Good job on your videos, you show what can be done with basic tooling if you know what your doing. I'm 56 years old and still learned alot from your techniques. keep up your positive influence.
This channel deserves way more subscribers than it currently has, keep the good work! I really enjoy every video and also learn something new, thanks:)
Hope to learn to do all of this in the future. Didn't have a shop class in high school but have always been into cars and building things. Your videos are very inspirational, and I appreciate the time you put in to film and share what you know. Appreciate it! -Ethan
+efitter7 Thanks, Ethan. Where there's a will, there's a way. I never had a High School shop class either. I probably would have had a smoother start into the industry if I did though haha.
Just wanted to come back and say I built mine today using same style for the bracket for mounting and that tip for notching the pipes was so clutch. My 1st was okay then the rest were perfectly notched!
Yes this guy is the bob ross of car fabrication. Very well all of your vids are on point an informative. Thks a lot I feel like I’m an expert after watching your vids
When I make a "tower brace" I use three plates, one at the center of the firewall and one on top of each shock tower. I connect the two shock towers with a brace directly across the engine bay from tower to tower and connect both towers to the center of the firewall. I have it arranged so that I only need to remove three bolts to completely remove the brace. This design maximizes rigidity at the (very) small additional effort of requiring removal of the three fasteners to do major work.
this is the second video ive watched on this channel and its already my favorite channel on youtube. im not exaggerating either this is exactly the content i look for every day. as a fabricator having this to learn tricks and tips and shit is fucking awesome.
Very grateful for your sharing your skill. We're blessed to have someone willing to teach. Liked how it drew from your pipe notching video and showed the applied technique. Again thank you for this kindness of sharing. Aloha
Your skills are obvious, there's a lot to learn here. However, the radio voice and effortless delivery must be natural you sound like everybody's favourite uncle.
I really love your osd. I live with the same sickness😂 Great for fabrication. You have taught me so much. I watch all your vids more than once. God bless you brother. Keep up the great work.
I am going to be making one soon and this was very helpful. Those tube mounts are genius and saved me from trying to cut a circular or semi circle plate mount for it without a cnc or plasma cutter. Also lots of good info for the angle cuts and notches.
This just popped up into my recommended section and now I subscribed to you, I love metal work and I want to get better, and you're a huge inspiration! Been doing some maintainance welding at work, but no fabrication.. Have asked my supervisor if I can have a few days together with the welders at work to get some tips and tricks from them :D
+rotaxmax3 Thanks for checking the vids out and subscribing! Good luck on working up into fabrication. It takes a lot of dedication and will to learn. If you need any advice or tips along the way, drop me a line and I'll do my best to answer.
These videos are incredibly informitive and awesome. You do fantastic looking work also! Thank you for doing this. You inspire me to buy the tools and do my own work.
so then...now the rest of the car needs to match the level of finish in the front end. He's gonna have to get one of your cages ASAP so it doesn't look awkward haha... Thanks for sharing your method through these videos. So many great tips and tricks and you're doing a great job of presenting it all. You'd make a good teacher. Peace out
This tower strut fabrication tops them all. Besides looking great, I'm sure performs better. It's truly well explained fun stuff. I missed the part about cylinders how they tie the nuts that hold it all in place. Also the gusset plate pieces with holes no link, Please provide. BUT great detail overall, cool cool video.
Great video. Are you using a high frequency start tig welder for auto fabrication. If so does it affect any of the electronics on the car, such as ECM, radio, computer, etc.? Do you disconnect battery? I have been told that using a HF tig welder can damage electronic and computer auto parts. I am just starting out welding on autos as a hobby and have heard different stories. Your experience would be greatly appreciated.
+Glenn Taylor Yes, this is a HF start TIG. It is the Miller Diversion 180. There are a lot of beliefs that a welder will screw up electronics, but I have only heard the same stories (never had a problem personally). Electricity takes the path of least resistance. It doesn't travel to find components to fry along the way unless you intentionally ground it to an electronic component or that component is in the direct path/only path (which there is still no guarantee it will or will not happen then). If you would like to be extra safe about it, disconnect the battery. The battery was out throughout this whole build,
hi man! i'm gonna be spending hours on your channel :) just discovered this by accident and immediately subscribed :) greetings from Belgium , Europe S-chassis worldwide!
