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

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Yeah, I'm surprised I get anything done just being on here! I found a site called jalopy journal? or something like that when searching "homemade gantry". I found a thread 80 or so pages long with nothing but homemade tools. I need to wade back through that when I make time! Very talented individuals out there.

Same owner! "BEWARE"!!!!!!

Jim

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Still waiting on wheels to figure out lower leg support, so I do what still needs done...




Young guys, don't get old. This is what you can look forward to. Being excited about a fresh painted I-beam. I'll be playing in the toilet before long.

Old? You obviously are not!

Jim

[kirkster70]

^ Well, I'm twice the age of what I'd consider young.

But, I'm also half the age of what I'd consider old.

Sooo..... I guess the mid-life crisis shoud be happening in 3...2...

[100mpg]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

No luck on playing in the snow yet. Just sloppy, wet, heavy mess less than 3" deep. More on the way tomorrow night. I was just telling my dad today that if I don't get to play in the snow this year, the tractor may go bye-bye to get my hands on a quality lathe and some tooling. Ghetto ecomonics may strike again soon.

How much....I got dibs. My BIL has a house upstate. It snows A LOT up there.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by 100mpg

How much....I got dibs. My BIL has a house upstate. It snows A LOT up there.

There's one way nicer than mine on ebay right now in Maine.

He asking about what I'd be asking for mine...









^ I had no idea the cab did this. Nice design, there.


Complete with Curtis Cab and 42" blower.

[100mpg]

That IS nice and shiny! And are you kidding? The cab is called Curtis? What is the name or your cab, Kirks? Thats close...I think you got a lawsuit right there! or maybe you could get sued....quick change the name! where is it? my google fu is weak...

Originally Posted by kirkster70

There's one way nicer than mine on ebay right now in Maine.

He asking about what I'd be asking for mine...



^ I had no idea the cab did this. Nice design, there.


Complete with Curtis Cab and 42" blower.

[kirkster70]

Mine should be called "Redneck Rattletrap"


Morning coffee is over. Time to make the donuts. Heheheh.......

[9Dave]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Sooo..... I guess the mid-life crisis shoud be happening in 3...2...

You mean all this metal working and beam painting is NOT your mid-life crisis?

And while we are talking about snow removal, could you pls send over a KirKab for this?


It got a bit chilly on Saturday.

I had to add some weight to the front to counteract the 3ph blade, so I just chunked up some 3/4" plate I had and added it on top of the suitcase weights. There is a front receiver, so I just used a long bolt and attached them to a drawbar I had, and used a J bolt to go through the handle on one of the suitcase weights.

At $0.25 a pound, it was cheaper to use the steel than buy more suitcase weights. 100 lbs of steel for $25 vs. 2 42 lb suitcase weights for about $60 each. When the weather gets nicer, I'll paint them a nice JD green.

[kirkster70]

Originally Posted by 9Dave

You mean all this metal working and beam painting is NOT your mid-life crisis?

And while we are talking about snow removal, could you pls send over a KirKab for this?


It got a bit chilly on Saturday.

I had to add some weight to the front to counteract the 3ph blade, so I just chunked up some 3/4" plate I had and added it on top of the suitcase weights. There is a front receiver, so I just used a long bolt and attached them to a drawbar I had, and used a J bolt to go through the handle on one of the suitcase weights.

At $0.25 a pound, it was cheaper to use the steel than buy more suitcase weights. 100 lbs of steel for $25 vs. 2 42 lb suitcase weights for about $60 each. When the weather gets nicer, I'll paint them a nice JD green.

^ Now THAT looks like fun!!!! Howz about sending some snow my way, would ya'?

If we ever do get snow, I'll think about you when I have to turn the heater down from being too hot. Now that's just plain mean.

[kirkster70]

Come-along mounts fabbed from left over 4" square tube scraps. They will also double as tie down points once all my buddies find about this gantry. A case of beer a day, boys. A CASE, not a 12 pack, you bunch of cheapskates.



Joint fit-up. I always try to make my outside corners this way whenever possible for good fill. Notice also that the square tube has radiused corners. That means my welds are as deep as they are wide.



Blueing before brushing weld.



Flatness of weld...



...just like on the leg joints.



Top joint. Notice the slight undercut on each part? I'm not really sure where all the "not enough penetration" comments keep coming from. You guys must be seeing something I'm not.



Inside pocket penetration.

More piccys in a bit...

[kirkster70]

Yep. I like that a lot. Plenty of strength.



I made the mounts protrude just enough so that the come-along clears the post sleeve to keep from marring the soon-to-be painted finish.



Me likey.

Just waiting on the wheels.... FedEx managed to lose yet another order. How is that even possible? Probably a 30lb box of large wheels - lost. The best part? I paid extra for expedited shipping. Grumble, grumble, piss, moan. Oh well, it could always be worse.

[victor441]

Originally Posted by 9Dave

Welper YS-50

I picked up a pair when I was at the Lincoln school after the instructor gave me crap about my cheap retail Lincoln branded Matadors.

They cut wire cleanly, clean nozzles well, and remove tips and nozzles without chewing them up.

+1 on the Welper YS-50's, bought mine along with my welder years ago and they are very well made (in Japan) and have held up....I also end up using them for all sorts of non-welding work quite often, they would be worthwhile even without a welder, the spring loaded jaws are very handy

[xcflyn]

Originally Posted by victor441

+1 on the Welper YS-50's, bought mine along with my welder years ago and they are very well made (in Japan) and have held up....I also end up using them for all sorts of non-welding work quite often, they would be worthwhile even without a welder, the spring loaded jaws are very handy

+2 welpers are the way to go !
Can last for years of abuse

[kirkster70]

Thanks, Victor, Dan, and Dave!

Gotta get me sum Welpers!!!

[100mpg]

Originally Posted by kirkster70

Just waiting on the wheels.... FedEx managed to lose yet another order. How is that even possible? Probably a 30lb box of large wheels - lost. The best part? I paid extra for expedited shipping. Grumble, grumble, piss, moan. Oh well, it could always be worse.

The UPS guy stole them.

It is looking good!