These pix show the cross tubes just after welding them to one end of
the cylinder and to the rod. I also drilled and welded a JIC female
fitting to the cylinder end and capped it for an air pressure test. I am
rarely a good enough welder to get it air-tight the first time. Hence the
air pressure tests. My cylinder is now a hybrid between a tie rod cyl and
a welded one.
Next, I wanted to use a hard line for the retraction hydraulic connection.
This end is closest to the action so I wanted to minmize risk of hose damage.
Ever have a hose under pressure get ripped out? What a mess! My third
photo shows how NOT to weld up a hard line. My
hyd hose shop gave me
the tubing in the photo and I welded it carefully, but it was very weak
at the weld and easily broke. You can see the chrystalline ends of the
break in the photo. Clearly the wrong tubing...it was only .030 in thickness,
too. I went and bought some 3/8 .063 tubing at Home Depot and re-did
it. My next post will show the finished custom cylinder.