Nice to see someone who can actually weld, most of the videos I watch on RUclips when someone is either mig or Tig welding there welds look like shit and I don't think there getting the proper penetration for the welds to even stick
Dude. I love your videos. I have an honest question about this particular strut brace. As a guy buying a strut brace that's small and lightweight and stylized to look all state of the art. Is there any benefit to a tube one as thick as this? Is it cheaper or more lightweight and rigid. I'm sure time wise if it's economic or something that is higher performance. Obviously you're a great fabrication guy and that's not what I'm questioning at all. I've learned allot here and in my buddies shop but haven't done it myself. I bought my first project car and am debating buying the tools to do it myself to learn on or hiring someone to do it for me. Welder alone is a big investment. So yeah. Is there a benefit of a fabricated one like this over what can be made
Hey my dude, just wanted to know what brand of pipe bender that is and where you got it! I've never used a pipe bender before, all my fabrication has been on sheet metal, but I want to get into this. What information can you give me to help me get the right pipe bender?
Bro!!! I've been looking for a channel like this. You have no idea. I've always wanted to do some fabrication on my FC3s bought a tig and I'm ready, just needed someone to teach me. Now I need to buy a bender. What are some tip on buying a bender?
+The Fabricator what is the name of the bender again becuse you put down the name a blender and not a bender and also would like to know which bender you use
Ya know.... You caught me haha. I read that comment before my coffee kicked in this morning and I guess I must have seen an L in there. I apologize. The bender is by JD Squared and is the Model 3, but if you want to make a really awesome smoothie..... get the Oster haha.
Lol, I was talking to my buddy when I got the answer and said, I think he saw an L on the bender, i only realized that after I copy and paste your model on google and saw a whole bunch of blenders..lol
Love your work comprehensive information. I do have one constructive thing. When you got to different chapters and the music plays and I think the beginning. The db level is high. Presents a problem if others in the other room and at night if everyone is as a sleep. Keep these up very much enjoyed this episode.
Great channel . You do a very good job of working through your projects and the editing of the content. Tons of stuff to be learned in every video that I have watched. I have a question. Do you every attach the strut brace to the firewall to add more stiffness to the installation.If not why? Thanks for sharing .
+Mike Chimko Triangulation is a popular method, but there simply wasn't a need for it in this design. There are a whole bunch of variables that contribute to the function and rigidity of a strut tower bar design. Some of them will benefit from triangulation, some of them are mere decoration.
Love your work and your videos. This is exactly what I want to build for my car. Plus ive designed a rear strut bar aswell for my car. Im currently saving up for a pipe bender, mig welder and at some point a tig welder. Ive build a enclosed shop at my house inside the back of the garage. The only part of this video that I think will give me a little trouble is the proper notching of the pipes and getting that all lined up correctly. Where abouts are you located by the way? thanks again
+name less Thank you. I am in Las Vegas, NV. Lining up the tubes for nothing is actually pretty simple once you ahve a little practice. The best way to get practice is to build small tube pieces much like what was built in the Tube Notching Video.
I know this is mad old, but how much welding splatter got on that windshield from the MIG? I totally ruined the back window on one of my cars. great video and tech info.
The Algorithm pointed me here having watched a whole bunch of your recent (2020) videos .. you've come so far, do you even remember working in a tiny garage? ;) Though I must say, it is great to see a small garage with basic tools can turn out good work! Jealous of that tube bender though, any make/model I can Google up?
was a bit skeptical about the video titles and icons but onve I actuslly gave your vids a watch I couldnt help but click subscribe lol! fucking absolutely outstanding craftsmanship and metal work skills, keep the vids coming!
Thanks for the sub! For future reference, all of my video icons feature the actual work being done in the video. I don't fill them up with stock footage of someone else's attention grabber.
outstanding, I'm getting all my tools together and I'm wondering where you get, and what those protractors you're using are called. I tried Amazon and got the typical "office related" results. When I get my gussets from I heart gussets, I'll be sure to tell them you sent me. Keep at it man the potential for this channel is huge. I'm off to learn how to build a time attack cage!!
