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

[JimVonBaden]

From what I can see, these are off to a stellar start! I'm betting they will rival the best on the market, or better! Beautiful work!

Jim

[Zombie_Stomp]

I am sending a PM. I got to typing and realized it was better suited for message material than public. I have mostly nothing but support and compliments to add to the thread publicly, however. I must say that you and I have a very similar set of skills and interests, especially as it applies to paint, metal, and... well, not electrician stuff. I'm not sure where you get that. But we have a lot in common, I'll say that. Oh, we both like beer. What kind do you drink, I'll be sure to bring you some when that warm time of year occurs.

[CaptTeach]

I've been wanting a box/pan brake for a while This just enforces that - DAMNIT!!!

[9Dave]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Yeppers. Me likey! With any luck, I'll be firing up the TIG tomorrow. I also plan on meeting with a local powdercoater in the morning. I'm going to do my best to knock these puppies out of the park.

Until next time...

I had a set of Happy Trails knockoffs powdercoated for my KLR. (insert your own joke here about the cost of powdercoating being more than the value of the bike ) It was GREAT to be able to put stuff inside them without getting that nasty black aluminum crap all over everything

Have you been noting your measurements so you can make some templates and shear all the pieces first and not have to cut them out after the fact?

[Rhyno]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

From my buddy Ken, who is the smart electrician. I are the dum one.

"...following a 2% voltage drop calculation, 240V, 50A circuit; max. distance on #6 is 98'. #4 is good for 156'."


BTW - I did use #6, but brain-farted when I said #8. I told u I is the dum one. Thanks, Ken!

Thanks......

[gunnabuild1]

Get one of these,aluminium deburrer.

Just a cheapie from any HF style place.I'm an aluminium fabricator and I use mine pretty regular at work, nice clean edge every time,just a nice even swipe and your done.Although I did take mine off the apprentice at work a few weeks ago, some people just dont get that technique is more effective than force.
Using a file drives me nuts now.
Nice work again.

[phreakingeek]

i was thinking the same thing...might be worth a few extra minutes to lay some cardboard on the separate pieces to cut templates prior to welding them together. that way you can use the shear to cut all the pieces and save some time if you decide to go into production.

Originally Posted by 9Dave

I had a set of Happy Trails knockoffs powdercoated for my KLR. (insert your own joke here about the cost of powdercoating being more than the value of the bike ) It was GREAT to be able to put stuff inside them without getting that nasty black aluminum crap all over everything

Have you been noting your measurements so you can make some templates and shear all the pieces first and not have to cut them out after the fact?

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

From what I can see, these are off to a stellar start! I'm betting they will rival the best on the market, or better! Beautiful work!

Jim

Thanks, Jim!

I'm doing the best that this "3rd year welding rookie" knows how to do!

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by Zombie_Stomp

I am sending a PM. I got to typing and realized it was better suited for message material than public. I have mostly nothing but support and compliments to add to the thread publicly, however. I must say that you and I have a very similar set of skills and interests, especially as it applies to paint, metal, and... well, not electrician stuff. I'm not sure where you get that. But we have a lot in common, I'll say that. Oh, we both like beer. What kind do you drink, I'll be sure to bring you some when that warm time of year occurs.

Thanks, Joel!

I look forward to meeting you in the spring!

I like prefix beer. You know - the kind that has the word free in front of it.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by gunnabuild1

Get one of these,aluminium deburrer.

Just a cheapie from any HF style place.I'm an aluminium fabricator and I use mine pretty regular at work, nice clean edge every time,just a nice even swipe and your done.Although I did take mine off the apprentice at work a few weeks ago, some people just dont get that technique is more effective than force.
Using a file drives me nuts now.
Nice work again.

Thanks for the tip! I'll get one.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by phreakingeek

i was thinking the same thing...might be worth a few extra minutes to lay some cardboard on the separate pieces to cut templates prior to welding them together. that way you can use the shear to cut all the pieces and save some time if you decide to go into production.

Good idea. I'm keeping detailed notes on everything. I may be able to shear off the corners ahead of time, but the insets will still need to be manually cut. I'm guessing the big boy's have their patterns laser cut or stamped out...

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by 9Dave

I had a set of Happy Trails knockoffs powdercoated for my KLR. (insert your own joke here about the cost of powdercoating being more than the value of the bike ) It was GREAT to be able to put stuff inside them without getting that nasty black aluminum crap all over everything

Have you been noting your measurements so you can make some templates and shear all the pieces first and not have to cut them out after the fact?

I met with a local powdercoater yesterday. Very nice guy. He loved my front bumper and wants one for his shop truck!!!

[kirkster70]

All seams TIG welded.





Now I get fancy with the lids. 3rd time's a charm. Try one and two in the background. 1/8" wrong makes a huge difference here. I had to make a 1:1 scale drawing to measure the length of the angles to get them just right. My original 1/4" : 1" drawing had the width of a penstroke messing me all up.



Ends bent and sheared. The whole purpose of a finger brake is to do all this in one single piece. Not gonna' happen here. Maybe on a simple lid with no bevels. I had a heck of a time just doing this.



Bevel cuts and miter cuts on corners laid out. I'm letting the kiddos get their beauty sleep before I fire up the grinders at 4am.

DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JimVonBaden]

Looking great Kirk! I really like the lids too!

I can hardly wait to see them done!

Jim

[DirtyDog]

Beautiful work so far. As usual, us on-lookers have questions...

Why the "canyon cut" on the aft edge of the boxes? I understand that the sides are cut for lean angle and the front edges are cut for ankle protection. Is the back just replicated for symmetry or aesthetics?