I started the first day of my tumbler’s physical construction by cutting the steel pieces for the lower chassis and blocking them up with shims on a center line, level and square, on double 12x16 blocks, making symmetrical adjustments for the side taper of course. After some adjusting and rechecking several times I secured all the metal parts with magnetic angle and c-clamps. After re-checking everything a few more times I used an ARC welder set at 105 amps with 6011 (60,000 YTS) 1/8^th inch rods to run 2-3 bead passes, chipping and grinding the slag/flux, between each pass. 

Dividing my Tumbler work time between physical construction of the upper frame and researching/studying ahead for my next construction step. I am currently trying to figure out the specifics I will need to build the front arms. I have a pretty good idea of how to build them. The best Flange Bearing I have found so far is a 2-inch shaft bore, stainless steel 4-bolt flange bearing unit from USA Bearings and Belts, SUCSF210-32. Does anyone know of a better flange bearing? Still looking for more detail in how the shock actuator arm attaches to the bearing shaft. Also, whether there is an over-travel restriction device, such as an extended lower portion to the shock arm that maybe stops against a plate. Or is the torsion bar and upper shock actuator everything that is required to limit the arm travel? Looking for input and suggestions from everyone who ever considered building or actually built the front arm assemblies, especially from Big Wave Dave and Bob Dullam, as they are considered by many as the Grand Master builders of the Tumbler. And from Shaggy too. I have read all his posts and his talents are obvious and amazing. Vertigo       

Continuing to divide my Tumbler work time between the physical construction of the upper frame and researching/studying ahead for my next construction steps. I am currently planning to construct all my body panels from steel. I like the idea of using steel but realize many of the triangular shapes of the Tumbler readily lend themselves in a crash to transforming into rather effective cutting and piercing instruments. That said, I have decided to install a layer of steel over the core frame. This should give me sufficient protection and provide me with a flat surface to install my modular body sections on as well. From the beginning I knew I was going to build the body using a blended seam modular design. Why? Because, I wanted both a street legal Tumbler and a full size Tumbler. I didn’t want to go the 5/6ths scale route and I thought about the modified Gumball Tumbler but something told me that I would not be satisfied with either. To have both, where street legal and movie correct collide I am designing plug/bolt on modular body units, one set modified for street legal and another set for movie correct.     vertigo

Continuing to divide my Tumbler work time between the cutting and welding of the core frame and researching/studying ahead for my next construction steps. Currently designing the flange bearing support brackets. From the photos I have seen it appears they were cut from 3/8" plate. I have read a few descriptions of them being 1/2" thick. Anyone know anything about what thickness was used? Also, anyone have any suggestion(s) and/or opinions for the flange bearing and shaft specifics.    

Finished welding the core frame of my Tumbler build yesterday. Still grinding all the welds and touching up any incomplete welds. Will post pictures once grinding finished. I decided last night to go through my Tumbler collected research as I do once a month. Aside from a few photos and CADs along with a few sketches very little is found on the internet about the Tumbler frame. The single greatest source for information on the Tumbler that I found is the You Tube video postings from Marc Irvin. He owns a company named Marc's Creatures in Van Nuys, CA. He posted videos of his Tribute Tumbler build and they are still there. To get the most from these videos I printed out a still shot of each second of video and did a detailed analysis of each shot. More was revealed to me about the Tumbler design and inner workings than from 95-percent of everything else I collected. If anyone else is trying to or wanting to build a Tumbler a detailed, second by second, analysis of Marc's Tribute Tumbler videos will give you a core understanding and foundation to build from. Vertigo   

Jan-31-2014 marked one month on my Tumbler build. Still have some grinding left on my core frame but I thought I would mark my 1st month of Tumbler building by going ahead and posting some pictures of what I have completed so far. Vertigo

Thanks for the complements. My frame is a little over built but since the weight to power ratio is not particularly significant I can allow myself to have more weight. I'm pretty satisfied with my frame's integrity and at present don't believe it will require rebuilding in the future. vertigo 

Thanks for the compliments. As to my setup. I got tired of looking for tools so I built a shelf unit out of concrete blocks and pressure treated 2x6s. I am still acquiring tool boxes from Home Depot and organizing tools. No back ground in fabrication and I am making it up as I go. Did spend a year in preparation for this project by searching the web and reading everything I could find on the Tumbler and reading a lot of preparation materials to enhance and/or acquire related design/construction skills. Now, I am spliting my time between ongoing research and the physical construction. 3-hours reading/research to 1-hour of physical building. Right now, I am studying the front flange bearing frame brackets and searching for the best flange bearings. vertigo