Protractors like these are often called "angle finders" and can be bought at just about any hardware store. I often use another protractor/angle finder with a magnetic base which is also available at local hardware stores.
+The Fabricator I've found an app called Spirit Level for free that can level and find all the angles to a 10th of a degree using a cell phone. It works great and it tells you the numbers. I put up 3 railings up 3 sets of stairs using it and a closet shelf with pole all in less than an hour for all. Just make sure you are using a flat side of the phone. More accurate than closing an eye trying to see where the bubble is. great channel by the way. 1st time visitor I think I've spent an hour and a half watching you fabricate stuff. I subbed.
PGTMR2 Thanks for the sub! I have a digital protractor on my phone which works well except the buttons on the side of my phone will throw the angle off a bit. It's good for general references.
My buttons can get in the way too, so I just have to check for that. Certainly easier than carrying around a level. It's also handy when someone is scrutinizing your work in a crooked room, and your work is straight, but the tile or drywall guy was a little off.
They do not flex in the direction I assume you are referring to. Check out the Build Blog for load clarification. thefabricatorseries.com/build-blogs//video-how-to-build-a-custom-strut-tower-brace
Beautiful work! work. Subscribed, & will recommend to several friends also interested in this skill... Question. Why no triangulation and tie in to a 3rd hardpoint on the Firewall for maximum support? On most firewalls the natural spot to mount it has little to no real support due to wiper channels. I had this issue,...I fabbed up an alloy bracket that mounted inside the windshield wiper channel to provide actual support tied across into the main cabin shell as well... wondering why you decided not to go that route
+Edwrd Grando Triangulation is a popular method, but there simply wasn't a need for it in this design. Between the tube front and the strut tower to firewall gussets, triangulation would have been nothing more than a decoration. To an otherwise un-modified car, triangulation will often be a better design, but that must be calculated in order to determine if that is the proper design. The design of the tower itself also plays a major roll. A very rigid design (no adjustment or pivot points) will almost negate the need for triangulation completely, whereas any point of adjustment will often flex or become a hinge to the load (depending on placement). The firewall integrity (or thickness of the sheet metal) will also determine if triangulation will be best. If the firewall sheet metal dramatically flexes under load at the mounting point, it almost eliminates the purpose and function of a triangulated design. These are just a few variables in the designs.
Gotta Question, How much does a full roll cage cost you in tubing on something like this, I plan on doing a Cage in my K5 Blazer. This has been some great Videos, and it has explained many questions I had about building a cage
+The Fabricator just found your channel, only a couple episodes in on the rollcage build. I want to get into fab work again. i wanted to ask what kind of tube bender do you have? looks good.
+Hamdan Ahmed There is a particular look I would like. Structurally, there isn't much difference between the TIG tack weld and the MIG for these pieces. I want to have a large weld visible on all the sheet metal and gussets.
Great video. I'd like to know how you mount a custom strut tower all together. I want to do a MR swap into a hatch or small truck or something. I don't know how to fab the strut tower itself. Do you compress the spring to ride height, and then measure from that? Or is there some other method? Should the strut lean forward or backward by any certain degree? Or should it be mostly vertical (aside from tilting in)?
Unfortunately I can't answer all of this unless you understand the engineering behind it. That takes formal training to learn. It's not something as simple as picking a point and angle.
+Adam Klein There are a few variables to answer that with. The "difference" will be left up to you to decide, but the type of bar, the design of it, the design of your chassis vs. the part itself, and the material construction will determine how well it works and how much you feel. Just about every one installed seems to make a noticeable difference (even the cheap/bargain models). A higher quality model, or a custom engineered and built model will produce the best results, and will often create the biggest noticeable difference.
What size tube did you use for this brace? OD and wall thickness please. I'm planning on making one for the rear of my race car and am thinking of using 1" or 3/4" OD tube. I think the thickest wall thickness available for either is .0625" which should be fine. I'm curious as to your methodology of material selection. Unless you have an entire car in CAD and can some how simulate dynamic forces it's essentially shooting darts at a wall I would assume. Anyway thanks for the input love the channel. I appreciate you sharing the knowledge you've acquired through your endeavors.
