

[tim21391]

harbor freight has some nice butt weld clamps for 5 bucks they are way worth it they pay for themselves i guarentee it.. that and some c clamps is what i used

[69lemans]

Get some of those sheet metal screws with the point thats made like a drill bit and they drill there own holes

http://www.boltdepot.com/product.asp...49&cm=7&cd=592

[mbgmike]

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

Clecos are excellet,an investment you will use again. Yes, magnets do affect the weld if you weld next to them, but the farther you get away,the less they affect them.My .02

I agree

We use magnets all the time when welding No big deal. Welding can actually magnitize the steel. You De-Gauze the parts afterwords. They do entire ships to remove the magnitism. While its true that the closer you get it will affect the arc but I would not let that stop you from using them.
Try it and you will see how close you can get.

[STOCKISH]

Originally Posted by 69lemans

Get some of those sheet metal screws with the point thats made like a drill bit and they drill there own holes

http://www.boltdepot.com/product.asp...49&cm=7&cd=592

I hope that's a joke.

[chas350]

A good 4.5" grinder with flap disc's. An angle die grinder with cutting discs and 3" roloc holder/discs. Cleco's and interpanel clamps. Lots of visegrip type c clamps. Tin snips, scratch awl or scribe, sharpie, hammer and metal working dolly, small stainless wire wheel to clean metal real good before and during welding, a welding hat or bb cap to keep all the crap out of your hair when grinding/cutting, a decent dust mask rated for welding, safety glasses, gloves, .23 mig wire and gas, cab dolly, a small shop seat with caster wheels, drill and bits, spot weld cutter, lots of work lights.
This should get you started lol. Having the right tools makes all the difference, and what the heck, who doesn't want more tools anyway? Or at least an excuse to buy more!

[mjensen]

This is great info!!! Thanks, and you can never have too many tools