going to make my own argo skid plate

[plott hound]

after pricing a skid plate and finding out they are over 500 bux,ive decided to try to build my own.a 4'x8'x3/16" sheet of HDPE is about 80 bux to buy here in ontario.my question is how thick are the factory plates?is 3/16" heavy enough or should i buy a sheet of 1/4"?

thanks

[lewis]

The factory ones are about 1/4 at the leanest point, but 3/16 should do just fine. Look at Hydro Mike's gallery or the how to section on how he did his skid plate. If you have access to a heavy duty bender(hydraulic) that bends plate steel this will help you get your shape easier and will probably require less pop rivets. You will also need a good heat gun to help with the molding process.
Good hunting and post up some pictures!!!!

Lewis

[plott hound]

thanks lewis,i thought 3/16" material would be easier to work with.we have an 8' brake at work so i will con the shop foreman to come and evaluate the job with a few wobbly pops.what the heck does a guy cut that stuff with?a real fine toothed saw blade?

cheers.

[lewis]

If you have a break you probably have a shear, but if you don't i score it deep and then bend it and break it. For fine tuning on the edges use a hand held planner. It works great to smooth edges. A dremmel tool will work for the u cuts around the axles but watch out for gumming or you can use end/side nippers to shape intricate shapes then use a bondo rasp to smooth out the curves. When you rivet it to the body use some wide backup washer to prevent pull through. Just a few things that may help.

Lewis

[racerone3]

I cut poly with a course tooth jig saw blade. it will leave the edges rough. you can clean them up with a sharp pocket knife or a sheetmetal deburring tool like this one Reed Debo Deburring Tool - Copper, Aluminum, Steel (Unlimited) (4434)

[MarshallEpp]

home depot carries them i bought some there just a couple bucks and you even get extra tip.

[plott hound]

thanks for all the pointers guys!

[plott hound]

got my sheet of HDPE and cut it to size.damn jigsaw with a metal cutting blade works real well.doesn't even leave a rough edge.i did a practise bend on the cutoff pce just using a propane torch,a board and 2 clamps.stuff is real easy to work with.should be able to fab it up real quick on the metal brake at work.

[Rock Doctor]

I just put UHMW on the bottom of my Jetboat, and found that a Plunge Router worked well for some of the cuts and finishing work.

[Paquette]

Where'd you get the HDPE ? How did you fasten it ?

[plott hound]

Where'd you get the HDPE ? How did you fasten it ?

bought the HDPE @ laird plastics in missisauga.going to fasten it with urethane sealant,thats the same stuff you glue windsheilds in with.damn stuff is tough and good to go in 15 minutes.

[Paquette]

Have you glued it on yet ? Looking forward to pics and do's and don'ts.

[plott hound]

ok guys,got the skid plate formed but not attached.with the help of the best sheet metal guy i know,we heated broke and formed this sucker the best we could.found the heat heat gun didnt have enough heat so we switched to a turbo torch with a number 8 tip.took a total of 2.5 hours to do this.hope my pictures help others do the same.

p.s. after looking at the pictures i think its time to go on a diet.lol skid plate 004.jpgskid plate 001.jpgskid plate 002.jpgskid plate 003.jpgskid plate 005.jpg

[plott hound]

and a few more

[jerseybigfoot]

WOW that came out sweet.