So I've been thinkging I'd really like to have a custom cage for my XP4T but don't want to spend 2+k on one. Was just thinking maybe I could buy the tube bender and a welder and just do it myself.
Wondering if other people had taken that on themselves and just learned how to build the cage as they went, tools and material certainly won't cost that much and then maybe I could do it for others as well....

I’ve considered doing one myself. I know I can cut, bend and mock up the cage but I would really have to brush up on my welding to trust my life with it.

 

I've not welded in about 25 yrs but I was pretty dang good at it back in the day the other stuff I'd have to figure out as well. Doing a little more searching on the web I located places where you could get DIY kits. They are all cut out and ready to just be welded together, but still not sure I'd trust my welding skills, would have to do a lot of test welding to get the process down really well but even then, it's sketchy........

 

By the time you buy a welder, tubing bender, tubing notcher, and materials it will cost you as much if not more (depends on quality of the tools) than buying a cage.

If you want to take it on and learn I suggest a JD2 bender. You can get a decent MIG welder for around $600-$900. I have several and my favorite is a KLUTCH MP240SiDV. It's a multiprocess welder that allows you to MIG, TIG, & stick weld. You can get a decent tubing notcher for around $200 from Summit, Jegs, etc...

It's very cool to be able to build your own stuff.

 

If you see yourself spending the $ on the gear Joe described then a week later bending out a cage you need to rethink this. It takes time to learn how to measure for the bends, where the notching is going to start, the angle on the notch, etc.
Skills certainly worth learning. If you see yourself using this stuff the rest of your life then go for it. I would build myself a set of bumpers, and a set for a couple of friends, some rock sliders, etc. before taking the cage on.
If you know some one who is a skilled welder it would be worth a couple steak dinners and beverages on a few Saturdays to get some good instruction on welding, IMHO.
I second the JD2 bender.

 

BTW - plan on wasting a lot of material until you get the hang of measuring & bending.

 

crashedtoys.com

 

I say go for it. The equipment will pay for it self after you build a few cages. A buddy and I built these cages for our rzrs a few months ago. It took some time figuring out the angles And notching them, but was worth it in the end.

 

I agree with the guys above, if you are doing it to save money you won’t. I have to order my dom and I’ll have 500 just in materials with clamps and such. But you will have all the tools afterwards if you decide to do it. Mig, bottle. JD2 with dies, notcher...

 

Speaking of notches buy a high dollar one where you can notch in bends, or buy mine so I can get a high dollar one that notches in bends!

 

Absolutely lol. We used the klutch tubing notcher. It got the job done but notching in the bends would have made it 10x easier

 

^^^ lol... well if I go this route then I'll buy good tools so I can make this easier on myself..

 

You wont save money if you don't currently have a welder and a bender at minimum. In fact it'll cost you more. Unless you have some connections, the tubing will cost you more as well. There's a price to pay for experience and knowledge. With that said, 100% do it. You'll have that satisfaction and you'll have a welder and a bender to use for other things.