New shop started

Big Barn · Feb 16, 2020

Code54 said:
Same here - not sure why they stopped, guessing liability?

My buddies run a scrap yard. They cite liability concerns and the fact they don’t miss the PITA customers.

plastikosmd · Feb 16, 2020

I don’t get to pick over the scrap pile itself, (anything potentially seen as value) is picked out by the employees and then set aside in a separate area for you to go through. Sort of like a large flea market.

Big Barn · Feb 17, 2020

Still jealous.

plastikosmd · Feb 17, 2020

Agree

I’m lucky

plastikosmd · Feb 21, 2020

Got hydraulics working on the Stratton
Now some parts to make (arms/top link)
According to the Brochure For the lift the installation is 14 hours. I’d say that’s reasonably accurate (although I had to make a lot of new parts and rebuild the pump which slowed me down.)

plastikosmd · Mar 1, 2020

Time to start making the top link part that was missing from my Stratton lift. Copying some pics on the internet, I needed some 3/8 plate and channel.

Hit the scrapyard and found a 4” channel that was 8 ft long or a piece of 3” with some tabs welded in. Couldn’t bring myself to cut up the beautiful 4 inch piece so out came the torch and a grinder and an hour of wasted time to make a beautiful piece of 3 inch channel. (I have an issue hoarding steel, I always will tend to make do with the smallest possible junk piece so I can save the bigger pieces for that future project that never seems to come around LOL)

After drilling the mount holes, The next step is to mock up the top link bracket which Hass to be at an angle so that the tailgate can still be removed. Note, helper 2x4 to hold the tailgate at release point.

plastikosmd · Mar 1, 2020

More scrap, I cut a piece off those 3/8 plate and tacked it back to itself so I could double it up, marked out the piece that was needed and use the plasma to cut both pieces at once.

Trial fit, tailgate slides out nicely. By no means a professional fabricator but it turned out well thus far. Next to drill the through holes for mounting and weld it in place

Big Barn · Mar 1, 2020

Nice work! I had to laugh about your choice of using the intact piece of 4” channel or the 3” with weldments. I feel the same way and do the same thing all the time. LOL.

Kyle_in_Tex · Mar 1, 2020

Nice.

You mind I ask what you pay for scrap steel?

plastikosmd · Mar 1, 2020

Brothers Big barn

That big angle was 120 lbs, small piece was 20 or so
I paid 30$

About done for today
Tacked them together and drilled

Prepped for welding

Also made a (more solid) plastic template if someone out there needs one of these again

plastikosmd · Mar 7, 2020

Ok arms installed, just need to add stabilizer links

Big Barn · Mar 7, 2020

Looks awesome. What’s the plan for the stabilizer links? Are they Stratton supplied or do you have to make your own? Bars? Chain and turnbuckle? Internal sway blocks?

I couldn’t see enough detail to tell what would work.

I had a whole pallet (well 6 or 7) of those Category 2 JD quick hitches. I kept one and sold the rest.

plastikosmd · Mar 7, 2020

Has chains already
There is a couple bars I have to order. Nothing complex
Stratton is no more, sadly. This lift was the last generation of 3 pt lifts for the jeep. Personally, I think the best one. In the original design, the goal was not to alter any of the jeep functions (ground clearance, bed space, etc)
Once the gas tank was moved from under the seat to under the bed, the lift had no place to go
If u go here:

Stratton 3 point hitch - The CJ2A Page Forums - Page 1

U can see the bars.

Mine still works well with chains

daugen · Mar 8, 2020

this is one impressive project, fun to watch you make progress with it.

If you weld, hard not to hoard metal pieces. I'm a terrible welder but have a nice pile of small pieces ready for something.
I even keep my old worn out mower blades in case a small chunk of strong steel is needed. It's cutting them up that is always the
hard part for me without a plasma cutter or a power metal saw. Just hand power equipment with diamond wheels.

plastikosmd · Mar 8, 2020

I used a torch for years. Frankly, I use my m18 fuel grinder with a cut off wheel more than anything. Unless I’m cutting a pattern or plate, the m18 gets me by (and is quick!)
I tried the diamond a while and went back to the diablo 5”, 1mm thick abrasive wheel. They cut like a hot knife and being relatively thin require less energy (that’s great for the battery.)

Another great thing to save are the cut off pieces shaped like triangles (of all sizes)
I have a 5 gallon bucket of these and are my go-to for gussets.

Big Barn · Mar 8, 2020

plastikosmd said:
Another great thing to save are the cut off pieces shaped like triangles (of all sizes)
I have a 5 gallon bucket of these and are my go-to for gussets.

Me too!!

Plus all the centers and slugs from using the hole saw. And the arcs left over from large circles cut with the torch or plasma.

daugen · Mar 12, 2020

it's not like those saved pieces are going to wear out...so why not.
It is so satisfying to go looking for a piece that size, and find it.
My metal pieces are all stored in a metal trash can.
Tractor Supply has a small selection of metal but pretty pricey.