Willowbilly3
A *real* tin magnet
When I built my frame I didn't have a jig, table or anything like that. I had built a few trailers this way and it is real sImple. The main thing you need (besides a welder) is 4 screw jacks and at least one good 4 foot level. I had some light duty home made jacks I got at a yard sale for a few $$. The old travel trailer ones work well or you could build them.
So you get your frame rails laid out with a jack at each corner and start leveling, side to side also fore and aft. You will also want to get a good reference point near each corner of the frame to measure from and measure the frame diagonally. When the corner to corner measure ments are equal it is square, measure often. Once you have it level and square, start tacking in the crossmembers. At this point (before I start welding) I do like to clamp a section of new angle of square tube across each end to get the rails perpendicular, measure again. I like to continually check the level and square because welding will warp things but with tack welds you can adjust. I leave it on the stands when boxed up and use the same method to get the suspension mounted, keep everything square.
You can also pull a centerline but it really isn't necessary.
So you get your frame rails laid out with a jack at each corner and start leveling, side to side also fore and aft. You will also want to get a good reference point near each corner of the frame to measure from and measure the frame diagonally. When the corner to corner measure ments are equal it is square, measure often. Once you have it level and square, start tacking in the crossmembers. At this point (before I start welding) I do like to clamp a section of new angle of square tube across each end to get the rails perpendicular, measure again. I like to continually check the level and square because welding will warp things but with tack welds you can adjust. I leave it on the stands when boxed up and use the same method to get the suspension mounted, keep everything square.
You can also pull a centerline but it really isn't necessary.