+CRAMOSinnovations I don't provide that info. It requires calculation and planning. Not all of it is done with software. Simple calculations can be used once you learn them which takes many years (also why I don't give the info out).
I did ornamental Iron work for 6 years so, when I saw what strut braces cost, I said to myself. Man, all I've got to do is buy a welder and I'm in business. If you make it pretty, you can sell them too.
Great job and looks beautiful, but I suppose, it is much heavier than the old aluminium one, which still does the job. Didn't you think about it this way?
+Андрей Студенцов The weight difference is not that much since the aluminum needs to be thicker than the steel in order to have the same strength as the steel. Weight is not always a bad thing either. Every little bit does count, but you can always compensate in other areas. The biggest difference between the two (and what makes this design superior to the aluminum) is the elimination of the useless pivot point at the mount.
Good job on your videos, you show what can be done with basic tooling if you know what your doing. I'm 56 years old and still learned alot from your techniques. keep up your positive influence.
+Adolf Gibbs I am always pleased to know there are viewers from all over and generations that find the info useful. Thank you for your comment!
deserves so many views.
This channel deserves way more subscribers than it currently has, keep the good work! I really enjoy every video and also learn something new, thanks:)
Made me look, made me subscribe, how i hadn't i don't know, i feel i know him watching that many vids.
Hope to learn to do all of this in the future. Didn't have a shop class in high school but have always been into cars and building things. Your videos are very inspirational, and I appreciate the time you put in to film and share what you know. Appreciate it!
-Ethan
+efitter7 Thanks, Ethan. Where there's a will, there's a way. I never had a High School shop class either. I probably would have had a smoother start into the industry if I did though haha.
You have offered up a priceless amount of fab education in this video.
Hands down the best car modification and fabrication series on RUclips, very inspirational. Thank you for your hard work and information!
this outshines all other car channels youtube.
Thank you!
Hey man, just came across your channel. Absolutely love it. Subbed!
+Kalvin Malli (ThatBurgundy240) Awesome. Thanks for watching!
+The Fabricator Could you make one for my Miata? Same exact design? If so, what's your email..
By far the dopest Fabrication, instructional, car, DIY channel on youtube. Dope Skills!! Keep up with the good work. You're amazing!!
Thanks for watching!
Just wanted to come back and say I built mine today using same style for the bracket for mounting and that tip for notching the pipes was so clutch. My 1st was okay then the rest were perfectly notched!
Yes this guy is the bob ross of car fabrication. Very well all of your vids are on point an informative. Thks a lot I feel like I’m an expert after watching your vids
When I make a "tower brace" I use three plates, one at the center of the firewall and one on top of each shock tower. I connect the two shock towers with a brace directly across the engine bay from tower to tower and connect both towers to the center of the firewall. I have it arranged so that I only need to remove three bolts to completely remove the brace. This design maximizes rigidity at the (very) small additional effort of requiring removal of the three fasteners to do major work.
this is the second video ive watched on this channel and its already my favorite channel on youtube. im not exaggerating either this is exactly the content i look for every day. as a fabricator having this to learn tricks and tips and shit is fucking awesome.
+jameswoodsist Awesome! Thanks for watching!
Very grateful for your sharing your skill. We're blessed to have someone willing to teach. Liked how it drew from your pipe notching video and showed the applied technique. Again thank you for this kindness of sharing. Aloha
+Waiakalulu You're welcome! Thanks for watching!
Your skills are obvious, there's a lot to learn here. However, the radio voice and effortless delivery must be natural you sound like everybody's favourite uncle.
I really love your osd.
I live with the same sickness😂
Great for fabrication.
You have taught me so much.
I watch all your vids more than once.
God bless you brother.
Keep up the great work.
Absolutely beautiful fabrication work. You're an artist in your field.
Thanks!
Definitely one of my favorite videos. Your skill-set and ability to share what you're doing so clearly is amazing. Thanks so much man!
I am going to be making one soon and this was very helpful. Those tube mounts are genius and saved me from trying to cut a circular or semi circle plate mount for it without a cnc or plasma cutter. Also lots of good info for the angle cuts and notches.
