Fabrication
Fabrication content — custom brackets, shop equipment builds, and welding projects.
24
Builds
83
Knowledge
Popular Questions
How much wheel/tire clearance should I leave when shaping the fender well?How long does a project like this typically take?What welding technique is recommended?What size U-joints do I need?What safety precautions are important?How do I prevent warping when welding thin sheet metal?What wheel/tire sizes can this modification accommodate?How do you prevent warping when welding large panels?What gauge of steel should I use for custom fender wells?How much extra clearance will custom fender wells give me?
Builds
Project Front Loader Pt 3: Starting to assemble the bucket!
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang Pt 6
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang - FINAL
F100 Driveshaft Transformed into Mustang Custom Build
Project Front Loader: Pt1 testing our new stick welder
DIY Muffler Cover: Eliminate the Grass Fire Danger
Project Front Loader Pt 6: Linear actuator and bucket install on lawn mower
I Tried Making a Gauge Cluster and Didn't Expect This
Project Front Loader: Pt2 Continuing to feel out the new stick welder
DIY Prototype Desk Clamp for Headphones using steel
Project Front Loader: Pushed to the breaking point!
Project Front Loader Pt 4: The bucket is assembled!
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang pt 2
Project Front Loader Pt 5: Assembling the frame and the bucket
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang Pt 4
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang Pt 5
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang
Project Solar Mount first steps!
Project Front Loader Pt 7: Finalizing supports and initial testing leads to a small failure
Winch on hitch | Let's build it
Addressing a major structural issue with my first solar rack
Project Front Loader: Final build video
From cuts to custom fender wells on my Mustang part 3
Driveshaft build failure but heres how I tried to succeed
Vehicles
Knowledge
How much wheel/tire clearance should I leave when shaping the fender well?How long does a project like this typically take?What welding technique is recommended?What size U-joints do I need?What safety precautions are important?How do I prevent warping when welding thin sheet metal?What wheel/tire sizes can this modification accommodate?How do you prevent warping when welding large panels?What gauge of steel should I use for custom fender wells?How much extra clearance will custom fender wells give me?How much wheel/tire clearance gain can I expect?What materials and thickness should I use for the tubs?How do I prevent rust where I cut and weld?How do I determine the correct driveshaft length?Can I use an F100 driveshaft in my '65 Mustang?What finish work is needed after welding the new wells?How difficult is this for someone with limited metalworking experience?How much extra tire/wheel clearance can I expect?Do I need any special tools to make custom fender wells?Do I need to weld the new fender wells, or can I rivet/bolt them?Will cutting the inner fender affect structural integrity?Do I have to weld the new wheelwell panels, or can I bolt or rivet them?Do I need a welder to do this, or can I rivet the tubs in?Will this change how the suspension or alignment behaves?Is welding on the driveshaft safe?Do I need to remove the fender to make custom wheelwells?Do I need to use preformed tubs or can I fabricate from sheet metal?Will this modification affect vehicle legality or safety?Will cutting the fender wells affect structural integrity?Do I need a welder or can I use rivets?Will modifying the inner fender affect vehicle safety or inspection?Do I need to weld the tubs in or can I use rivets?Will cutting and welding the inner fender cause rust problems?How do I protect the repaired area from rust and road debris?What safety steps should I take before working under the Mustang?How much clearance should I allow for larger wheels/tires?How should I protect the new metal from rust?How can I reduce warping when welding loader components?Can I drive the needles with an Arduino or do I need a CAN interface?What electrode types should I use when learning on a stick welder?How do I dial in the correct amperage for the electrode?Can I replace control arms and tie rods at home without special tools?How can I test the repair before trusting it long-term?What desk thickness will the clamp fit?How do I know if my front-end components are 'pushed to the breaking point'?What caused the unexpected issue and how do I troubleshoot?How much will repairs cost?What exactly failed during the initial test?What welding process is best for assembling a bucket?How do I attach the bucket to my loader arms?What safety precautions should I take during assembly?Can I reuse stock U-joints and flanges from another shaft?How long did the final assembly/testing take?What exactly is 'Project Front Loader' (make/model/year)?Can I start fabricating the loader after this video?What materials thickness should I use for the bucket and frame?What type of hydraulic cylinders and hoses are required?How are pivot points protected against wear?How much will this cost to build?What material is best for a muffler cover?Can I weld the shield instead of riveting or clamping?Can this be permanently welded to the vehicle?What hitch class is required for a hitch-mounted winch?Can I bolt the winch mount instead of welding?How do I ensure the mount is safe for recovery loads?What materials are best for the rails?How do you route wiring from roof-mounted panels?How did I determine the rack had a structural flaw?What voltage actuator is used and can my mower battery handle it?How do I attach the cutting edge?How do I ensure the bucket brackets are aligned properly?How do I size the actuator (force and stroke)?How should the winch be wired to the vehicle?How did the fire start?What safety precautions should I take when testing a loader?How do I clean slag and finish my welds?What safety gear is essential for stick welding?What welding precautions are important?What would I do differently on a retry?What caused the driveshaft build to fail?What skills and tools are needed for the next steps?What electrical protections are required?What amperage should I set on a stick welder?
