SSQA fork build

[Jim Timber]

90 degree nothing - run it right off a sprocket from the middle or end. You could also run these off RH threaded rod if you put an outside driven sprocket on the chain drive so the two sides are driven opposite directions.

Still need to worry about dirt, but it'd be a slick setup.

 

[Mysfyt]

Reason the speed reducer popped in my head is I have a collection of them and some have a dual output shaft. Makes it simple and clean.

 

[Jim Timber]

Have you priced out a LH acme rod of sufficient diameter?

 

[4570Man]

Have you priced out a LH acme rod of sufficient diameter?

I bought some 1" acme rod 3 feet long on sale for $16. I think full price was $40.

 

[Jim Timber]

Left hand is double that. Enco - Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Machinery, Tools and Shop Supplies

 

[4570Man]

That's still not bad.

 

[Jim Timber]

Cheaper than turning it yourself, yes. It's still a chunk of change for a steel bar.

 

[4570Man]

And cheaper than hydraulic cylinders or electric actuators.

 

[Mysfyt]

Well, like I mentioned in the beginning that this was my first project that was drawn up in 3D cad, so I expected a few bumps in the road and sure enough, they happened. I tacked up the pieces being careful where I placed them knowing that it may come apart. Once I got it to the point where I could check fit, in came the queen for a fitting and......Doh! I got the angle for the top of the catch plate wrong. Probably one of those should have subtracted from 180 instead of adding to 90 type of things with a protractor. Ended up being 15 degrees off (hard to tell from the picture) but the good news is it really isn't catastrophic. Made up a new plate with the right angle but had to eliminate the locating tabs-no biggie. Also need to widen the latch opening on the bottom.

 

[Mysfyt]

Now I'm going back to the school I came from. We'll fit the parts to the tractor and then move to the bench. Got the critical parts fitted up and checked the lock mechanism and all parts are a go. Move over to the set up table and located and tacked up all the parts. The plan is to start from the center and weld with the .035 hard wire to minimize distortion by skipping around. Time to start laying down some beads.