there is between 40ft-50ft of weld (5-7 hours) in one of my rear bumpers, then 3-5 hours of grinding/rewelding low spots, regrinding. Then 2-3 hurs sanding/filling with spot putty, resanding, priming, resanding, paint prep, painting. this doesn't even include the 4-6 hours of time cutting all the pieces and setting them up in the correct position for welding
Yeah there is really alot of work into these!!! And the kind of work sucks!! Try grinding/welding/regrinding/rewelding all in the heat of the day. And its all really really dirty work, at least when I do it. Theres alot of time cleaning up after you build the the bumper too. Most people don't realize just how much work goes into these. I didn't "really" realize until I built my own. Its deffinatly worth it to buy bumpers.!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Precisely the point I made--
simple design with minimal angles/contours and appendages. Less fab time and material cost translates to lower finished product price. Regarding durable, attractive, and inexpensive in the terms that I described--
this is really a contridiction in terms, don't see how you could do all three.
I think that's why many people are building their own, or buying them through non-traditional sources from individuals or "garage fab shops"...because they can and do.
Maybe I have an exaggerated perception of the trend toward home-fabricated bumpers, sliders, cages, etc.? Maybe the plain and simple, inexpensive bumper market is a small niche market that I erroneously percieve to be greater than it is because I am part of it? 'Cause I know that I really am a tight-wad when it comes to spending money! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
