Fun with square tubing too

[Harv]

<font color=blue>A round of applause please!</font color=blue>

You got it, Dude!

This thread is already destined to be a classic, even though the word "tractor" doesn't appear in it anywhere.

I am so psyched. All I need to get started on this project is:

- Time
- Money
- Welder
- Space to work
- Lots o' scrap iron
- Supportive and understanding wife

Hmmm... /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif Maybe I'm not as close as I thought I was.

BTW -- I can't see the mess you're talking about. Is it hidden behind all that cool stuff you have laying around? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Keep 'em coming, Harv. Keep 'em coming.

 

[Boomerboy]

I love it! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif This is just what this forum is about - do it and show the pics! We all have that desire to do it ourselves. Sometimes it is just a few pics that kick us in the right place to get going!

Thanks Wroughtn_Harv!

 

[MarkV]

Darn you Harv, I’ve been buying woodworking tools for over thirty years and have enough to do most anything I want. Now you have me seeing metal scraps everywhere and no tools to work with. If my wife figures this out she will not be happy./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Great demonstration of experience, skill and ingenuity. Sure do enjoy your lessons and I hope you will keep them coming.

Ron, not bad camera work, now how about some of your blacksmithing.

MarkV

 

[rotr]

MarkV, you really don't want to add blacksmithing. Cause you will definitly need more money and time.

Basic equipment:
Anvil (150 lb or more) - new ones at about $4.50 to $8.00/lb.
Bandsaw (miter cuts) - cheap one about $240.00
Tongs - never have enough tongs - new, $35.00 ea and up
Coal or coke firepot - new bout 150, used bout 75
Blower for the firepot
Misc. lengths of 3" pipe for air feed from blower to firepot
Hammers - 2 pounders and up to 18 lb sledge (cross pien, rounding, ball pien, baby sledge, etc.)
Gas forge (propane 2-burner) about $450 and up
90 lb propane tank/connections/hoses/gauge
Coal (approx 1,000 lb to start) @ approx $15.00/100lb
Coke is in the same neighborhood
Propane (about $2.50/lb in this area)
Good sturdy, large machinest vise (or old post vise which is the best) - check out flea markets,trader sales, etc.

These items will get you started. You can improvise for the coal forge by adapting a brake drum or use a round BBQ grill for a short time

Also, you can start out without the gas forge and accessories to make it go. But, the rest of the stuff you will need.

As far a the metal, if it dosen't move, use it. Scrap is a wonderful resource and it tends to force you to become more creative than you would normally be.

Best to all.
Ron

 

[rotr]

MarkV, I forgot to add the welder - a definite gotta have.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Mark if you're wanting to read about blacksmithing check out this Here's the organization I belong to nationally. Cruise through this site at your own risk.

this is the guys in the Austin area I joined awhile back.

The blacksmiths are a lot like tractor nutz. They're a rare breed.

 

[EdKing]

Harv, can you use a larger jig for bending 2 inch tubing, or does tubing that large require heating to get a good bend ? I want to make a canopy/FOPS for my tractor, and was wondering if I could bend the tubing for the front bar, or would it be easier just to weld the pieces together. The roll bar already on the tractor is bent, but I noticed the inner parts of the bends appear to be crimped.

 

[mrcaptainbob]

Springback.....

Harv, do you have to 'over' bend to compensate for springback? Or is that minimal? Also, what's the largest square cross section you've bent? Do you have a feel for how much wall thickness impacts deforming of the side walls?

 

[centex]

rotr, you mean welders don't you. I started out with just a oxy-acetylene rig and and a Lincoln buzz box and soon found I had to have a 250 amp Heliarc welder, a 225 amp wire feed welder, a spot welder, ... When I order electric service for my new workshop I have to get 200 amp service because of the Heliarc welder. I don't see how I could get along with just one welder! There are just too many things to build for a tractor to be limited by your welder. You have to have an understanding wife or one who gets over being mad quick.

 

[centex]

Harv, did you build Miss Hossfield or is she a commercial product? I would like ot see more pictures of her.
Thanks,