yet another thumb on its way

[workinallthetime]

after much inspiration on here about a thumb for my bh I have started on mine, and since i didnt get done today here are some pics for you guys to hand out some good ole tbn advice on. I had prices from 300 to 3000 for a thumb, so far this one cost me 39.00 for 3 pins and a top link from atwoods. the metal is all 3/8 to 1/2 mild steel and most of it is from a salvaged goose neck truck hitch.
I have not decided if i want to try and make it where i can pin it up when not using it or not and im unsure about the arangement of the teeth, I plan on adding one more smaller set in the middle and maybe a scraper to go the width under or on the bottom tooth.

 

[2310 guy]

can't wait to see the finished product.

 

[3RRL]

Me too Dan, it should turn out nice for you.
One thing I would add that I found my thumb does not interfere with regular digging at all. Consequently, I have never had to "park" it.

 

[rcrcomputing]

Me too Dan, it should turn out nice for you.
One thing I would add that I found my thumb does not interfere with regular digging at all. Consequently, I have never had to "park" it.

I leave mine out as well. Though, if I was going to dig much, I'd latch it up.

 

[rcrcomputing]

I guess you thought mine was ugly.. hehe

What are you making your cuts on the teeth with?

 

[workinallthetime]

well the thumb is done for the most part, latched it on and went straight to a pile of rocks mudd and all. one word WOW !!!!! why didnt you guys tell me this thing worked so dang good? I will have some pics as soon as the battery charges on the camera. I am going to modify the bottom tooth to give it some support and mellow the edge out a bit. I got hold of a couple ole sandstones and crushed them.

I used a 00 tip on my oxy/acel torch to cut everything, i probably should have used my cut off saw on a few pieces to minimize the grinding i had to do to clean up a few pieces. I have a little play in the top hinge i dont really like, im worried over time it may bend something.

I think the worst thing about this entire project was grinding the paint off of that dipper stick, man that was hard on the sole.

pics in a few I need to get cleaned up

 

[3RRL]

Hey, I did tell you all about it.
LOL ... I know your hearing is fine, so you must be "hard of listening".
So get those pictures up for us.

 

[workinallthetime]

day 2 ,lol
i hear ya man !!!

the top "gusset" apears to be loose but thats just where its pinned. not really a perty thumb but hey what do you expect for a few bucks and some scrap metal, lol

now its dark and i cant play, maybe a worklight project next, oh ya i forgot then i have to BUY another alternator to run a extra lights, what a crock.

 

[workinallthetime]

this was another inspiration for the thumb

YouTube - Got Rocks?

 

[3RRL]

Yeah, that guy is good.
Do you see he places the thumb where it needs to be and brings the bucket to it? Shoot, he never misses.
Also note his thumb is a little wider than yours, sort of like how mine is. That flat bar you're thinking about putting on might help out then? Maybe just a little one?