You are doing a great job. I have linked to your build a couple times when guys say "If I had a shop I could". Hell you are building a freight train of a truck in your drive way with limited tools.

A milling machine would be nice but with plasma cutter and a bigger drill press you would be surprised at what you can do.

If you get the chance to get a plasma cutter DO IT you can make a cart that your welder sits above your welder. or visa versa.

 

Thanks for the kind words....I appreciate it.

But your idea on the double stacked cart for a plasma cutter is a great idea. Great...now I have very little excuse to go find myself a plasma cutter....

 

See regardless of what my wife says I am good for something after all..

Just kidding. she wants to get me something for "Me" (Not the truck) for my birthday. So she reasoned that since I don't "need" a bird bath hood that I just want one.That's what I get. That is when I find one.

 

Some fun with the plasma cutter this morning. First I made a template for the side plates for my front spring hangers. That way they all come out the same plus if I ever want to make more it is easy

First picture.
I started with a piece of 10 gauge plate that just happened to be the right length. I measured down 2.75" and scribed a line across the plate then measured in 1" and 3" and center punched the spots where the lines crossed. I then drilled a 1/8" pilot hole next I drilled them out to 1/2" with a step drill.
Next I found a 1.5" OD washer that fit a 1/2" bolt. I put the bolt/washer in a hole and tightened a nut finger tight and scribed around the washer. same with the other hole. Then roughly scribed the outline of the finished part.

Second and third pictures.
My plasma cutter cuts 1/8" from the outside of the drag tip to the inside of the flame where it cuts. Knowing that and that a scrap piece of 10 gauge is .130"( slightly more than 1/8") I use this piece to space the guide I use to cut straight edges.

More later

 

Next was to cut the straight edges. Then To do the lower radiuses using the washers and bolts. After that a bit of sanding with a 120 grit disk. Next WE put it to use. Note: In the last picture I ended up with a little nub. I figure that is better than going that much too far and having to weld it up and sand three sides instead of one. Remember if your template has a davot all the parts you cut will also.

 

The next step is to line up the top edge of the template with the top of the plate to be cut and clamp. Next is to transfer punch the holes and drill to 1/2" I start at 1/8" then go in 1/8" increments. So that 's 1/8"1/4",3/8",1/2"

Then run the tip of the plasma cutter around the template.

The last pic is three parts stacked. a little sanding with a #36 disk then a #80 will match them up.

 

You keep taunting me with your plasma cutter.....

Those plates look great. I like the step by step on how to make them all the same. I find it very informative. Always good to have additional ways to build things in the back of your mind.

 

Thanks and I hope it helps someone that may be looking for new ways to make things.I am always trying to find better ways to build things.

 

Nice workup, Mcknittle....

I guess you work for either a scrap yard, or a trucking company ? All those big rig drums behind your work station.....


BTW, Thanks for making me feel 58 years old, instead of the 47 I really am. Time to change the date stamp in your camera, man !!! I'm old enough, thank you !

 

Yeah we have a 52 Peterbilt logging truck. that is my shop camera and I keep forgetting to turn off the date stamp.

 

Finally got some nice weather that I wasn't busy with something else.

I got my spring hangers welded up. They need some minor tuning to all fit together better. but this in the basic idea.

There are holes for the stock front springs and also a set 2" forward for a future experiment. The hangers also mount the springs 5/8" lower to match the 3 1/2" rear blocks I pirated from a wrecking yard 1/2 ton.

 

When you say "front springs" you mean the front hangers for the rear springs right?

 

That is the front hanger for the front springs he just finished.
He is doing a 2wd to 4x4 swap using super cool custom made STUFF.
NICE WORK!

 

That is exactly what it is. And thanks for the compliment.

 

No this replaces the front spring hangers right behind the front bumper. I made these to replace the chewed up stock ones off my donor truck. The Brace runs parallel to the stock cross member.


If the longer front spring "experiment" works I will probably do a shackle flip to get rid of the spacer blocks on the rear axle.