This just popped up into my recommended section and now I subscribed to you, I love metal work and I want to get better, and you're a huge inspiration! Been doing some maintainance welding at work, but no fabrication.. Have asked my supervisor if I can have a few days together with the welders at work to get some tips and tricks from them :D
+rotaxmax3 Thanks for checking the vids out and subscribing! Good luck on working up into fabrication. It takes a lot of dedication and will to learn. If you need any advice or tips along the way, drop me a line and I'll do my best to answer.
I have been watching your videos I came across your channel I don't know how long ago I finally had to subscribe dude this is freaking amazing
bro i gotta give you props you have some kinda unreal god like fab skill man and its dope u shareing some of that on here!
That looks so strong compared to what aftermarket companies put out. Good vid
Greatest RUclips channel ever.
+Lincoln Retallack Thank you!
These videos are incredibly informitive and awesome. You do fantastic looking work also! Thank you for doing this. You inspire me to buy the tools and do my own work.
Clear and concise instructions, well made video, with heaps of helpful tips. Thanks for the effort gone into making these videos!
+mossimopooky Thanks for watching!
This channel is the holy grail of info!
+Chris Lee Images Awesome!
so then...now the rest of the car needs to match the level of finish in the front end. He's gonna have to get one of your cages ASAP so it doesn't look awkward haha... Thanks for sharing your method through these videos. So many great tips and tricks and you're doing a great job of presenting it all. You'd make a good teacher. Peace out
+papapetad Thank you!
you're awesome. I just learned about material growth and bend allowances and you get them on the money without using k-charts and all.
+Dwayne Yarbrough Thank you!
Outstanding video. Now I think I need to make one of these for my 2010 Charger. Thanks for posting this.
No prob. Good luck on the build!
This looks like a project i might try this summer! brilliant video!
Few people are truely teachers. You sir, are awesome!
Damn. This is beyond impressive. Nice.
What can you tell us about the efficacy of your crush zones with all that bracing?
fabrication methods described here don't only apply to strut towers. great video!
+joefriday1982 Very true. I wish there was enough time for me to demonstrate everything haha. Thanks for watching!
+The Fabricator thank you for taking the time to teach the folks on the interwebs! :)
Hey The Fabricator!! Cool build !! Great stuff !! keep em coming!! Cheers
This was a great video. I feel a lot more confident being able to weld up my own with my everlast now. He did a great job on this one.
great projects brother. just found this channel and will be recommending to others
+Kelly Gibson Thank you!
I like the mounting concept. Good job bud
Thank you!
This tower strut fabrication tops them all. Besides looking great, I'm sure performs better. It's truly well explained fun stuff. I missed the part about cylinders how they tie the nuts that hold it all in place. Also the gusset plate pieces with holes no link, Please provide. BUT great detail overall, cool cool video.
Great video. Are you using a high frequency start tig welder for auto fabrication. If so does it affect any of the electronics on the car, such as ECM, radio, computer, etc.? Do you disconnect battery? I have been told that using a HF tig welder can damage electronic and computer auto parts. I am just starting out welding on autos as a hobby and have heard different stories. Your experience would be greatly appreciated.
+Glenn Taylor Yes, this is a HF start TIG. It is the Miller Diversion 180. There are a lot of beliefs that a welder will screw up electronics, but I have only heard the same stories (never had a problem personally). Electricity takes the path of least resistance. It doesn't travel to find components to fry along the way unless you intentionally ground it to an electronic component or that component is in the direct path/only path (which there is still no guarantee it will or will not happen then). If you would like to be extra safe about it, disconnect the battery. The battery was out throughout this whole build,
hi man! i'm gonna be spending hours on your channel :) just discovered this by accident and immediately subscribed :)
greetings from Belgium , Europe
S-chassis worldwide!
+C0UNTERCLOCKWISE Awesome!
beautifull video i love it . one question what metal is that
That's a beautiful piece. I wanna give this a try sometime
+christians131 Go for it! Let me know how it turn out.
Nice to see someone who can actually weld, most of the videos I watch on RUclips when someone is either mig or Tig welding there welds look like shit and I don't think there getting the proper penetration for the welds to even stick
The work on your s13 is truly drool worthy
Thanks!
