LocostUSA.com

How can you measure angles when building the frame? My idea was to use to sheet of wood and lay everything out on that. I could draw the bottom rail layout and just match everything up but for the other angles how do you guys measure them before tack welding and welding later? Surely not an everyday protractor lol.

Will

I bought a cheapish plastic angle Thing-a-ma-gig, from home depot (about 10 bucks), maked the angle on the metal and then cut it and remeassure it with the plastic angle Thing-a-ma-gig....Then trimmed/grinded as nessecary.

plastic angle Thing-a-ma-gig=Compass..angle finder...

_________________
I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

I'm talking about piecing together the frame once each tube is cut. How do you make sure that all the angles are correct?

Will

Digital protractor, the prices have come down a lot over the last few years.

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I am planning on using one of these for the 90 degree angles:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=94113

I might invest in this:

http://news.thomasnet.com/images/large/018/18140.jpg
Variable angle clamp
Company Information:
Name: Heck Industries, Inc.
Address: 1480 Old U.S. 23, S., P.O. Box 425
City: Hartland
State: MI
ZIP: 48353
Country: USA
Phone: 810-632-5400
FAX: 810-632-6640
http://www.heckind.com

This thing looks to have potential too:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=16442

What I'm going to try is cutting the tube on 3 sides and notching to allow the bend. In this way make 1 top rail and 1 bottom rail with a single small tack on the inside. With this done mark and notch 1 each and make the mate to each. Remember when you put it tog
ether the seams of the tubing must face the same way, I've decided they should face down, and you are making rails that are mirrors of each other. Starting at hthe back put the spreader bars in place getting the back lower rails paralell to each other and once they start closing down you can start tweaking based on measurements to the centerline.

Your examples are great but looking at your pictures how do you reproduce 116 degrees or 17 degrees or 47 degrees








All of these are under $1.00 on froggle....


1.66

http://www.onpapersupplies.com/images/RACM0797.JPG
1.77
I used something like this....



3.66

4.60ish
This is JUST what I used but in a 12 inch model and twice the price.....

I guess my only concern is when the angels fall into a range that aren't enumerated on your compass/protractor you have to guess alittle (or alot)...the pictures you listed didn't have a full range to suit my comfort level.

To each their own though....

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en ... &start=230


Digital protractor.....Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm? Sounds nice

_________________
I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

This is on McSorleys site but he dosn't say where it came from.

That Heck thing looks cool for clamping things into position, it should function like the thing on McSorley's site. To bad there web site doesn't seem to do anything.

I was planning on using one of those Heck type things to get it in the ballpark and clamp it. It would have to be adjusted after varifying the angle with a standard protractor/goneiometer before locking it in and welding.

*edit* Well looks like I will be changing my plans now that I know what one of those suckers costs. http://www.vansantent.com/welding_acces ... clamps.htm

yeah not worthit. better off finding something else

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2004 ZQ8 chevrolet colorado
1/2 lift 29"tires
coloradofans.com

Froggleing it
some of those digital protractors started at $100 and climbed upwards...

_________________
I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

I have seen those with regularity at Lowes, Home Depot, etc. They are readily avaialble.

you know which dept cuz i looked at lowes for somestuff yesterday and didnt see anything.

_________________
2004 ZQ8 chevrolet colorado
1/2 lift 29"tires
coloradofans.com

I the tool at both of them recently in the tools section. It is a fairly light duty angle thing. I have a big heavy one I got a pretty long time ago at my local welding supply place (Arcet if it is a chain or anything).