Landscape Rake Build

GuglioLS · Jun 12, 2008

Got started making TPH support arms for the rake....
First was to cut two equal lengths of 1/2 x 3 flat bar, then layout center marks for the 3/4" top link and 7/8" lift pin holes.

After drilling, the arms were clamped to a 10" rotary table for milling a 1.50" semi circle radii around the top link pin.....

Larry

GuglioLS · Jun 12, 2008

With milling complete and 3/4" top link hole drilled, the pin was test fit, everything seem to line up. Next was laying out locations to align the anvil for bending, then center the work piece under the anvil and die.

Larry

GuglioLS · Jun 12, 2008

Care was taken to get precise alignment under the anvil and over the die for accurate and reproducible bends. A stop was placed inside the die to obtain a 43* bend as determined off the AutoCAD drawing. Two arms are needed that are exact mirror images of each other. Here are two still images of before and after bending followed by a short video showing the bending process:

Larry

GuglioLS · Jun 12, 2008

All that painstaking layout and alignment paid off, the stop inside the die worked wonders to get precise angles on every bend. Here are the results........

A few more parts need fabricated and a couple holes here and there before it can be welded, assembled and put into use.

Larry

tlbuser · Jun 12, 2008

mjncad said:
I still haven't found one for JD green...not that I've looked real hard.

It's not invincible; but it is tough stuff.

A tad late but....http://automotivetools.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/index-search.html?E+scstore
does sell a JD Green. Not sure about the place you use, but heat lamps (vs. ovens) can also be used with very good results for larger items.

tlbuser · Jun 12, 2008

GuglioLS said:
All that painstaking layout and alignment paid off, the stop inside the die worked wonders to get precise angles on every bend.
Larry

Great stuff, another fabulous project.

I didn't notice any lollipops this time

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/GuglioLS/Back Blade Project/Wedge/WedgePartsAssembled.jpg

GuglioLS · Jun 12, 2008

tlbuser said:
Great stuff, another fabulous project.

I didn't notice any lollipops this time
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/GuglioLS/Back%20Blade%20Project/Wedge/WedgePartsAssembled.jpg

No lollipops this time, sorry for the disappointment, HaHaHa, I'm really impressed you remembered that. Well, guess I'll have to come up with something a little different. Thanks for the compliment TLBuser.

Larry

mjncad · Jun 13, 2008

Excellent work Larry!

TLBUSER: Thanks for the tip on where to find JD green in powder form, I'll look into it.

MJPetersen · Jun 13, 2008

GuglioLS said:
After drilling, the arms were clamped to a 10" rotary table for milling a 1.50" semi circle radii around the top link pin.....

I s'pose this is better than my method of drawing some lines on there (using a convenient can or lid of something), whacking the big chunks off with a cutoff blade on a 4 1/2 inch grinder and then finishing it with a flap disk. ---- all this precision is interesting to watch and results in an absolutely beautiful product, but...well...I guess that you do have to justify your equipment investment!

Pretty cool Larry!!

Mike

GuglioLS · Jun 13, 2008

Matt (mjncad) -

I got a quote from a powder coat company in Albuquacky. I sent them pics of the project with the major components, here is their quote:

THE PAINT SHOP
PAINTING & POWDERCOATING
1441 CANDELARIA NE
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107

1 EA.
26X20X13 HARNESS
1 EA.
4X4X48 SQUARE TUBE WITH POST
1 EA.
5X4X84 TUBE WITH ROD

MASK AND POWDERCOAT YELLOW $225.00

They must be nuts or something or think my pockets are bottomless. For that ridiculous amount I can buy my own powder coat gun, powder paint, make my own 7 foot oven to bake it in AND have money left over, sheesh. I've got an old steel tank, it's about 24" dia and 8 feet long. Do you think if I put the parts inside, heat the walls of the tank with a weed burner I could get the air temp inside up to 400* ? How crazy does that sound? That 96 cent rattle can paint job is sounding real good about now. H/F sells a powder coat gun and powder paint, how much paint do you think I will need?

Powder Coat Gun

Yellow Powder Coat Paint

Larry