Stigian 1,234 #26 Posted May 4, 2009 Morning gents, only a small update this time...But first.. Mich - Is that a cartoon Kevin Smith in your display pic? A great film writer Hi Pat - The beard is still there in the second pic, it all suddenly went grey overnight making it hard to spot in the photo Not sure about it being "awesome" metal work, but I like to have a bash. WH 1045 - Thank you, going all "MacGyver" is a great complement. I have to admit it's a program ive never watched and didn't understand quite what you said until I did a little research and found this. Drawing on a vast practical knowledge of science, Macgyver is able to make use of any mundane materials around him to create unorthodox solutions to any problem he faces. I only managed to get in a couple of hours down the Workshack yesterday, but got a few things done. Folding up the second lamp bezel was interesting as I didn't have an original one to work from, It's not 100% matching with the first one but quite close. The honeycomb steel I thought I had couldn't be found, but I did unearth another computer panel with holes.. Just not quite enough holes.. Soon had that sorted, but somehow managed to break two drill bits drilling through thin steel Lots of bending, welding (It feels strange using a MIG welder again after a long time using only the ARC) and grinding later had the mesh welded on the back of the bezel. Ta-Daa... Number two bezel with mesh done. That's all for now folks, more to come when it happens.. Still thinking on how to mount the bezels.. Maybe a few blobs of weld on the inside and then paint them "mounted"?? Answers on a postcard please... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jusjeepn 59 #27 Posted May 4, 2009 Ian, I'm assuming your hood still has the original inner panel that the factory lights mount to. Weld a few "L" brackets on the rear egde of your fabbed pieces, drill a few holes, 4 small bolts and VIOLA! Removable, replaceable but more importantly marketable!!! These bezels always seem to break when you ram them into trees, buildings, cars,etc.... . The right one in particular warps from heat from the factory muffler setup! If you could make up about 6 dozen sets of these and ship them across the pond.... Sell them for $25 a set... Instant fortune!!!!! I assumed right! I went back and can see the panel still there in one of the pics! Think you could whip up a set in diamond plate? How's about diamond plate vinyl? I really like the looks of those in the lighter color so they contrast with the black! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TJ 184 #28 Posted May 4, 2009 Ya, it's Keven. It looks just like me at 3:00am, when I can't get back to sleep. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #29 Posted May 6, 2009 Evening all.. Pat, the way to stop the bezels getting broken is to fit a big weight to the front. It's quite effective as we found out when Pete hadn't noticed I had stopped on the C-125 and rammed into the back of me. To be fair, we were both not looking where we were going at the time The diamond plate idea sounds good, could even airbrush the diamonds on but not the grill.. HHmm.. food for thought.. Anyway, back to the bezels.. Did a lot of ing this morning trying to work out how to mount the bezels.. Several mugs of coffine later a simple solution made it's self obvious, the simple way of doing things is always best. A small lip was welded to the top of the bezel, to hold..er the top in place. It's easier to show you than try and explain about the bottom bezel fixings. The threaded rod has a slot cut so it can be tightened with a screwdriver. Not much left of the bezel story left to tell.. A few coats of satin black paint was next. And fitted... I quite like them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse_of_course 99 #30 Posted May 7, 2009 Well done Ian :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Olratlr 25 #31 Posted May 7, 2009 Ian you done good and very educational Thanks. :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #32 Posted May 20, 2009 Evening all, it's about time for another update on the never ending evolution of my old faithful 312-8. This time were going up some more, or almost level Let me explain... Putting the bigger and taller tires on the back is all fine and dandy if you happen to like the "puller" look.. Which as it happens I do The only problem was the bigger tires changed the rake some what making anything hung out the front (Say a snowplow/blade thingy) a lot closer to the ground.. Only one way to go... and that's up.. My parts collection produced a pair of 314- spindles (or are they called kingpins?) to be sacrificed or at the very least slightly cut in half.. A couple of line were scored first to make sure the two parts would line up again. Garry sitting down on the job again : ) While he was at the lathe I got him to machine a couple of 1 1/2 inch long bit of bar to be welded in the king spindle pin thingys. Sorry, no cutting or welding photo's but here's one of a couple of longer spindles. It was about this point that I started to wonder about the strength of the king spindles, knowing how much weight the front carry's and the amount of use/abuse the poor 'orse gets.. Better get some strengthening plates cut then.. One slight problem here, my grinder decided it had had enough of cutting and instead wanted to suck up a small piece of metal into the cooling fan and thus killing itself in a cloud of nasty smelling white smoke Oh well, out with the hacksaw.. Lots of cutting, arm ache and welding later, we have a couple of objects that look something like this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #33 Posted May 20, 2009 Only one problem with them there pin spindle thingys... The camber might be a bit...er... out. One side had mild positive camber.. The other had loads I thought that the welding had warped things, but someone pointed out that the spindle might of been bent to start with. And as the 314 these king pindles came from had lead a hard and abused previous life, I have to agree.. That and I never checked them to be straight (or is it bent in the right place) before cutting them up. Some swift cutting, bending and welding had things back in shape. Here's one of the spindle kings being checked against a template made from one of the original (and the right shape) 312 spindles.. Think ive just about run out of silly names I can call them Having cut them again some of the strength was lost again. Never fear when you have a welder near An extra plate was welded in to make sure things stayed together. Only one thing left to do.. yep, put em on and see what happens.. Plenty of ground clearance now, and much to my surprise the steering is only a tad heavier than it was Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WheelHorse_of_course 99 #34 Posted May 20, 2009 Only one problem with them there pin spindle thingys... The camber might be a bit...er... out. One side had mild positive camber.. The other had loads I thought that the welding had warped things, but someone pointed out that the spindle might of been bent to start with. And as the 314 these king pindles came from had lead a hard and abused previous life, I have to agree. So you are saying that the 314 was owned (and used and abused) by you? Anyway, looking nice. :( Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TJ 184 #35 Posted May 20, 2009 Looks like everything is in control. :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #36 Posted May 20, 2009 Ian that looks just plain Sick Doode! You Rock! Love those skins & rims. I need to build me a messing around tractor! :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plowmaster 0 #37 Posted May 21, 2009 Just a small tip for you here Guys. If your widening a set of WH rims, it may be best to clean the old paint etc off first before welding the widened rim back together.. Otherwise it's a right pain in the 'orse cleaning all the rust/paint off when the rim has a lot of dish On the bright side.. it's going to be worth it when they are finished good tip, but an experienced welder will take whatever down to bare steel before he even chooses his electrode. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #38 Posted May 21, 2009 Evening Chaps, first a quick bit of shameless video plugging. After all the mods that have been done to the poor 312, it was only right that we should take it into the woods for some careful strength and traction testing.. YouTube Video Link Now for a few reply's. Rolf - Nope not abused by me, and not very looked after by the previous owner. Saying that, could cutting the spindles up be classed as abuse? Mich - The 312 may be in control, not sure about the owner though Duke - Thanks Plowmaster - I never said I was an experienced welder The steel on the rims that I welded was cleaned up first before the magical sparkling stick went anywhere near it. I just wished I had cleaned all the paint off the rims first.. Oh well, know for next time.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plowmaster 0 #39 Posted May 24, 2009 looks good nonetheless, and very good fabbing skills. i still like to weld when everything is shiny though. :omg: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
