Making good progress on the lawn roller. At this point I have the frame about 2/3 done, plugged the pipe holes in the tank, fabbed the flange bearing plates and got one side mounted, axles done and filled it with concrete. It's all coming together well. The tip above about finding center worked well for the flat end. For the domed end I used a carpenter's square and measured from various locations (same distance as the bottom) and found center that way.
This is the basic mock-up of how the frame, axles and bearings will work:
Here's how I made sure the axles were lined up with each other and the frame. I used a hole saw to cut a 1" hole in both frame sides while they were clamped together (backwards), then I ran a single rod through both with enough separation between the frame sides to allow me to cut the axle in half after welding. This also allows the axles to go through the frame to weld on both sides.
This shows the axles completely welded up. Added gussets to support them. They are welded around the rod on both sides of the angle iron, along both sides where the axle that touches the frame and, of course, at the gussets. Should be stout.
Bearing support plate mounted on one end:
Filled the pipe thread holes where the softener's original plumbing went through:
Had to make room for the bolt heads for the bearing plate on the other side. This was so the plate can rest flush and be welded to the tank end. That's not done yet because I had to fill the tank with concrete first.
Should be done by tomorrow. Just have to add the back plate across the frame rails for stability and to hang suitcase weights off of and then make a hitch at the front. The way I've designed it I can remove the tank from the frame and take the bearings off. This will be useful if I have to replace the bearings or other fixing.
Rob