K-frame - Reenforcement Question

[CUDA JAS]

I am making up some reenforcement plate for my K-Frame.  I am workign on the from sturut rod mounts.

Usually I see guys just weld a 1/8th inch thick washer around the hole (with only the outside welded).

My plan is to make a plate that extends well past the holes.  I will weld around the edges of the plate with a few plug welds in the plate.  My thoguth is that this will spread the force out to a greater area.

MY questions are:
1. Is there any merit to this plan?
2. I assume that there is no need to make the holed in the plate the exact same size as the whole in the K-frame, provided the existing hole is in good shape?
3. I know this area on the k-fram is not 100% flat, so can I justuse some heat in the plate to bend it into place after welding one side?

Here is a pic of the templates for the plates.





Thanks for all the help.  This is my first real fab project and I am really enjoying it!

Jason

[drewcrane]

MY questions are:
1. Is there any merit to this plan?
2. I assume that there is no need to make the holed in the plate the exact same size as the whole in the K-frame, provided the existing hole is in good shape?
3. I know this area on the k-fram is not 100% flat, so can I justuse some heat in the plate to bend it into place after welding one side?

 I did the same thing and also welded plates for the strut rods too   


1.Yes I have had a K frame crack in this area
2. Cover as much as you can ,there are two inner connectors so covering those area will essentially box the whole area
3. Grind the area and button hole ,and weld the edgesnand then clean up the welds with a grinder , paint and done

[jimynick]

Jason, if you get tired of trying to hacksaw those patches out; the boys bought me a plasma cutter for Xmas. Ian