20/20 Bracket (hindsight)

[Nofries]

I made a bracket over the weekend and wanted to know different ways I could have made this.

I made it out of sheet metal Sunday and got to thinking what would have been the best/easier way. In hind sight I might have used the plasma cutter as much of the time was getting the shape right after I made a cardboard template. But I'm not proficient with the plasma, plus digging it out and setting up seemed to be too much. But these are the tools I ended up using to making this janky bracket. What would you do and could I have made it quicker, better looking and more simple than my limited Fab skills? The all thread is/was an attempt for a hole transfer that I plan on doing later this week.

Looking for critique, I am learning fabrication and know I could do better, cleaner lines, more symmetrical, better layout etc. Just looking to improve fab skills.

 

[The Cobbler]

I say it looks good, I am not convinced plasma is a better option on thinner metal unless you are doing multiple same pcs on a plasma cam .
I do wonder about metal fatigue on the bends at the valve cover bolt over time. but that would be a long way off... if ever. I might double it up in that area .

 

[aka Larry]

Looks good to me also.

 

[Nofries]

I say it looks good, I am not convinced plasma is a better option on thinner metal unless you are doing multiple same pcs on a plasma cam .
I do wonder about metal fatigue on the bends at the valve cover bolt over time. but that would be a long way off... if ever. I might double it up in that area .

Thanks I appreciate it. I am my worst critic other than my son. LOL I am good with it but wished it looked better.

I'm open to ideas on how I could have made it stronger and better, I'm more concerned of the flex from the weight of the coil away from the mounting points but I wanted to be clear of the air cleaner.

It was scrap sheet metal that I had and I plan on welding stiffeners underneath to compensate for the weight. Jeep is not a daily driver by any means more of an ice-cream getter and occasional 4 wheeling trip in a national forest.

 

[The Cobbler]

you might want to think about a second bolt somewhere to stop the bracket from twisting & loosening the valve cover bolt?

 

[Nofries]

you might want to think about a second bolt somewhere to stop the bracket from twisting & loosening the valve cover bolt?

One bolt at the valve cover 1/4-20 the other on the intake 3/8-16.

 

[stinkity stoink]

maybe dress it up on the flat part and add a dimple / speed hole or a bead. That will also stiffen it up

 

[Nofries]

I ended up welding a stiffener on the underside of the flat part front to back.

I thought about a bead or dimple but have never done either, nor do I have a dimple die or bead roller. Can these be done with conventional tools? if so how?

I though about a hammer and punch for a "Bead" but didn't want to attempt concerned that it would warp, or make it look worse than it already does. LOL

 

[no704]

Mount the coil sideways, then only one bend. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t need to be vertical.

 

[Nofries]

Mount the coil sideways, then only one bend. I’m pretty sure it doesn’t need to be vertical.

True, I never thought of that, it works in the vertical position related to access and other components around it.
I'm having second thought about the life if it. Sheetmetal is thinner than I would like (something I had laying around) I'm going to run it unless I find a bracket I can buy, or have to make a thicker more stout one. If the bend or mounting holes fail< I will mount it horizontally until I figure a better solution.