Rookie wanna-be weldor starting to make some cool things!

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by Dorzok

Don't you mean low and to the right?

And show your insurance adjuster what u got for their money.

Insurance guy actually told me on the phone that he didn't care if I took the money and went to Vegas. I asked "what about the truck?" He then told me he didn't care if I fixed it or not.

I'll probably show my local rep anyway so they can photograph and record everything in case anything else happens.

I've been thinking about driving around in reverse so Bambi can pay for the rear bumper and some rock sliders.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by 9Dave

I was at the scrap yard today and saw an aftermarket aluminum grill guard laying there that someone had brought in. It was just built out of tube and bolts under the front bumper. I thought of your project and just laughed at how light weight this one was, and how it would collapse at the first strike of anything solid.

You've done a great job with this one.

Thank you very much! It was hard work, but it was also fun and I learned a lot by just going for it.

I got all my tanks topped off today and I'm ready to get cracking on some more projects on my next break.

I think the next project will be a removeable rack for the bed of the truck so I can transport the welding tanks in a safe manner. Up until now, I've been sliding them in the back seat and putting a seat belt around them. Not exactly the safest thing in the world with a full tank at 2000psi.

Probably more uni-strut will get used. I'll make it to where it slides in the stake pockets and can hold the tanks strapped in the upright position like they should be transported. I'll have to fabricate the straps out of flatbar and make them like conduit straps so they can hook into the strut.

When removed from the truck, I'll make it free-standing so it can do double duty by holding emptys in the garage. Should be a pretty good little project.

[Dorzok]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Insurance guy actually told me on the phone that he didn't care if I took the money and went to Vegas. I asked "what about the truck?" He then told me he didn't care if I fixed it or not.

I'll probably show my local rep anyway so they can photograph and record everything in case anything else happens.

I've been thinking about driving around in reverse so Bambi can pay for the rear bumper and some rock sliders.

haha. i got rear ended in my country squire. insurance guy assessed the damage (bumper pushed in), gave me an estimate, cut me a check for around $500, and then told me how to pop the bumper out back in to place. don't remember what i spent the money on.

[kirkster70]

Alright, I've been putting this one off for a while - a cylinder rack so I can safely transport welding gas in the back of truck like someone who has a brain half the size of a pea. Mine's a bit smaller, so it takes me longer sometimes.



Back to the unistrut scrap pile. I notch the strut to slide into my truck's stake pockets using a 4 1/2" cutting wheel in a grinder.



Scrap 1 1/2" x 3/16" flat bar is drilled out, cut to size, and then a 3/8" nut is tacked in place.



Flat bar welded to the strut to match the factory hole height in the truck's inner bed side. I disconnect the battery negative to avoid any possible electrical gremlins.



Tightly bolted in place to begin mock-up of rack.



I allow plenty of room for the cylinder and a strap from the rack to the tailgate. I figure for a 330 cubic foot tank because I'm thinking of upgrading from 125s.



I cut the feet to the desired length and then measure for the vertical pieces. Everything is squared up and tacked in place. Now I can add another horizontal piece, triangulate the feet for support, and then take the rack out to fully weld all joints.

Quick and dirty rack is working out pretty well so far...

[josjor]

I was always going to build a cylinder rack that would slide into my hitch receiver. That way I wouldn't have to lift the heavy bottles up into the bed of the truck.

Then I thought about being rear-ended.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by josjor

I was always going to build a cylinder rack that would slide into my hitch receiver. That way I wouldn't have to lift the heavy bottles up into the bed of the truck.

Then I thought about being rear-ended.

Oooh! Yeah, that would be a bad day!

125s are pretty easy to throw around, but I think the 330s are around 145lbs or so. I'm thinking I can flip them up if I can get them horizontal on the tailgate.

AirGas will only let me rent a 330 @ $70 a year plus fill charges.

I can buy one from Gas Pony @ Tractor Supply outright, but it works out to be about 4 1/2 years of renting to equal the tank purchase. Fill charges are about the same at each place.


AirGas won't fill a Gas Pony cylinder. I already asked.

It's always something...

[kirkster70]

I'm thinking just because it's scrap, it doesn't have to look completely ghetto. With that in mind, I cap all the open strut ends with pieces cut out of the scrap scrap.

Then I do the usual spraybomb session.

I'm hoping to fab the cylinder straps out of flat bar tomorrow. That should be a bit of a challenge. We'll see...

[kirkster70]

Using scrap 1 1/2" x 3/16" flat bar, I bend a 90 in the hole end with my homemade brake, and bend the curve in the vise. I thought this would be a bit of a challenge to bend the right radius, but it went pretty smoothly. I probably just jinxed myself...

The notch is made with a drill bit, and then trimmed up with the cutting wheel.



1/2" hardware is used to attach the strap. Now I need to make at least 3 more straps.

Not a very exciting project, but a much needed one.

[Zombie_Stomp]

How about a wingnut-style bolt or extended nut with a t-handle to make securing the tanks easier?


Good pure-utility project.

[100mpg]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Either he was hungry or something smelled really good to the bear. He tests the chains on a regular basis, but he's never caved in the lid before. My wife told the neighbors that she isn't sure who is more determined - me or the bear.

thats easy. You. Make sure you have the camera pointed directly at the bumper the night you just happen to "forget" some cookies on the new bumper and the bear (paid participant) tests your bumper!

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by Zombie_Stomp

How about a wingnut-style bolt or extended nut with a t-handle to make securing the tanks easier?


Good pure-utility project.

I was more worried about someone making off with my tanks if left unattended too long in the parking lot. I was actually scratching my head on how I could lock them, but didn't want to burn up too many brain cells thinking about it. I have to be gentle with the ones I have left.

It's a pretty quick affair working the straps with a ratchet.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by 100mpg

thats easy. You. Make sure you have the camera pointed directly at the bumper the night you just happen to "forget" some cookies on the new bumper and the bear (paid participant) tests your bumper!

I repositioned the cage when done upgrading, so hopefully he'll trip different motion sensors and we can get some good piccys next time! Turkey carcass ought to draw him out!

[Zombie_Stomp]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

I repositioned the cage when done upgrading, so hopefully he'll trip different motion sensors and we can get some good piccys next time! Turkey carcass ought to draw him out!

Eff that, boil the turkey carcass in a deep pot to get awesome turkey stock. Use a bit of vinegar to draw out the calcium for nutritional value. Eat all but the 'gobble.' (taken from the pig scavenging philosophy of 'eat all but the squeal').

[kirkster70]

The guinea pig palace is finally 100% complete. My girl will be home from school any minute, and I'm hoping she loves it!



Warpy, warpy! I don't think there is a straight or square line on the whole project due to all the heat that went into it. Oh, well. I did the best I could and got lots of hood time with the TIG.



4 doors open for catching the critter, and for feeding and cleaning duties.



Cabinet hinges from a remodel, 1/4" polycarbonate left over from tractor cab windows, EMT strap for the water bottle. I bought the hasps and some 1/2" x 1/8" aluminum angle from the hardware store to finish everything off.



Nothing fancy, but there it is. Now I have a little more garage space and can move onto another project.

Getting ready to put it into service here in a bit...

[chapman2012]

How does piggie like it?