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

^^^
looks like that dude raided Pinterest.

nice fire pit. Kirk, where do we place our orders?

Good catch! The way I was taught was , "never saddle a dead horse".



http://www.safteng.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=862&Itemid=178

Try his vendors thread, or PM.

the first diagram looks like ADV salute.

Nice work, Dave!

I wish I had a magical scrapyard where I live! They sure do have good "junk" there!

Thanks!

I learn something new every day on ADV. Thanks for pointing that out. I'll know next time.

Beautiful pics!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

Awsome thread, you sir are a talented guy. Best of luck with your endeavours.

I would have thought a rig like this would have gussets running at a 45 from the legs to the span...

Nope - Spanco doesn't use them. This is how it comes from the factory.

Nice shop, BTW. That's how we do the mower deck maintenance here at work, too. Except we use the 5 ton bridge crane.

OK Kirk. Here's the Spanco in action doing what I wanted to use it for.

Rather then removing the deck to change blades, I just jacked up the whole front end. I did use a couple lift straps over the beam as a backup to the chain hoist. I'm still searching for some tube to make my extended reach "jack stands".



And I think I may have found the reason why my deck has been cutting unevenly.



One of these things is not like the other, eh?

You know you're not supposed to mow rocks, right?

Pretty fun new playtoy, huh? I had the kids lifting me off the ground the other day. I sat in a small choker hanging from the hook while my little girl laughed with delight as she ran me up and down.

If I ever decide to upgrade to a 330 cubic foot argon tank (175lbs - ish) , I will use the gantry for that and save my back. It comes in handy all the time.

That's why I wanted one - to save my back. Not just for the mower deck, though wrestling that think under the tractor is a pain in the back while maneuvering it under the tractor and laying on the ground reattaching the drive shaft.

My investment in the gantry is much less than my medical deductible, and sooner than later I was going to be muscling some heavy piece of something and hurt something.

Plus it's cool.

Bump

I'm still alive.


Just busy over here, now!...

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=878499


I still have a bunch of rookie welding projects lined up, but not much time to get 'em knocked out anymore. I guess I could have worse problems.

...I still need to do that BBQ. I have a recently decomissioned 50gal water heater that would make a pretty cool chiminea (sp?) once I strip off all the insulation.

There's only so many hours in a day, but maybe I should devote one day a week to rookie welding projects. It only seems right. Plus, you guys don't need to be bashful. Take the thread and run with it.

This very much interests me. I would love to do something like that!

Jim

I've seen some guys do it and I think it would be pretty neat-o torpedo. Just need to allocate time to do it!!

Nothing really exciting, but I upgrade the come-alongs on the gantry.



USA made Sheave blocks from Tractor Supply for $17 and change...

...and USA made come-alongs for around $30 from Lowe's. Hard to find USA made items at either place, so I was pretty happy with the find.







I just bought a 330 cubic foot argon cylinder this morning (lying horizontal in the truck bed) because I'm going through the 125 cubic foot tanks in a little over a week's time. This will cut down some of my running around and make refills less expensive.

125 tank refill = $50.
330 tank refill = $75.

Yep, that will work. More for less is always a good thing.



I also whipped up some extensions for raising the beam an extra foot.



...and then made a chain to hoist the 175lb cylinder by its cap.

And then...nothing. Durn it! This happened a couple weeks ago when I was helping a friend with a repair. I push the button and nothing. 120V - check. ARGHHHHH! Oh well. I thought I would have a kewl photo of a massive tank dangling above the truck bed, but it was not to be. I have work to do, so I just slide the tank off the tailgate and roll it in the garage. Bummer.

I need to give the hoist a thorough once over. Probably a loose connection somewhere.

I certainly will once I get access to some cool welding gear! ( hint- hint;-)) we're getting close to our scheded man- date shop time aren't we?

Next week, isn't it?

Don't forget bear repellant.