ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[zmotorsports]

Great CAD. Lot cheaper than buying the software. Lol.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Thanks Shorty. I agree.

 

[zmotorsports]

A little more progress tonight.

Ran a flap disk over the pieces and deburred them then tack welded the wing sections in place.







Thanks for looking.

 

[LXCam]

Looking real good mike!

 

[fnieto]

^^^^^What Cam said^^^^^

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks guys. It's getting there.

 

[StormcrowAz]

Fantastic work, I always enjoy reading through your posts.

Especially envious of the consistency and quality of your welds. Makes me want to lock myself in the shop and do nothing but practice running beads for a month or two. I don't think the wife, dogs, or people who receive the mortgage checks would appreciate it as much, though.

 

[zmotorsports]

Fantastic work, I always enjoy reading through your posts.

Especially envious of the consistency and quality of your welds. Makes me want to lock myself in the shop and do nothing but practice running beads for a month or two. I don't think the wife, dogs, or people who receive the mortgage checks would appreciate it as much, though.

Thank you, I appreciate the comments.

I wish my welds were more consistent however as I don't weld enough to really fine tune them to what I want. I may go a couple of weeks or even a month between getting under a hood and welding is a perishable skillset if not routinely exercised.

Thanks for following along on my projects. I've been enjoying yours as well as you do nice work.

 

[lilscorpion]

Mike - that really came together fast and looks great. I’m now thinking hard about getting a metal bandsaw. If I had more space it wouldn’t be a tough decision.

You’re going to MIG weld it right?

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike - that really came together fast and looks great. I’m now thinking hard about getting a metal bandsaw. If I had more space it wouldn’t be a tough decision.

You’re going to MIG weld it right?

Thanks Matt. I don’t know about the fast part though, we’ve been on it two weeks now but only working on it a couple of hours a night. Last year I was working g do much on things and long hours and I was getting burned out. I don’t want to feel that way again so I’m pacing myself a bit.

As for welding process, yes, this has been MIG welded so far. Been using both my Miller MM211 for the thinner 10-gauge wings and my MM251 for the 1/4” and 3/16” on the center section and mounting brackets.

Also Matt, I highly recommend a vertical bandsaw. I use mine a LOT and for projects like this a vertical bandsaw is invaluable. I was tight on space at my last shop but it was well worth it.

Thanks for stopping by and checking in on my projects Matt.

 

[zmotorsports]

We were able to finish up most of the welding on the wings today.

Prior to disassembly, we tacked some side wings on the center section to fill the gap between the lower radiator mount and the outer wings. Then removed all of the modular components to complete the welding and start metal finishing.




Driver’s side wing unbolted and being removed.






Thanks for looking.

 

[LXCam]

That’s going to be great. I did the same thing on mine, built up the outer seem welds just so I could grind it all back off but also did a heavy stitch weld on the inside for strength.

 

[4 FN 27]

Nice work Mike!!!

 

[zmotorsports]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the comments.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Looks awesome!

 

[gnpenning]

As always, when I come back to this thread I'm always impressed.

Keep up the good work.

 

[fnieto]

Awesome progress Mike, I like to modular wings.

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks awesome!

As always, when I come back to this thread I'm always impressed.

Keep up the good work.

Awesome progress Mike, I like to modular wings.

Thanks for the comments guys.

I didn't get a chance to work on it last night due to a heavy snowstorm that hit us yesterday and having to blow snow off the drive but I hope to be able to make some progress tonight.

 

[ksp683]

Long time lurker,
Just wanted to drop a note and let you know that your project thread is by far my favorite spot to stop and see what you have been doing.
Thank you for continually posting your projects up. You have a big audience that appreciates your attention to detail and thought process behind all your work.

Thank you,

KP

 

[zmotorsports]

Long time lurker,
Just wanted to drop a note and let you know that your project thread is by far my favorite spot to stop and see what you have been doing.
Thank you for continually posting your projects up. You have a big audience that appreciates your attention to detail and thought process behind all your work.

Thank you,

KP

Thank you KP for your long term lurkey-ness.

I am flattered and happy to hear that you enjoy my projects.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Beautiful welds on that winch mount.

 

[zmotorsports]

Beautiful welds on that winch mount.

Thank you.

I had some minor issues with my wire feed on my little MM211 due to an old spool of wire which caused some inconstancies in the welds but luckily they were all in areas that will be metal finished and blended anyways.

Now that I got that sorted I hope to have resolved the issue and can complete the bumper.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projects.

