161 replies to this topic

[Ryan313]

I know that it should have 10-20% weight on the tongue but, I was aiming for it to be stable when its not hooked to anything as im sure I will be using it like that a lot. It makes since that it can't have 100& of the weight on the tongue, simple physics.

I am only using stuff I have on hand, like Steve said. I have so much of that square stock its not funny. My dad used that stuff to make tire racks for his tire buissness and now we have all the racks left over.

Thanks for giving you opinions on the tongue strength. I always clamp everything together as tight as possible before welding, this will be no different.

[Ryan313]

Just got back from getting welding wire. Its only a 2 pound spool but at least I can weld again.

What exactly does the diameter of the welding wire do? I am using 0.030

Goals for tomorrow:
1) Weld main frame together
2) Weld tongue together

[caseguy]

The size of the wire determines the current capacity. Smaller wire will make cleaner more penetrating welds in thinner materials without blowing through (assuming the settings are proper). The .030 wire should be OK for what you're doing. Are you using flux core or solid wire / shielding gas?

[Ryan313]

The size of the wire determines the current capacity. Smaller wire will make cleaner more penetrating welds in thinner materials without blowing through (assuming the settings are proper). The .030 wire should be OK for what you're doing. Are you using flux core or solid wire / shielding gas?

Im using solid wire and gas.

[KennyP]

That is what I have been using. Seems to work fine for everything I have been doing. I do use the larger spools, though.

[Ryan313]

I would have gotten the large spool but they didn't have the right kind in a big spool.

[Ryan313]

Today I was able to weld the tongue and main frame together. Here is a pic of the tongue after I welded it together. Its upside-down in this pic.


Here is a main frame.


I set the tongue and frame together so you could see what it will look like.


I was surprised at how fast I was able to weld this together, it took me just under 2 hours to do. Talking about welds, I thought I would take a pic of one of mine from that I did on the main frame. I dont think it's a bad weld, especially considering the amount of experience I have. This is one of the more "average" welds on from this project, some are better and some are worse. Also, this will probably be the only time I brag about something. Lol.


I will go out in another hour or so and see if I cant get the tongue and main frame welded together.

[daytime dave]

Ryan, it's looking good. Looks like a good weld. I wish I could weld.

[Ryan313]

Ryan, it's looking good. Looks like a good weld. I wish I could weld.

Thanks Dave! All you need is a welder to learn! I'm self-tought and I only started last fall.

[KennyP]

Looks good from Tulsa, Ryan! I think you are doing great for just learning!

[Ryan313]

Well, it was a lot of welding but I got the tongue and frame joined as one. I tried to take pics but there isn't very good lighting right now so they aren't very clear, and are not worth posting. Right now, I'm sitting in the garage on the bench waiting for the welder to cool off so I can call it a night. Lol

Goals for tomorrow:
1) make a jackstand
2) mount battery

[wvbuzzmaster]

Looking awesome Ryan, keep up the excellent progress.

[Ryan313]

First off, here it is after I welded it all together last night. This is the top.


Here is the bottom of it.


I put the compressor onto the trailer, next. After I put it on I lifted the front to see how heavy it was and it really was not bad at all, I was able to wheel it around without a problem.






I then started making the jack-stand. The first thing I did was make a foot for it. To do this I used a wheel I had laying around. This is one of the wheels that unbolt into two halves. On the side without the greese zirc or valve stem hole I wrapped some blue tape around it.


I cut the wheel, using the blue tape as a guide. The part with the center still in it was used as the foot.


I put a piece of threaded 3/4 rod into the foot and on one side I locked two nuts together.


The other side has a washer welded onto it.


I then put two nuts onto the rod and welded a piece of flat stock to it.


I welded the piece of flat stock to the tongue of the trailer.


The last part to make was the crank, I simply welded a piece of 1/2 round bar to a piece of flat stock and then welded a nut to the other end.


I put the crank onto the end of the threaded rod and locked it on with another nut.


Here is the finished product! It works perfect! The only downside is that you have to crank it a lot to move it very far.

[KennyP]

That is awesome, Ryan. Love that jack stand. That's using the brain matter.

[daytime dave]

That is awesome, Ryan. Love that jack stand. That's using the brain matter.

I agree with Kenny. VERY well done Ryan. Congratulations. That is a first rate job.