3rd video in without skipping ahead. I think it's time to sub. Awesome series!
👌Nice work, even if off the cuff. But, what would something like this cost if contracted to do so?
Dude. I love your videos. I have an honest question about this particular strut brace. As a guy buying a strut brace that's small and lightweight and stylized to look all state of the art. Is there any benefit to a tube one as thick as this? Is it cheaper or more lightweight and rigid. I'm sure time wise if it's economic or something that is higher performance.
Obviously you're a great fabrication guy and that's not what I'm questioning at all. I've learned allot here and in my buddies shop but haven't done it myself. I bought my first project car and am debating buying the tools to do it myself to learn on or hiring someone to do it for me. Welder alone is a big investment.
So yeah. Is there a benefit of a fabricated one like this over what can be made
Great how to video! Now I just need to start accumulating the tools and equipment needed to duplicate for my own project...
+Paul Latt Right on! If you would like to hare your work, I'd like to see it.
Hey my dude, just wanted to know what brand of pipe bender that is and where you got it! I've never used a pipe bender before, all my fabrication has been on sheet metal, but I want to get into this. What information can you give me to help me get the right pipe bender?
i believe it is a JD SQUARED bender, as for the model i am unsure of that
excellent work bud, excellent work!
WOW this is extremely impressive
Thank you!
Bro!!! I've been looking for a channel like this. You have no idea. I've always wanted to do some fabrication on my FC3s bought a tig and I'm ready, just needed someone to teach me. Now I need to buy a bender. What are some tip on buying a bender?
+fredo19 Actually, I do. The Oster Versa blender is one of the best ones I've ever used.
Lot's more fab videos to com in the future.
+The Fabricator what is the name of the bender again becuse you put down the name a blender and not a bender and also would like to know which bender you use
Ya know.... You caught me haha. I read that comment before my coffee kicked in this morning and I guess I must have seen an L in there. I apologize.
The bender is by JD Squared and is the Model 3, but if you want to make a really awesome smoothie..... get the Oster haha.
Lol, I was talking to my buddy when I got the answer and said, I think he saw an L on the bender, i only realized that after I copy and paste your model on google and saw a whole bunch of blenders..lol
Love your work comprehensive information. I do have one constructive thing. When you got to different chapters and the music plays and I think the beginning. The db level is high. Presents a problem if others in the other room and at night if everyone is as a sleep.
Keep these up very much enjoyed this episode.
I stopped doing that in Season 2. Thanks for watching!
You just earned another subscriber!
This is awesome great work man
This is so awesome! I can never afford my strut tower brace maybe i can make one now. Thanks
Very nice!!! im trying to learn metal fab as we speak. ur vids are amazingly helpful.
+NePdXploit Right on. Thanks for watching!
Great channel . You do a very good job of working through your projects and the editing of the content. Tons of stuff to be learned in every video that I have watched. I have a question. Do you every attach the strut brace to the firewall to add more stiffness to the installation.If not why? Thanks for sharing .
+Mike Chimko Triangulation is a popular method, but there simply wasn't a need for it in this design. There are a whole bunch of variables that contribute to the function and rigidity of a strut tower bar design. Some of them will benefit from triangulation, some of them are mere decoration.
+The Fabricator Thanks for your reply. keep up the good work.
Have a question. I am going to be working on a project this coming summer and wondering what type of tube bender is that.
Incredibly informative video, keep them coming! Subbed!
+MaxGentleman Thank you!
Love your work and your videos. This is exactly what I want to build for my car. Plus ive designed a rear strut bar aswell for my car. Im currently saving up for a pipe bender, mig welder and at some point a tig welder. Ive build a enclosed shop at my house inside the back of the garage.
The only part of this video that I think will give me a little trouble is the proper notching of the pipes and getting that all lined up correctly.
Where abouts are you located by the way?
thanks again
+name less Thank you. I am in Las Vegas, NV. Lining up the tubes for nothing is actually pretty simple once you ahve a little practice. The best way to get practice is to build small tube pieces much like what was built in the Tube Notching Video.
Great channel. I want to make a strut tower for my car with my powertig welder. Thanks for the great tips.
