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

[kelsow]

Now where is that bike porn thread?..

Simply amazing work Kirk.

[JimVonBaden]

Beautiful Kirk!

Jim

[JimVonBaden]

A little update on mine:

Took the old foam seals off and added these.



It wont stay crushed, and stands a bit taller for a better seal.




Also added some reflectivity:









Very happy with the panniers.

Oh, and I ordered the same pannier mounting hardware Kirk is no using. I like the way the attach!

Jim

[kirkster70]

Thanks guys!

Looking good, Jim!

I was just going to tell you that I ordered a 500' roll of the same gasket from Trim-Lok, and that I would retrofit yours for you... BTW, they show an intallation video of the guy mitering the corners just like you had talked about earlier - he doesn't cut all the way through and leaves it connected on the outside. They will also sell you a $300 hand tool to do the job.

Looksl ike you beat me to the punch.

[Rhyno]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

........

My lovely assistant helps model the left pannier. I have such a good wife!

If you can find a female to put up with your nonsense, you should do your best to hang onto her.



Flanges purposely bent long to trim out the radius for the gasket.



........

Here's another two cents....

Not only "Weld towards comfortable," but also "Weld towards mass/thickness." This will prevent/minimize the overheating and the top/inner corners from collapsing while trying to end the weld.

The next thing to learn will be how to do a "stop without cratering."

I see that you later trimmed the inside corner, so I guess that it didn't matter on this project.

You have learned a lot of skill, in a short amount of time. "Congratulations" on that, and also having/finding a "supporting Co-Pilot."

Keep up the good work!

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by Rhyno

Here's another two cents....

Not only "Weld towards comfortable," but also "Weld towards mass/thickness." This will prevent/minimize the overheating and the top/inner corners from collapsing while trying to end the weld.

The next thing to learn will be how to do a "stop without cratering."

I see that you later trimmed the inside corner, so I guess that it didn't matter on this project.

You have learned a lot of skill, in a short amount of time. "Congratulations" on that, and also having/finding a "supporting Co-Pilot."

Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Rhyno! Getting there little by little and learning more as I go...

[kirkster70]

In between gigs so I drop back to the "prototype panniers" that I'm building to learn a few things.

I'm making a hybrid lid that combines a beveled top, a slip hinge, and a bonus feature that I'm pretty excited about.













Above - all tacked up and checking for fit.



"Bonus" feature? A trap door in the lid for holding small items. I will use a compression latch here. I will also use a gasket that should make the door close to flush.

I'm hoping to have them to the powdercoater's tomorrow. These will go on my KLR! Upgrade, upgrade!

[gunnabuild1]

Saving me money living so far away,my partner thanks you


38 13/16" to the widest point. (38 25/32" if you want to get really technical - Heheheh) I don't know if that's good or bad, but I hope it's good!


Thank the deity of your choice I am so glad I was born in a metric country.I dont know how you work out those fractions all the time.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by gunnabuild1

Saving me money living so far away,my partner thanks you


38 13/16" to the widest point. (38 25/32" if you want to get really technical - Heheheh) I don't know if that's good or bad, but I hope it's good!


Thank the deity of your choice I am so glad I was born in a metric country.I dont know how you work out those fractions all the time.

985.01 mm. 'Zat better?

[gunnabuild1]

Thanks I'm a sloppy workman I'll skip the .01

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Thanks guys!

Looking good, Jim!

I was just going to tell you that I ordered a 500' roll of the same gasket from Trim-Lok, and that I would retrofit yours for you... BTW, they show an intallation video of the guy mitering the corners just like you had talked about earlier - he doesn't cut all the way through and leaves it connected on the outside. They will also sell you a $300 hand tool to do the job.

Looksl ike you beat me to the punch.

Thanks Kirk.

I decided against mitering the corner and figured I would just go around the bend whole. I looked at Jesse bags with a similar seal and that is how they did it. A good rain ride will tell the tale. I got enough to do it three times, so I can try again with a miter if needed.

Jim

[Dwreker]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Ding! Ding! Ding! Order Up!!! Come and get it. I'm home all day...

I freaking love these things!!! I cannot get over the quality...I kept going out onto the front porch last night to stare. Kirk, thank you, the panniers are great, these things look absolutely top notch!

I rode into work this morning because I just had to test them out. It was 23 degrees when i left the house, I don't have heated gear, but i figured "screw it, my new bags will keep me warm!" They didn't, but they did a fantastic job of holding my work clothes and lunch. I can take crap with me now!

If you ever have the opportunity to work with Kirk, jump on it. He is a really good guy and he will work with you to get you exactly what you want, plus he makes an excellent product.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

Thanks Kirk.

I decided against mitering the corner and figured I would just go around the bend whole. I looked at Jesse bags with a similar seal and that is how they did it. A good rain ride will tell the tale. I got enough to do it three times, so I can try again with a miter if needed.

Jim

I bought enough for 50 sets, so if you don't succeed by try 3, hit me up.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by Dwreker

I freaking love these things!!! I cannot get over the quality...I kept going out onto the front porch last night to stare. Kirk, thank you, the panniers are great, these things look absolutely top notch!

I rode into work this morning because I just had to test them out. It was 23 degrees when i left the house, I don't have heated gear, but i figured "screw it, my new bags will keep me warm!" They didn't, but they did a fantastic job of holding my work clothes and lunch. I can take crap with me now!

If you ever have the opportunity to work with Kirk, jump on it. He is a really good guy and he will work with you to get you exactly what you want, plus he makes an excellent product.

AWESOME!!!!!

Much thanks, David. It was fun working with you!

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

I bought enough for 50 sets, so if you don't succeed by try 3, hit me up.

Have you mitered one yet, and if so, what glue did you end up iseing to seal them from tearing?

Jim