Welding a bumper

rockfla

rockfla

Well-known member
Anyone welded on a "original" Ford bumper?? IF so what wire/rod did you use?? Anything special?? A 35/36 in particular
 
Nothing special, all I have ever used for TIG /MIG or Gas welding is ER70S carbon steel weld wire.
 
Last edited:
51 MERC-CT said:
Nothing special, all I have ever used for TIG /MIG or Gas welding is ER70S carbon steel weld wire.
Click to expand...
I figured the "original" bumpers would be more of a "spring type" steel? I have an "easy grind" .025 general purpose steel wire in my rig now, I just didn't want my "fill welds" popping off!!!
 
rockfla said:
I figured the "original" bumpers would be more of a "spring type" steel? I have an "easy grind" .025 general purpose steel wire in my rig now, I just didn't want my "fill welds" popping off!!!
Click to expand...
Definitely not spring steel.
Only thing to consider is removal of chrome plating in the area of the weld.
 
I assume your going to have it chromed? If so, weld it up but don’t try to grind it down before taking it in, let the chrome shop do it. If you’re going to paint it then get after it.
 
Baggs said:
I assume your going to have it chromed? If so, weld it up but don’t try to grind it down before taking it in, let the chrome shop do it. If you’re going to paint it then get after it.
Click to expand...
I have an old bumper that most all the chrome is off of that I need to fill in the two rabbited feature lines in and make it smooth........SO was gonna spot weld an inch or two and move and wait awhile before continuing along the whole bumper as not to build up too much heat. Taking to a "potential" chrome shop for grinding is near impossible for me as there in not a "good" chromer within 8 hours drive of me SO.......ANYWAY I'll start by welding them in first!!!


Thanks for everyone's input!!!!
 
Last edited:
rockfla said:
I have an old bumper that most all the chrome is off of that I need to fill in the two rabbited feature lines in and make it smooth........SO was gonna spot weld an inch or two and move and wait awhile before continuing along the whole bumper as not to build up too much heat. Taking to a "potential" chrome shop for grinding is near impossible for me as there in not a "good" chromer within 8 hours drive of me SO.......ANYWAY I'll start by welding them in first!!!


Thanks for everyone's input!!!!
Click to expand...

There ya go. Weld it with what you have and paint it up. It’s not like it’s going to do much help in a crash;)
 
rockfla said:
I figured the "original" bumpers would be more of a "spring type" steel? I have an "easy grind" .025 general purpose steel wire in my rig now, I just didn't want my "fill welds" popping off!!!
Click to expand...

Vee out both sides of the joint and remove the chrom for 1/2" on
all 4 sides of the weld areas. I would preheat the weld areas.Tack weld
the bumper together and thin down the tacked area with a grinder'
Position the pumper so you are welding down hill at at a little better
than a 45 degree angle. Weld and grind smooth. I think if you heat
the welded area to cherry red and quinch in ice cold water it will
have the spring back in it. Use MIG G.M.
 
Make sure you grind off all the old chrome before you weld it. Use a respirator for both the grinding and welding as chromium can be harmful if inhaled.
 
G.M. said:
I think if you heat
the welded area to cherry red and quinch in ice cold water it will
have the spring back in it. Use MIG G.M.
Click to expand...
The bumpers are not spring steel but are malleable.
Any heating and quenching will induce an unwanted embrittlement and cause shrinking.
 
34PKUP said:
The bumpers are not spring steel but are malleable.
Any heating and quenching will induce an unwanted embrittlement and cause shrinking.
Click to expand...
Yep' the only thing I ever do is heat the weld area to a dull cherry red and let air cool to normalize the weld. (but not always)
 
Ok so I read this post and start working on my 1939 bumper and it shattered. My bumper has extra holes where something was bolted on. Before welding up the holes I put it in the press to push a dent out and the bumper shattered like I was trying to bend glass.
YMMV but it seems this bumper is very brittle so now I have to weld it back together but in my experience with steel like this (bed frame angle iron) it will crack right at the weld.
Do I persist of try and find another bumper?
 
I have always thought bumpers are spring steel, and don't take kindly to welding. Like welding a leaf spring, usually breaks. perhaps heat it cherry red first to take out the hardness.
 
The bumpers through at least through the 1936 variety are definitely spring steel. That's why they are a challenge to straighten once bent.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top