"Karl Townsend" wrote

I've built my own on the last four pickups and last three cars. I'm sure
mine are a bit heavier cause I look at what can be purchased and then use
the same design ideas but with stronger steel sections.

all my machine purchases with SWMBO by pointing out how all the stuff like
this has been self fabricated and is better and cheaper.

Karl

P.S. I'm sure we'll get somebody that says its way to dangerous to make
your own.

You'll put yer eye out, kid! ;-)

I went to buy a trailer for my ATVs. I had to reject several before I found
one that passed welding inspection. Most of the stuff that's for sale out
there from people who should know better is crap. Lousy welds. Missing
welds, etc.

I KNOW that I can put together a hitch that is the same type as what can be
bought. Difference is mine is welded by ME, who can pass a welding
certification test any day of the week. The weld will have 70,000 #
strength. It will be a low hydrogen weld, and not FCAW that was done by
some twentysomething monkey with a quota.

As to the homebuilt liability issue, how can it be established who built it?
Besides, if you do it right, it will be stronger than it needs to be, and
anything that will destroy it would be catastrophic in nature, and nothing
that one could be held liable for.

And, if one is not confident in their own welding or talents, they should
NOT be considering doing such a project. If you're an experienced or
certified welder, you know you can burn it in there, and it's going to
stick. You know this because you've done it thousands of times. So, unless
you have that level of ability, confidence and experience, it would be
better to buy. Even though a lot of what's out there for sale is crap.

Steve