Topic: Bumper fabricator in NE area? (Read 644 times)

apcollins · « **on:** March 23, 2009, 08:22:31 AM »

Hey all-

I'm not coming home to New England until Summer but when I do I'm hoping to get some new bumpers for my Disco... but I'm pretty poor so I'm not sure if the RoverTym setup is going to happen...

I have heard of people on LandRoverForums and Dweb getting bumpers fabricated, does anyone have any experience with this in our region?

-Andrew

Daniel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:50:42 AM »

As you have a DI instead of a DII, may I suggest a tubular bumper design. Check out roxtarfab.com. They have fronts and rears in the 600 range that look good, and are designed very well.

apcollins · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2009, 08:56:36 AM »

I actually looked at those a while ago... and I think the tubular style may be a little bit too extreme for my taste.

I'm looking for a simple slab of a bumper with a winch tray that I can weld the top of me OEM brushguard to and have it retain a somewhat country club friendly appearance

Daniel · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:00:20 AM »

Check out DAP. They have some nice designs, at reasonable prices. Not for HD use, but light to mid off-roading.

apcollins · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:04:08 AM »

Those are pretty clean.

Paddock Spares in England sells one just like that for about $300... too bad it costs more then that to ship it over here.

the colonel · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:17:51 AM »

One of SNHLR's members built a beauty for short $$. Andy Rigo! (You know him as ninjzx998) Drop him a PM and see what he has to offer! Really nice looking bumper.

apcollins · « **Reply #6 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:28:18 AM »

that's the kind of community-support I like to see, mr. colonel! haha.

I'll drop him a line.

the colonel · « **Reply #7 on:** March 23, 2009, 09:30:47 AM »

you do that young fella!

junkyddog11 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2009, 07:54:58 AM »

Generally speaking custom work is far more expensive than off the shelf. Would recommend an actual business that has insurances, the ability to warantee and stand behind products in addition to what should be the required skill and equipment to build a bumper that can be used in what may be dangerous situations.

Or at least if it is a "back yard" type shop, be sure that the fabricator is qualified, a bumper is much more than a place to hang your liscense plate.

cellulararrest · « **Reply #9 on:** March 24, 2009, 10:56:43 AM »

Quote from: junkyddog11;16537

Generally speaking custom work is far more expensive than off the shelf.

Really? Even to make something just like this?:

That's just what I want on my truck, but they want quite a good deal of money for the thing.

junkyddog11 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:34:01 PM »

absolutely. If economy of scale and production tecniques didn't save time and money then everything would be custom one off's.

Also as I mentioned......you can weld anything you want on your own rig. As soon as you work on someone elses and money changes hands a huge liability is taken on. This is a big part of the cost of doing business ( liability for my 3 / 4 man operation is $763 / month). All gets passed on through the product.

whatroad · « **Reply #11 on:** March 24, 2009, 08:43:24 PM »

X2. What's even more scary is " I know this guy" who has a welder.....
Just because someone owns one doesn't mean they can weld "correctly". A bumper is a HUGE liability...
But what the heck do I know...;-)

cellulararrest · « **Reply #12 on:** March 24, 2009, 09:57:35 PM »

Quote from: whatroad;16557

But what the heck do I know...;-)

I have no doubt quite a lot more than I in this area

. It's just very hard to drop $600 on something so simple.

junkyddog11 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 25, 2009, 07:26:48 AM »

As a fabricator I have to applaud those that can get that done for $600. There is about
steel $100 if your lucky
Machined parts (shackle brackets) $50
powdercoating $150

in just bits and subcontracting

that leaves $250 for fabricating the chassis mounts, forming the winch tray, forming the blade of the bumper, welding it all up and making it pretty. Sandblasting it. Getting it to the powdercoater. Getting it back from the powdercoater. Having a little left to cover marketing, insurance, rent, lunch, and etc. Never mind the fact that you've spent time designing a bumper that can safely be used in dangerous situations and constructed it with that in mind.

Not to try to be offensive Chris, but you're a smart fella and I'm suprised that you'd thing that this is expensive. Even with shipping the thing from Colorado it is still a great deal.

In complete full disclosure I do a fair amount of business with Rovertacks and do flog Keiths products and use many of them on my junk. This has nothing to do with my rant.

whatroad · « **Reply #14 on:** March 25, 2009, 07:57:11 AM »

Chris, here's a thought. I know you can do this in Pa, not sure about your area however. Check with a local tech school. I know in Pa all you have to do is pay for the material and (it was) $7 for "shop supplies". The teacher is a certified welder and it gives the kids some hands on while being closely supervised. Just a thought.

Author Topic: Bumper fabricator in NE area? (Read 644 times)