I know this is mad old, but how much welding splatter got on that windshield from the MIG? I totally ruined the back window on one of my cars. great video and tech info.
The Algorithm pointed me here having watched a whole bunch of your recent (2020) videos .. you've come so far, do you even remember working in a tiny garage? ;) Though I must say, it is great to see a small garage with basic tools can turn out good work! Jealous of that tube bender though, any make/model I can Google up?
was a bit skeptical about the video titles and icons but onve I actuslly gave your vids a watch I couldnt help but click subscribe lol!
fucking absolutely outstanding craftsmanship and metal work skills, keep the vids coming!
Thanks for the sub!
For future reference, all of my video icons feature the actual work being done in the video. I don't fill them up with stock footage of someone else's attention grabber.
yeah mate thats what I was supposed to say. let me re word, it looks like click bait but on a closer look its legit.
outstanding, I'm getting all my tools together and I'm wondering where you get, and what those protractors you're using are called. I tried Amazon and got the typical "office related" results.
When I get my gussets from I heart gussets, I'll be sure to tell them you sent me.
Keep at it man the potential for this channel is huge. I'm off to learn how to build a time attack cage!!
Protractors like these are often called "angle finders" and can be bought at just about any hardware store. I often use another protractor/angle finder with a magnetic base which is also available at local hardware stores.
+The Fabricator I've found an app called Spirit Level for free that can level and find all the angles to a 10th of a degree using a cell phone. It works great and it tells you the numbers. I put up 3 railings up 3 sets of stairs using it and a closet shelf with pole all in less than an hour for all. Just make sure you are using a flat side of the phone. More accurate than closing an eye trying to see where the bubble is. great channel by the way. 1st time visitor I think I've spent an hour and a half watching you fabricate stuff. I subbed.
PGTMR2 Thanks for the sub!
I have a digital protractor on my phone which works well except the buttons on the side of my phone will throw the angle off a bit. It's good for general references.
My buttons can get in the way too, so I just have to check for that. Certainly easier than carrying around a level. It's also handy when someone is scrutinizing your work in a crooked room, and your work is straight, but the tile or drywall guy was a little off.
awesome work! any chance you do comissions for old german cars?
Great video! I was wondering why didn't you box those side brackets for extra strength. Wouldn't they flex as they are?
They do not flex in the direction I assume you are referring to. Check out the Build Blog for load clarification.
thefabricatorseries.com/build-blogs//video-how-to-build-a-custom-strut-tower-brace
Excellent work sir !
+MrFireman164 Thanks! Nice to see you still watching the vids!
good job! trade secrets wish I wasn't so focused when it was out of focus got a little eye ache
Just watching this reminds me why we pay professional so much, well done
Beautiful work! work. Subscribed, & will recommend to several friends also interested in this skill... Question. Why no triangulation and tie in to a 3rd hardpoint on the Firewall for maximum support? On most firewalls the natural spot to mount it has little to no real support due to wiper channels. I had this issue,...I fabbed up an alloy bracket that mounted inside the windshield wiper channel to provide actual support tied across into the main cabin shell as well... wondering why you decided not to go that route
+Edwrd Grando Triangulation is a popular method, but there simply wasn't a need for it in this design. Between the tube front and the strut tower to firewall gussets, triangulation would have been nothing more than a decoration. To an otherwise un-modified car, triangulation will often be a better design, but that must be calculated in order to determine if that is the proper design.
The design of the tower itself also plays a major roll. A very rigid design (no adjustment or pivot points) will almost negate the need for triangulation completely, whereas any point of adjustment will often flex or become a hinge to the load (depending on placement). The firewall integrity (or thickness of the sheet metal) will also determine if triangulation will be best. If the firewall sheet metal dramatically flexes under load at the mounting point, it almost eliminates the purpose and function of a triangulated design. These are just a few variables in the designs.
Gotta Question, How much does a full roll cage cost you in tubing on something like this, I plan on doing a Cage in my K5 Blazer.
This has been some great Videos, and it has explained many questions I had about building a cage
Beautiful work. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Take a shot every time he says “ I heart dimple die plate” 🤠
A bit late covering the window screen... nice job btw ..
