Why didn't I build a toothbar sooner? They're GREAT!

[petes]

Nice job Pete...
I want to do that myself...
What size plasma cutter did you get?

I have a (mid 90's) Hypertherm Powermax 800 (50A) that I picked up used (and nonworking) about 2 years ago. It was a quick/easy fix and paid for itself with the first use (removing a poorly-made-and-welded-on trailer hitch off my motorhome. ) It "unwelds" (gouges) in tight spaces/corners like nothing else. I will say it's very hard on straightedges and flatbar used for cutting guides - I have a tendency to cause the torch to jump up on the guide, which cuts just as easily as whatever it was I was intending to cut... I pay special attention to where my fingers are!

 

[Mike476]

I pay special attention to where my fingers are!

:laughing: Good plan.... nice job!

 

[ETpilot]

Nice job. I saved the pictures in case I decide I need to make one.

Looks like you may need to reinforce the top of your bucket where your chain hook is located. I had a similar problem. I have several chain attach points and the top of the bucket bent from use. I had to use a jack to spread back into shape then welded an angle iron on top to keep it from bending again. So far so good.

 

[petes]

I've been too busy with the orchard, garden and house projects to finish the pallet forks I started a few months ago... but since they're half built I keep thinking of all the uses for them! I had to move some branch/brush piles around so stuck some ~24" long scraps of 2x2 square tube over the outer teeth of my toothbar to make them longer. It worked very well for a 30 second upgrade, except they'd fall off when dumping the load, so I decided to make up some proper "fangs" for my toothbar... They're made from 3x3x1/4" angle out of the scrap pile, one side tapered to make it pointy to be able go under branches. Some flat bits cut and welded to form a box that slip over the tooth and secures with a pinch-bolt threaded into the side. Super simple, and I'd say an hour of fabrication well spent. I can now scoop or heap on a big load of brush or branches without diddling around trying to rope or chain them to the bucket. One upgrade I'll probably do next will be to cut a 1" x 3/8" U-notch in each of the tips to use as a chain-hook so I can hoop a chain from the hook on top of my bucket and secure to the tips. Now I don't need the pallet forks nearly as much... until I have to move an actual pallet!

The downside is they're hard to see in front of the bucket unless it's curled all the way, and harder to remember that they're there while maneuvering in close quarters.... I foresee some chunks missing from the barn door frame in my future.

 

[Freakingstang]

I've been too busy with the orchard, garden and house projects to finish the pallet forks I started a few months ago... but since they're half built I keep thinking of all the uses for them! I had to move some branch/brush piles around so stuck some ~24" long scraps of 2x2 square tube over the outer teeth of my toothbar to make them longer. It worked very well for a 30 second upgrade, except they'd fall off when dumping the load, so I decided to make up some proper "fangs" for my toothbar... They're made from 3x3x1/4" angle out of the scrap pile, one side tapered to make it pointy to be able go under branches. Some flat bits cut and welded to form a box that slip over the tooth and secures with a pinch-bolt threaded into the side. Super simple, and I'd say an hour of fabrication well spent. I can now scoop or heap on a big load of brush or branches without diddling around trying to rope or chain them to the bucket. One upgrade I'll probably do next will be to cut a 1" x 3/8" U-notch in each of the tips to use as a chain-hook so I can hoop a chain from the hook on top of my bucket and secure to the tips. Now I don't need the pallet forks nearly as much... until I have to move an actual pallet!

The downside is they're hard to see in front of the bucket unless it's curled all the way, and harder to remember that they're there while maneuvering in close quarters.... I foresee some chunks missing from the barn door frame in my future.

Nice!

I've been thinking of making some "forks" out 4" C-channel