 

[QwikKotaTx]

Thank you.

I had some minor issues with my wire feed on my little MM211 due to an old spool of wire which caused some inconstancies in the welds but luckily they were all in areas that will be metal finished and blended anyways.

Now that I got that sorted I hope to have resolved the issue and can complete the bumper.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projects.

I had to buy a new gun assembly for my Lincoln and a proper drive wheel for non-flux core wire. I still need years of practice to weld half as well as you do. Bumper is looking good so far.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had to buy a new gun assembly for my Lincoln and a proper drive wheel for non-flux core wire. I still need years of practice to weld half as well as you do. Bumper is looking good so far.

Thank you. My issue was an old spool of .023" wire that kept getting snagged or pinched wire as it was unrolling. I should have put my new spool of wire on when I purchased the welder last year but I decided to try and finish up my old 15+ year spool first and it bit me in the *** on this project. I'm still trying to use it up but before I weld anything more I'm sure I will be putting a new roll on the machine.

I appreciate the comments and thanks for following along.

 

[zmotorsports]

We were able to get more work done on my son’s WJ winch bumper yesterday.

We started by clamping each wing to the fab table for knocking down the welds and metal finishing all of the pieces.








Winch mocked into position to determine light placement.


KC LED lights mocked up in place.






Lower valance metal finished and bolted in place.






After closing up the shop for the day the wife and I decided to go for a drive. We took the truck to stretch its legs and it rolled over 100k miles on the way home.


Thanks for looking.

 

[fnieto]

That front bumper turned out beautiful.

The Dmax is almost broken in

 

[LXCam]

That’s purdy Mike! I say clear coat it and DONE.

 

[Boosted1]

Man that is a nice bumper!

 

[jhn9840]

Very nice bumper. Makes the WJ standout.

jhn9840
John

 

[Yarz]

Looks amazing!

I have a question about the center section: Is there any way for water/other debris to exit the winch box?

It won't be an issue if he cleans and maintains his vehicles like you do, but us mere mortals would have all kinds of junk (leaves, etc) trapped in there.

 

[gearhead1960]

Mike,
Fantastic work as always. Will you be getting the bumper powder coated?

 

[bugnut]

outstanding love your attention to details!

 

[zmotorsports]

That front bumper turned out beautiful.

The Dmax is almost broken in

That’s purdy Mike! I say clear coat it and DONE.

Man that is a nice bumper!

Very nice bumper. Makes the WJ standout.

jhn9840
John

outstanding love your attention to details!

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the comments about the bumper. He's pretty pleased with the way it turned out and now anxious to get it powder coated and installed for the last time.

Paco, yep, the D-Max still has a LOT of life left in her. I was trying to postpone that 100k mile mark as long as I could but I guess for a 15 year old truck that isn't bad.

Cam, Jared said the same thing, that we should just clearcoat it and be call it done but it needs color.

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks amazing!

I have a question about the center section: Is there any way for water/other debris to exit the winch box?

It won't be an issue if he cleans and maintains his vehicles like you do, but us mere mortals would have all kinds of junk (leaves, etc) trapped in there.

Thank you.

Yes, the back of the bottom is open and will allow any moisture/water to drain out the back and down. Also, he's probably more **** about his cars than I am so keeping it clean won't be an issue.

Thanks for following along.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
Fantastic work as always. Will you be getting the bumper powder coated?

Thanks Mark. Yes, it will be getting powder coated the same as the rear. We also have sliders we need to fabricate as well as a tube section in the rear hatch that will also be powder coated silver once we get the bumper done.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Fantastic work as usual Mike. Will the powder coat match the paint, or will it be a differing color?

 

[zmotorsports]

Fantastic work as usual Mike. Will the powder coat match the paint, or will it be a differing color?

Thanks. The powder coating will be the exact same as the rear bumper, pretty close match.

 

[aka Larry]

Looks FANTASTIC Mike! Nice works as always.

 

[Finallygotit]

......Yes, the back of the bottom is open and will allow any moisture/water to drain out the back and down. Also, he's probably more **** about his cars than I am so keeping it clean won't be an issue.

Thanks for following along.

How is that even possible??

Great job Mike!

 

[4 FN 27]

Over the top Mike!!!

 

[zmotorsports]

Looks FANTASTIC Mike! Nice works as always.

How is that even possible??

Great job Mike!

Over the top Mike!!!

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments.

Trust me Dan, it's possible.