Just found this channel awesome work
Thank you! Please subscribe and share if you haven't done so already. Plenty more videos to come in the future.
+The Fabricator just found your channel, only a couple episodes in on the rollcage build. I want to get into fab work again. i wanted to ask what kind of tube bender do you have? looks good.
+The Fabricator nevermind just found out way down in the comments. keep up the great vids
Bro I can tell you’re in Colorado because of the KBPI sticker on your helmet Might have you make some of these in the future for me
Glad i found this video.. What's that welding machine you are using?
nvm found it
Why did you use the MIG for the gusset tack welds on the strut bar and tube front end, rather than just tacking them with the TIG
+Hamdan Ahmed There is a particular look I would like. Structurally, there isn't much difference between the TIG tack weld and the MIG for these pieces. I want to have a large weld visible on all the sheet metal and gussets.
Great video.
I'd like to know how you mount a custom strut tower all together. I want to do a MR swap into a hatch or small truck or something. I don't know how to fab the strut tower itself. Do you compress the spring to ride height, and then measure from that? Or is there some other method?
Should the strut lean forward or backward by any certain degree? Or should it be mostly vertical (aside from tilting in)?
Unfortunately I can't answer all of this unless you understand the engineering behind it. That takes formal training to learn. It's not something as simple as picking a point and angle.
Absolutely love your videos! Subscribed!
By the way, what saw are you using?
+Dimitry Mochkin Thank you!
The Chop Saw is a Dewalt D28715
Hi there, love the vid! What material grade is the tube? thanks!
awesome indepth explanation.
hey man.. i like what your doing over there.. you got talent
Thank you!
would you be able to do a custom front strut tower bar without the car being there ?
and how do i get in touch with you
will i notice a big difference in handling if i install one of these? i drive a 2004 bmw 325xi....cheers
+Adam Klein There are a few variables to answer that with. The "difference" will be left up to you to decide, but the type of bar, the design of it, the design of your chassis vs. the part itself, and the material construction will determine how well it works and how much you feel.
Just about every one installed seems to make a noticeable difference (even the cheap/bargain models). A higher quality model, or a custom engineered and built model will produce the best results, and will often create the biggest noticeable difference.
What size tube did you use for this brace?
OD and wall thickness please.
I'm planning on making one for the rear of my race car and am thinking of using 1" or 3/4" OD tube.
I think the thickest wall thickness available for either is .0625" which should be fine.
I'm curious as to your methodology of material selection.
Unless you have an entire car in CAD and can some how simulate dynamic forces it's essentially shooting darts at a wall I would assume.
Anyway thanks for the input love the channel.
I appreciate you sharing the knowledge you've acquired through your endeavors.
+CRAMOSinnovations I don't provide that info. It requires calculation and planning. Not all of it is done with software. Simple calculations can be used once you learn them which takes many years (also why I don't give the info out).
What are gussets for? Just aesthetics or added rigidity?
Your bender looks really great! Is it a homemade one?
+François-Xavier Wiart Not this one. This is a JD Squared Model 3 bender.
nice design. are the structures made of those 4130 chromoly tubes??
They are a combination of ERW and DOM. I did not use chromoly on this chassis.
thanks for making these vids .. really nice work
+tomgt smith My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
what material are you using? Also, what voltage are you running on the tig?
what is tWhat is the diameter of the tube?
How long did this front end take from start to finish. Thanks
I did ornamental Iron work for 6 years so, when I saw what strut braces cost, I said to myself. Man, all I've got to do is buy a welder and I'm in business. If you make it pretty, you can sell them too.
Awesome work!
Thank you!
You should make a video on installing the Mustang II suspension and eliminating the strut towers altogether. :D
Great job and looks beautiful, but I suppose, it is much heavier than the old aluminium one, which still does the job. Didn't you think about it this way?
+Андрей Студенцов The weight difference is not that much since the aluminum needs to be thicker than the steel in order to have the same strength as the steel. Weight is not always a bad thing either. Every little bit does count, but you can always compensate in other areas. The biggest difference between the two (and what makes this design superior to the aluminum) is the elimination of the useless pivot point at the mount.
+The Fabricator Did you weigh it? Just curious.
Yes. The difference is just over 2 pounds.