Weld or rivets... that is my question

[Rezarf]

Well, after a long day of tacking and welding in my sheet metal on my trailers front box, I am at a cross roads.

I am trying to figure out if I should weld up my sheet metal, or rivet it onto the tube frame.

Pro's of welding:

1.Faster than the riveting.
2. Cleaner look than the rivets, easier to paint and prep.
3. I don't have to buy a kerbillion rivets.

Con's of welding:

1. It is too cold to get my weld through primer to set up correctly.
2. Instructions call for 70*, and there is no way I can get my garage that warm, and my test piece failed miserably and came out a mess.
3. Can't get any rust proofing between the panels since its too cold to prime.
4. Controling the heat and warping issues.

Pro's of Riveting:
1. I can use Sikaflex and rivets and get a super strong, water-tight bond.
2. Easy, and I don't have to worry about warpage.
3. Easier to readjust/repair/modify down the road.

Con's of Riveting:
1. I loose the smooth look of the welded steel.
2. I have drill about a gazillion holes.
3. I have to buy about a gazillion rivets.
4. Could be messy with the adhesive/sealant.

I am open to your thoughts... fire away!

Thanks!

 

[wesintl]

why not do it similar to the m416. they use 2 or 3 90* angle on the bed that sit infront of the crossmembers to keep it from shifting. Then there are tabs around the outside that bolt it to the frame.

What kind of rivits would you be using?

 

[Rezarf]

This is to attach the sheet metal to the sides of the steel tube frame for the "tub." The tub gets bolted to the frame.

Clear as mud?

Drew

 

[SROR/AKA 2BAD]

Well, after a long day of tacking and welding in my sheet metal on my trailers front box, I am at a cross roads.

I am trying to figure out if I should weld up my sheet metal, or rivet it onto the tube frame.

Pro's of welding:

1.Faster than the riveting.
2. Cleaner look than the rivets, easier to paint and prep.
3. I don't have to buy a kerbillion rivets.

Con's of welding:

1. It is too cold to get my weld through primer to set up correctly.
what are you talking about?

2. Instructions call for 70*, and there is no way I can get my garage that warm, and my test piece failed miserably and came out a mess.
70 degrees to do what? weld?

3. Can't get any rust proofing between the panels since its too cold to prime.
just seal the seams with silicone

4. Controling the heat and warping issues.
warping? only weld about 3/4" every couple inches


Pro's of Riveting:
1. I can use Sikaflex and rivets and get a super strong, water-tight bond.
2. Easy, and I don't have to worry about warpage.
3. Easier to readjust/repair/modify down the road.

Con's of Riveting:
1. I loose the smooth look of the welded steel.
2. I have drill about a gazillion holes.
3. I have to buy about a gazillion rivets.
4. Could be messy with the adhesive/sealant.

I am open to your thoughts... fire away!

Thanks!

my thoughts are in the cons of welding

i'd weld it

 

[RockRunner]

Any pictures to show us what you are trying to do? Welding is nicer but like you said there are drawbacks. Can you get a heater in the garage? I can get our garage to mid 70's with a propane heater, you are more than welcome to borrow it if you need one or another one.

 

[wesintl]

I would weld then. Any concern about jarring and bouncing with rivits and failure later down the road?

 

[Rezarf]

No, not any more than tack welds... but I would use small stitch welds. Martyn at Adventure Trailers says it would hold up fine. I would use steel rivets in the 100's

If they were glued and riveted, I think they would be fine.

I am still undecided on this one. Thanks Wes.

Drew

 

[Corbet]

steel rivets or stainless steel?

I'd probably rivet with stainless. With the glue/sealant or some sort of gasket. If spaced evenly rivets look kind of cool IMO. And repairs probably easier.