Fun with square tubing too

Harv · Jun 5, 2002

A round of applause please!

You got it, Dude!

This thread is already destined to be a classic, even though the word "tractor" doesn't appear in it anywhere.

I am so psyched. All I need to get started on this project is:

- Time
- Money
- Welder
- Space to work
- Lots o' scrap iron
- Supportive and understanding wife

Hmmm... /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Maybe I'm not as close as I thought I was.

BTW -- I can't see the mess you're talking about. Is it hidden behind all that cool stuff you have laying around? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Keep 'em coming, Harv. Keep 'em coming.

Boomerboy · Jun 5, 2002

I love it! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif This is just what this forum is about - do it and show the pics! We all have that desire to do it ourselves. Sometimes it is just a few pics that kick us in the right place to get going!

Thanks Wroughtn_Harv!

MarkV · Jun 5, 2002

Darn you Harv, I’ve been buying woodworking tools for over thirty years and have enough to do most anything I want. Now you have me seeing metal scraps everywhere and no tools to work with. If my wife figures this out she will not be happy./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Great demonstration of experience, skill and ingenuity. Sure do enjoy your lessons and I hope you will keep them coming.

Ron, not bad camera work, now how about some of your blacksmithing.

MarkV

rotr · Jun 5, 2002

MarkV, you really don't want to add blacksmithing. Cause you will definitly need more money and time.

Basic equipment:
Anvil (150 lb or more) - new ones at about $4.50 to $8.00/lb.
Bandsaw (miter cuts) - cheap one about $240.00
Tongs - never have enough tongs - new, $35.00 ea and up
Coal or coke firepot - new bout 150, used bout 75
Blower for the firepot
Misc. lengths of 3" pipe for air feed from blower to firepot
Hammers - 2 pounders and up to 18 lb sledge (cross pien, rounding, ball pien, baby sledge, etc.)
Gas forge (propane 2-burner) about $450 and up
90 lb propane tank/connections/hoses/gauge
Coal (approx 1,000 lb to start) @ approx $15.00/100lb
Coke is in the same neighborhood
Propane (about $2.50/lb in this area)
Good sturdy, large machinest vise (or old post vise which is the best) - check out flea markets,trader sales, etc.

These items will get you started. You can improvise for the coal forge by adapting a brake drum or use a round BBQ grill for a short time

Also, you can start out without the gas forge and accessories to make it go. But, the rest of the stuff you will need.

As far a the metal, if it dosen't move, use it. Scrap is a wonderful resource and it tends to force you to become more creative than you would normally be.

Best to all.
Ron

rotr · Jun 5, 2002

MarkV, I forgot to add the welder - a definite gotta have.

wroughtn_harv · Jun 6, 2002

Mark if you're wanting to read about blacksmithing check out this Here's the organization I belong to nationally. Cruise through this site at your own risk.

this is the guys in the Austin area I joined awhile back.

The blacksmiths are a lot like tractor nutz. They're a rare breed.

EdKing · Jun 6, 2002

Harv, can you use a larger jig for bending 2 inch tubing, or does tubing that large require heating to get a good bend ? I want to make a canopy/FOPS for my tractor, and was wondering if I could bend the tubing for the front bar, or would it be easier just to weld the pieces together. The roll bar already on the tractor is bent, but I noticed the inner parts of the bends appear to be crimped.

mrcaptainbob · Jun 7, 2002

Springback.....

Harv, do you have to 'over' bend to compensate for springback? Or is that minimal? Also, what's the largest square cross section you've bent? Do you have a feel for how much wall thickness impacts deforming of the side walls?

centex · Jun 9, 2002

rotr, you mean welders don't you. I started out with just a oxy-acetylene rig and and a Lincoln buzz box and soon found I had to have a 250 amp Heliarc welder, a 225 amp wire feed welder, a spot welder, ... When I order electric service for my new workshop I have to get 200 amp service because of the Heliarc welder. I don't see how I could get along with just one welder! There are just too many things to build for a tractor to be limited by your welder. You have to have an understanding wife or one who gets over being mad quick.

centex · Jun 9, 2002

Harv, did you build Miss Hossfield or is she a commercial product? I would like ot see more pictures of her.
Thanks,

accordionman · Jun 9, 2002

HARV,
is that a #1, or #2 hossfeld bender? you sure have got a lot
of good stuff. all of that scrap iron is worth a lot.
accordionman
william l. brown

Inspector507 · Jun 9, 2002

Thats not just scrap iron. Each one is a potential "new project"

wroughtn_harv · Jun 9, 2002

Harv, did you build Miss Hossfield or is she a commercial product?

