Decided to share a project I am working on when away from the IT and Electronics Field. Wife wanted a utility trailer for new riding lawn mower and I wanted to save some money and use metal scrap and otherwise junk parts already available to save a couple hundred dollars; as well as metal work and making stuff like this is relaxing non stressful fun.
I made the axle from a metal pipe. I cut the pipe stock to make I.D reducers by cutting 1/2" pieces of pipe and measuring and cutting out from O.D of pipe and then tapping it on a anvil to close the open ring to make it fit snug into each end of the pipe. Welded these I.D reducer inserts in. Then welded 2 qty 13/16" spark plug sockets that I didnt need 4 of in my box of loose sockets. Welded 13/16" nuts into the sockets and mounted the 1998 Honda Civic wheel hubs to the axle. Then mounted 2 qty ( 21 year old pop up camper tires on rims to hubs). Then welded angle iron to the pipe axle to further strengthen it as well as give me a nice flat surface to weld the boxed frame to.
The Frame is made from a 1998 Honda Civic steel bumper that was taken from my Honda before it went to the junk yard. I cut the bumper in half and it became the left and right section of frame. Welded angle iron to both ends to box the frame in and make it strong and non flexible. Then cut 4 angle iron pieces make a very strong frame to axle mounts to hold the frame to the axle. *They act like book shelf ends but secure the axles angle iron strongly to the boxed frame. I didnt want to only weld linear frame to angle iron as for flexing would eventually fatigue the weld, so having these angle iron frame to axle mounts I have a X and Y axis weld which makes it way stronger and welds will not flex and fatigue and crack.
Then took a old bicycle rack that was broken and used the strong square steel bar to make the tow bar and attach that to the trailer frame. Notched out the angle iron and heated the tab with acetylene torch and bent the tab at 90 degrees to attach the hitch bar to the frame in 2 locations for a very strong build. Hitch pin is the same pin the bicycle rack used with the quick release clip. * Its best to heat and bend steel vs bending it at room temperature so the steel atoms bend and form to the new angle vs stress cracks when bent at 90 degrees cold, as well as it bends so easily when the steel is cherry red.
Now I just need to paintthe frame to prevent rust, get some carriage bolts and use a bunch of 2 x 6's that i have to make the wooden boxed in bed for it, then stain it with extra water repellent deck stain I have on hand from a deck project and then it will be all done.
While this isnt computer related, its off subject and just figured I'd share my other hobby which is mechanics and fabrication as well as yankee ingenuity of recycling/repurposing what might otherwise be junk into useful stuff when I am away from the IT world.
I used a MIG Welder with flux core wire to do all the welding on this and Acetylene Torch to heat and bend the tab and melt and round the sharp ends on the angle iron frame corners.
Below is a picture collage of the project so far. =P
Other projects I have done are home made generator by use of a horizontal drive gas motor and a car alternator and a 12VDC to 120VAC inverter as well as a bunch of other small projects... too many to list =P
Here is a 120VAC up to 9 AMP Generator ( 90 amp 12VDC alternator works out to about 9 amps maximum at 120VAC ) I made from a free motor and Mazda 626 alternator and other pieces and parts including a dishwasher door spring to maintain belt tension on a pivoting alternator mounted to wood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN7l55A4VVoThis generator was handy last winter when we lost electric for 4 hours. I was able to run it outside and long extension cord in to livingroom for TV, Internet, and Computer to run, Plus a 4 qty 9 watt LED Lamps throughout home.
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