Another bed rail production

slydog · Feb 19, 2005

Was reading the post's on this thread Drawbar lock this morning.

Since I am in need of one, I got out the mig and the leftover bedrail and made this. Probably could have bought several for the 3 or so hours I piddled on it, but it was fun building my own. Went over and used my neighbors plasma cutter. That is one sweeeeeet tool! Wish they weren't so expensive for the weekend welder. Well, here are a couple of pics. Not much, but it's satisfying building something useful myself.

slydog · Feb 19, 2005

One more picture.

slydog · Feb 19, 2005

Last shot. I was guessing and just eyeballing for size. I'm sure it will fit, but may be a just a little sloppy. Figure I can do a little adjusting once I get it on the tractor. I was quite proud of how my welding has improved.

jinman · Feb 22, 2005

Nice job, Ken. You could have bought one, but you wouldn't have had nearly as much fun nor got to smell welding and paint fumes all in one day. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

GerardC · Feb 22, 2005

Nice job. Now lets get a shot of it on the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Gerard

jd2210va · Feb 22, 2005

Ken,

Looks good! I hope to start experiencing some of the joy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif(and frustrations? /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) of "fabricate it yourself". I recently ordered a small mig machine to get me started (no previous hands-on welding experience). What size mig welder are you using, if you don't mind me asking?

slydog · Feb 23, 2005

Don't mind at all..it's a lincoln 135 and I use it with argon mix. And thanks for the kind comments! I felt really stupid after posting it, because there really is nothing to it. Especially compared to all this great stuff you guys build. But since it was only my second welding job, I needed to see it on the page for my own ego purposes /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif It's so fun using this little welder. I never had any idea I would enjoy playing with it so much.

slydog · Feb 23, 2005

( Nice job. Now lets get a shot of it on the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Gerard )

Gerarrd, I've got some great pics of my old 640 that I just need to scan and put up on here. I got them back yesterday, but just haven't had the time to put em up. I'll try to get to that tomorrow.

jd2210va · Feb 23, 2005

Ken, I may have to get some pointers from you on the welder, being that I ordered a Millermatic 135. I don't have any suitable 220V receptacles at the ready so I went with a 110V machine to get started and see if I can get the technique down and get a feel for how much I'd use it........and it's supposed to be simple to use, right?! To hear that's only your second welding job is encouraging to me! I'll be following all your projects now /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif!

There are some very skilled craftsmen/fabricators that turn out professional grade projects on TBN. I don't think I'll be giving them any competition in the near future /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif! But I am looking forward to being able to do some small scale fabrication with the welder and like you, have some fun with it!

yugo · Feb 23, 2005

Ken - I'm with you - it's satisfying to build your own. My wife encourages me to do my "barnyard engineering" - It keeps me out of the pool halls. Great idea to use bedrails - the attic is full of them. Great job! Soon, I'll post my latest project. It'll be good for a good laugh. (3-point, PTO verticutter/seeder/press roller, for re-seeding established lawn) Keep up the good work - Yugo

johndeere2210 · Feb 23, 2005

Nice job. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

slydog · Feb 24, 2005

( Great idea to use bedrails - the attic is full of them. Yugo )

Well..I thought so too. Untill I tried to drill holes in it. My drill press was mostly useless as it undoubtedly was too fast. I bought new titanium bits, used old bits, broke new bits, etc etc. The only thing I could seem to do was drill a 3/16" pilot hole with my 1/2 drill motor. I needed about a 3/8 inch hole. I finally gave up and went next door for the plasma cutter. Wish I had one of those, but they arent cheap.

Be glad to give you any "beginners" advice, but it will be totally from a few experiences and absolutely no other knowledge. Best I can offer at the moment is, GO SLOW...watch your puddle, get your penetration, and get plenty of wire in your weld. Try to make it a nice, flowing continuous weld by going slow enough that you don't have to backtrack. At first I thought the recommended wire speed was too fast, but after a little learning realized it was actually too slow, and I had to bump it up a half a notch or so. Clean all rust and paint off first if at all possible as you absolutely need a good ground, and clamp it close to your working area.

Get you a lot of good wide mouth vice type clamps, a set of welding magnets are handy(all at Homier.com....cheap!), a self darkening hood (TSC $59), and a good vice (Harbor Frieght $39). Keep a set of small wire dikes in your pocket for cutting off the long runout wire till you get the hang of "buzzing" it off. Also, my Homier angle grinder, and portable ban saw were cheap and have been VERY handy. If at all possible, go with the Argon mixed gas with your mig. A lot cleaner welding with less splatter.

Best of luck, you will thoroughly enjoy it.

slydog · Feb 27, 2005

( Nice job. Now lets get a shot of it on the tractor. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Gerard )

Finally got some pics of my tractor uploaded. Not with my new fabrication on it yet however. Here's a link to my album here on TBN. Slydogs Gallery

GerardC · Feb 27, 2005

That's a nice looking tractor you have there. Looks like a real workhorse. Gerard

AMP762 · Feb 27, 2005

The best advise I can give is get you a good set of grinding burrs,got mine off snap on truck(not cheap)bed rails will be no promlem,with a die grinder.

slydog · Feb 27, 2005

( The best advise I can give is get you a good set of grinding burrs,got mine off snap on truck(not cheap)bed rails will be no promlem,with a die grinder. )

Thanks for that advice! I couldnt think of anything to use short of a blow torch or plama cutter.