Evening Don,

Go Williams Lowbuck Tools also carries the Hossfield bender.

I picked mine up for seven and a half as is from an ad in the paper. I was about as lucky as winning the lottery.

But you might keep and eye open at the high school surplus shop equipment auctions. I once picked up a Number One Hossfield complete with all the dies and the trick storage box stand combination. It was a sealed bid deally do and I got it for a hundred and fifty three dollars. Again, luck, you gotta have it.

I use my Hossfield at least once a weak. I bend pipe, bar, round stock, angle iron etc. It's better than the bank owing you money.

wroughtn_harv · Jun 9, 2002

you sure have got a lot
of good stuff.

You haven't seen the half of it. I've got neat rocks from all over, gotta luv rocks. I've got some neat wood, wood is special, and then there's the iron, be still my heart. I can get the warmies just thinking about it........

Tomorrow I'm gonna make an aluminum tank for an indoor water fall a customer can't live with out. So maybe we ought to just define it all as "stuff". Real good "stuff".

micromike · Jun 11, 2002

Harv

Thanks for the excellent black smithing links!!

I've definately got to make one of those "pet carriers" for the neibhbors cat.

See the last picture in the series.

http://www.balconesforge.org/gallery/galish/galish.htm

Mike

wroughtn_harv · Jun 11, 2002

I sat next to Jim one of the days during the Rob Gunter demo. He apologized repeatedly and often for being so unpolitically correct. He also told me he found that design in an old blacksmithing book.

There was a glint in his eye that told me, well, I've found out there are some people who have character, and some people are it. <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.balconesforge.org/gallery/galish/galish.htm>He are it.</A>

You would truly love him. He's a toot. And I can't think of that pet carrier not break out a grin.

wroughtn_harv · Jun 11, 2002

I sat next to Jim one of the days during the Rob Gunter demo. He apologized repeatedly and often for being so unpolitically correct. He also told me he found that design in an old blacksmithing book.

There was a glint in his eye that told me, well, I've found out there are some people who have character, and some people are it. He are it

You would truly love him. He's a toot. And I can't think of that pet carrier not break out a grin.

EdDekker · Jun 12, 2002

I started with a TIG/Stick welder (Miller Maxstar 200) to build some accessaries for my tractor. Cutting steel to weld was slow so I added a Plasma cutter (Hypertherm PowerMax 600). I have not used the Plasma cutter yet, I am waiting for the electrician to run a 125 Amp sub panel in the garage for my tools.

I have been powering the welder from a 20 Amp 110 Volt line for thin work or from my generator (giving the welder 220V @25 Amps) for thicker work (the Maxstar adapts to the voltage supplied). The plasma cutter is forcing me to do better. The Plasma cutter needs more than the generator can provide(220V @ 50 Amps), so its time to improve the wiring.

Oh yes - the plasma cutter also requires more air than my compressor can deliver for more than a few seconds, so the sub panel will provide a 40 Amp circuit for a new compressor. ...

Maybe I should be standing up saying "My name is Ed and I and a Tool Addict"

EdKing · Jun 12, 2002

[blue[Maybe I should be standing up saying "My name is Ed and I and a Tool Addict" 

Welcome to the group, brother. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

LWFrisk · Jun 14, 2002

I have been following wroughtn_harv's posts too. In fact, I check back every day to see what he has posted. I think we need to all pitch in and make it worth his while to teach us all more about his work. Everything he says is really well put together and easy to understand, the photos are great too. He is a great teacher (and that is coming from a vocational teacher of 34 years in Auto and everything related and ending up in Computer Science). If I could hold the interest of my students the way he holds my attention, I would consider myself as a master teacher.

His posts on bending and fabricating got me to do a bit of a search for a bender for the hobiest. You guys may want to take a look at this one on sale at $64.99:

Type the following in your browser

www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=38470

or just

www.harborfreight.com
and enter item # 38470-3vga in search.

I am getting one and the scroll attachment for $19.99 too. My local store honors the Internet Web Sales with a printout of their specials so there is no shipping fee. Be careful, they have two identical, the other is $79.

It will not come close to Harv's benders, but looks like a great little tool for small stuff.

Have fun -- Leo in sunny California