Parts (50)
| Steel support/bracket (fabricated) | |
| Steel tubing/angle stock (material for supports) | |
| High-strength bolts / hardware | |
| Welding consumables (wire/rod) | |
| Sheet metal (mild steel) - 18-20 gauge | |
| Universal inner fender liner / splash shield | |
| Seam sealer (automotive) | |
| Seam sealer | |
| Pop rivets / sheet metal screws | |
| MIG welding wire / shielding gas (consumables) | |
| Body filler (Bondo or similar) | |
| Lower control arm (pair) | MOOG (typical aftermarket) |
| Outer tie rod ends (pair) | ACDelco / aftermarket (typical) |
| Front strut assembly (pair) | KYB / Monroe (typical) |
| Wheel bearing/hub assembly (front) | Timken / SKF (typical) |
| Front brake rotors (pair) | Centric / Raybestos (typical) |
| Front brake pads (set) | Hawk / EBC / OEM (typical) |
| Sway bar end links (pair) | Moog / Dorman (typical) |
| Sheet steel (20-18 gauge) for wheel tubs and patches | |
| Aftermarket wheel tubs / inner fender tubs (or pre-formed tub panels) | |
| MIG welding wire (ER70S-6, 0.030") | |
| 12V Linear Actuator (electric) | |
| Front loader bucket (steel) | |
| Mounting brackets / angle iron (fabrication materials) | |
| Pivot pins / clevis pins / lynch pins | |
| Wiring harness: relay, switch, fuse, fuse holder, wire, connectors | |
| Fasteners (bolts, nuts, washers) | |
| Fasteners (flange bolts, nuts, lock washers) | |
| Steel stock for reinforcement / extra fabrication | |
| Grease / anti-seize / lubrication | |
| Driveshaft tube (steel) | |
| Slip yoke / tailshaft yoke | |
| Universal joints (U-joints, set of 2) | |
| Flange / output yoke | |
| Center/carrier bearing (if 2-piece) | |
| Balancing weights / adhesive weights | |
| MIG welding wire (ER70S-6, 0.030-0.035" spool) | |
| Grinding / flap discs (pack) | |
| 18 gauge cold-rolled steel sheet (for tubs) | |
| Preformed wheel tubs (alternative) | |
| Seam sealer / panel adhesive | |
| Weld-through primer / zinc-rich primer | |
| Automotive body filler (Bondo or equivalent) | |
| Self-tapping screws / rivets & nutserts (fasteners) | |
| Body filler (Bondo or equivalent) | |
| Primer (etching/epoxy primer) | |
| Rivets / self-tapping sheet metal screws | |
| MIG welding wire | |
| Primer (self-etch or epoxy) | |
| 18 gauge mild steel sheet (or equivalent sheetmetal) |
Tools (50)
| Socket set (metric and SAE) | |
| Torque wrench | |
| Floor jack and jack stands | |
| Multimeter | |
| Brake bleeder / fluid funnel | |
| Floor jack | |
| Jack stands | |
| Socket set / wrenches | |
| MIG/TIG welder | |
| Angle grinder | |
| Drill / drill bits | |
| Jack stands / vehicle support | |
| Measuring tape and marker | |
| Angle grinder with cutting and flap discs | |
| MIG welder | |
| Reciprocating saw / metal cutting saw | |
| Drill and spot weld cutter / drill bits | |
| Hammer and dolly set | |
| Clamps (C-clamps / locking pliers) | |
| Breaker bar | |
| Jack and jack stands | |
| Clamps (sheet metal clamps / C-clamps) | |
| Impact wrench (air or electric) | |
| Ball joint separator / pickle fork | |
| Hammer / pry bar | |
| Soldering iron | |
| Heat gun | |
| Files and sandpaper | |
| Tape measure and combination square | |
| Rotary tool (Dremel-style) | Dremel |
| Stick welder (SMAW / arc welder) | |
| Chipping hammer and wire brush | |
| C-clamps / welding clamps | |
| Angle grinder with cutoff wheel and flap disc | |
| Electric or air drill (with hole saws / spot weld cutter) | |
| Metal snips / aviation shears | |
| Metal hammer and dolly set | |
| Measuring tools (tape, straightedge, scribe) | |
| Rivet gun / rivet nut tool (optional) | |
| Metal cutting saw / bandsaw (optional) | |
| Jack stands and floor jack | |
| Angle grinder with cutoff wheel | |
| MIG/ARC welder | |
| Metal chop saw or band saw | |
| Lathe (optional) / tube facing tool | |
| Tape measure and calipers | |
| Bench vise and C-clamp / U-joint press | |
| Safety gear (helmet, gloves, respirator) | |
| Drill and spot weld cutter | |
| Drill / drill press |