Thread: Everybody that is currently building a car...

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Whats realy cool is those parts realy never get hot

Very cool Alan! Wouldn't that be a nice addition for frame building!

Spent a few hours working on pieces for my pickup, specifically the skin (20ga.) for the inside of the racerback fairing. Transferred the templates to a sheet of 20ga. and cut them out--3 pieces. I got one piece trimmed, fit, and cleco'd into place... If nothing comes up maybe I can weld it in place, then fit and weld the other 2 pieces tomorrow. Sure is fun to just take a few hours and mess around with one of my own rides for a change!!! When the Plymouth and the roadster (customer cars) are done and gone, think I'll just quit doing cars for others and build some of my own. Trying to get the pickup done and sold, then the 'maro is next to get finished and sold which should generate enough $$$$$ to put the '57 together!!!!

It's a never ending cycle huh Dave? So many projects.............so little time.

I got a little more shop time in to whittle down my "need to do" list so I can get back to my "want to do" list (the "Z").

Over the Christmas/New Year holiday I've been working on the scaffolding (still). The 6' version is done but for a few little accessories to make everything as convenient as possible. That's the set up I'll be using most of the time. But, for those times I need to get a little higher I'm workin' on phase 2, a 12' lift.

I started by building a set of forks to fit the receivers on the deck.




It will lock on with the same receiver I use to lock the 6' forks to the deck. Hard to see in this pic but there are 2 receivers stacked on top of each other under the deck. Bottom receiver (where the pin is in this pic.) locks the deck to the trailer rack. Move it to the top receiver & it's unlocked from the trailer rack & locked to the Bobcat forks.



When I built the backhoe attachment many years ago, I never really finished the arm that controls the bucket. I just drilled a 3/4" hole in a square tube & pinned it with round stock I turned on the lathe. Over the years the holes got a little elongated so there was a lot of slop. No big deal when diggin' a ditch, but not so good for stability of a deck.

So, to speed up the upgrade process, I went to the local farm supply store & picked up a draw bar link. It was a little too long and adjustable, which I don't need, but it did have nice 3/4" hiem joint ends. A little cuttin' & weldin" & now linkage is nice & tight.



It was a pretty tight fit even before the added hardware. I 'hink it is all going to fit on the trailer though, barely.



After a couple redesigns I have it all tacked together & ready to weld, add braces, gussets & fish plate. I had to be able to pick the deck off the trailer with no clearance issues, load/unload the forks on the storage rack with no clearance issues, unhook the backhoe from the forks and have it load/unload from it's storage rack with no clearance issues & still have it braced in the right places to be strong enough to do the job & not weigh too much. I also wanted it riding as low on the trailer as possible because I just want to keep everything as compact as possible.



The deck goes from about 3' at it's lowest point, to 12' at it's highest. Ladders are 16' so that should work out goota'. I could build it so the deck goes way to the ground or build it so the deck is set back over the bucket (better I/C). I opted for the better I/C.





Mock up to see where the Forks could be stored best.




I ended up taking the rack off the trailer to make the modifications. The backhoe had to be relocated 2" forward X 1.25' higher & the bucket needed to be set in a different position to get the needed clearance on the rack & still be able to pick any attachment without clearance issues with another attachment, sign posts, framing material or signs. Yup, need to have room for signs on a sign wagon.



The other day I picked up the stuff to build outriggers for the track loader. The challenge will be to make them easy to install / remove / store & all while not causing any "clearance issues". Since the Bobcat is a pretty compact unit to start with there will be a fair amount of head scrathin' involved. I usually come up with these hair brained ideas at odd times (can't sleep at night, workin' on routine jobs, etc.). I've come up with a few of what I thought were great ideas, only to look at the Bobcat & realized something or other was in the way. I hink' though, I have a plan now. We shall see.

Here's a shot of the 6' set-up on the job site. Ladders lock on adjustable brackets so when I move the deck everything moves as one unit. Works as advertised so far.

Kewl deal Pro!!!! I'm really good at head scratchin', want me to help you with that???? Juz lemme know when!

Start scratchin' Dave.

Okay, doin' it! Matter of fact, while you'r at it think aluminum door hinges for a '57 Chevy!!!!

Over the weekend and today, I got the inside skin put on the Racerback fairing for my pickup, everything is filled, smoothed, epoxy primed, and hi build primed for the final blocking, then time to paint it and the tailgate. Only thing left for body work after that will be the bed cap.

Started on the garnish moldings for the windshield in the Plymouth today. going ok so far, just need a good plan for the top piece to hide the antenna wiring, etc. Waiting on the Big Brown Truck to bring the rest of the pieces for the A/C and heat system so I can get the inside of the car wrapped up. It's not done yet, but I can see the end from here!!!!!!!!!!!

Post some pics Dave

Yeah, I will eventually when things go together.... Just tired of having to argue about everything I post, ya know???

I hear yah. Some people seem to just have to put us in our place reguarless of the fact that's where we are! I like to share here, and have gotten used to the random attacks, just got to let the others vent. Sometimes their advice saves me trouble down the line! Most of the time it's just a difference of opinion, or other life experiences than mine!

Good news, it all fits. Forks, Bucket, Auger, Backhoe, Backhoe Forks. Plenty of room. I took the forks off on the bottom pic., they just slip on. Less cluttered that way.







Dave, just pick up a block of aluminum & whittle away anything that doesn't look like a hinge. Presto, there they are.

Kewl deal!!!! Now you've got something really safe to put up your Christmas decorations with!!!!!!

Hey all, good to see everyone is well! Pro....that scaffold looks like it'll work great. Years ago when I was working in industrial maintenance, we did something similar, only a platform with room for four and rails to make it safer. Those things work great!

I haven't been working on anything at the time being in the shop, but I did just buy my first TIG welder for frame work and more importantly for sheet metal mods. Looking forward to its first use.

David