Implement for a Different Kind of Horsepower

[grsthegreat]

. It's always when I'm grinding that I catch myself on fire.

that reminded me of a very funny thing that happened to me. I had left some black cat fireworks in the magnetic parts tray on my welding table after cleaning out my van (dont even know why they were in my van to begin with). So im grinding away on a piece of metal and the fuse to the firecracker ignites unknown to me. It blows up ant the piece of metal goes flying off over my head and i hit the ground......

funny now... but i think i had to change my drawers :laughing:

 

[Iplayfarmer]

that reminded me of a very funny thing that happened to me. I had left some black cat fireworks in the magnetic parts tray on my welding table after cleaning out my van (dont even know why they were in my van to begin with). So im grinding away on a piece of metal and the fuse to the firecracker ignites unknown to me. It blows up ant the piece of metal goes flying off over my head and i hit the ground......

funny now... but i think i had to change my drawers :laughing:

I bet that would give a guy quite a scare. I'm learning to look both ways before I start grinding. A pile of sawdust, a gas can, or a wad of rags could find their way into the path of the sparks quite easily in my tiny shop.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

More progress. The sockets to attach the shafts are welded on now. I also welded on some fishplating on some of the higher stress seams. Sorry. No picture of the plating. My camera gave the low battery alarm after I took the picture of the shaft sockets.

The plan with the socket system for the shafts is that I can use either a set of shafts for a single horse or a tongue and double tree for a team.

 

[dstig1]

Interesting. And to add to the safety **** element - get your daughter longer gloves to cover up her wrists (see early post pic). UV burn ain't no fun. Granted for a couple brief angle iron welds it likely isn't an issue but just like having them put on the seat belt from age 3-4, it makes a good life-long habit.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I've been working on this cart today some more. I've been mostly adding more reinforcing plates. I also started adding a rail. My intention is be able to put stuff under the seat to carry. My hope is that the rail will keep it from falling out along the way.

I stopped for lunch, so I thought I'd post a few pictures...

Picture 1: Fish plate for the dash board
Picture 2: Left side rail and fish plates

 

[Iplayfarmer]

Here's another shot at dinner time...

 

[Iplayfarmer]

A few more progress pics from today's work.

The first picture is the setup so I could get the shafts right. They angle in and up.
The second picture is what I got done on the cart tonight.
The third picture is the seat and back with the foam glued on ready for vinyl. I ran out of contact cement, so I'll get some more tomorrow. I plan to glue the vinyl to the foam and then tack it around the bottom with staples.

 

[grsthegreat]

looking real good so far. my only 2 suggestions from my own experiences

1. Turn out the ends of the shafts a bit and seal the holes smooth

2. as per pic add a stiffener on both shafts. I have broken the shafts at connection posts before.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

looking real good so far. my only 2 suggestions from my own experiences

1. Turn out the ends of the shafts a bit and seal the holes smooth

2. as per pic add a stiffener on both shafts. I have broken the shafts at connection posts before.

Thanks for the input. Sealing the ends of the shafts is definately in the plan.

As for the angle braces for the shafts, I'll have to think it through. The original plan is to make the shafts interchangeable. I don't know a good way to add the braces and still be able to easily switch the shafts for a tongue. The shafts are made of 1 1/2" Schedule 40 pipe welded to a 1/4" wall 2" square tube. That seems pretty hefty to me.

 

[grsthegreat]

Thanks for the input. Sealing the ends of the shafts is definately in the plan.

As for the angle braces for the shafts, I'll have to think it through. The original plan is to make the shafts interchangeable. I don't know a good way to add the braces and still be able to easily switch the shafts for a tongue. The shafts are made of 1 1/2" Schedule 40 pipe welded to a 1/4" wall 2" square tube. That seems pretty hefty to me.

the one i had also had removable shafts. the angle bracket was welded to the shaft but the end that attached to the cart was connected with a removable nut just like the shafts were.

the one cart we had that didnt have the support snapped at the connection. luckily it didnt fully break while driving. i found the stress cracks before a major accident happened.