Pictures for my previous post. Mistakes= frustrating, embarrassing and humbling (being humbled is a good thing). But when you get past that, its a good feeling knowing that its getting done right. Here I show removing the left side sprocket ears and welding on the new ones in the right location. Since these are welded on one side only, had to tack in a brace to keep it from pulling. Today will be drilling and boring the new holes for the sprocket shaft. Didn't want to deal with the lock bolt hole when boring the holes, so the sprocket shafts will need to be modified a bit. More on that coming up.
SSQA fork build
- Thread starter Mysfyt
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downsizingnow48
Elite Member
Any advice on using CAD? I've tried some of the "sample" programs (free) thinking if I found one I liked I would buy the license. But they are pretty complicated at least for me, so I am still using traditional drafting tools.
I'm sure there are some professional CAD people that could advise you on this way better than me. I'm self taught Autocad and then started using Spaceclaim for 3d work. The reason I'm using Spaceclaim is because its on the work computer already. It's not a free program by no means.
Fallon
Super Member
Google Sketchup is free. Pretty different paradigm from most other CAD systems, but lots of people love it.
Everhard
Gold Member
I'll add a second vote for Sketchup. I started using it after others here had said good things - my experience was don't try to just "figure it out" - use the online tutorial video guides to learn the basics and then you'll find it both easy to learn and a pleasure to use. That is my experience at least. I really like it. (and yes additionally it's free.)
E.
E.
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
Thx for advice, sorry for detour!
Got the hole for the sprocket shaft drilled and reamed. A lot easier on the mill vs the mag drill for sure! The third picture is the new way to hold shafts in place and keep them from turning. Pretty much the same way the big boys do it.
Starting to work on the housings for the wiper seals. Should have pics tomorrow.
Starting to work on the housings for the wiper seals. Should have pics tomorrow.
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Machining the housings for the wiper seals. Using soft jaws that I machined to fit the OD of the housings to speed things along and also because after coating, they will get 'touched up' a bit in the bore where to seals fit. Indexed the holes and used a counterbore for the 1/4" allen head bolts that will hold the housing to the forks. Last picture is showing both sides of the completed parts. While the frame and housings are getting powder coated, I'll get the forks back up on the mill to index and tap the holes for the housings.
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Got the forks back up on the mill to index and tap the holes for the wiper seal housings. Also decided to drill and tap an 1/8" npt hole for introducing oil to the top of the shaft via a Gates cup or oiler. I'll experiment with this after assembly and during sea trials. Just using the grease zerks as a plug for now.
Should start assembly this weekend. I might machine some custom thrust washers to make the sprocket alignment better on the left side, other than that, everything should be made.
Should start assembly this weekend. I might machine some custom thrust washers to make the sprocket alignment better on the left side, other than that, everything should be made.
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Assembly day has arrived. Kept reminding myself during the week to remember to load the wiper seals on the shaft before attaching the forks. (Okay, I forgot) Otherwise, assembly went real well. I got a couple of Parker flow control valves off of Ebay so I can tune the speed of adjustment both ways.
Took it outside for sea trials and cycled it a few times to get the air out of the cylinder. Adjusted the control valves until I had the speed the same in both directions. Was a little 'choppy' until I added some 30wt oil to the support blocks and it smoothed right out. That answers my question to which direction to go.....oil it is!
My wife took some video of it in action and I will try and post it tomorrow.
Took it outside for sea trials and cycled it a few times to get the air out of the cylinder. Adjusted the control valves until I had the speed the same in both directions. Was a little 'choppy' until I added some 30wt oil to the support blocks and it smoothed right out. That answers my question to which direction to go.....oil it is!
My wife took some video of it in action and I will try and post it tomorrow.
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Jim Timber
Veteran Member
That turned out really nice!
k0ua
Epic Contributor
No, kidding, that is the toughest/nicest looking set of forks I have seen lately.:thumbsup:
Xfaxman
Super Star Member
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Yep, better than the best! :thumbsup:
Jim Timber
Veteran Member
So how well will the chain hold up when you're digging stumps? :laughing:
Jim Timber
Veteran Member
I don't know man, I failed x-ray on my test links. :laughing: Of course I welded them 3 hours past my bedtime after I'd already had a 12 hour day and wasn't trying for perfection. Still passed the bend tests.
Just taking care of a few details before I declare it finished. Since I'm going with oil, I got these larger oil cups that will hopefully hold enough oil to last a while. Also locked down the adjustment knobs because I'm satisfied with the speed.
I want to say thank you to everybody that responded with the nice compliments, it was truly appreciated! And a big thank you to countrybumpkin for taking the time to post the image that had me modify my design and made it much simpler!
Now it just has to stand the test of time.
I want to say thank you to everybody that responded with the nice compliments, it was truly appreciated! And a big thank you to countrybumpkin for taking the time to post the image that had me modify my design and made it much simpler!
Now it just has to stand the test of time.
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