





Good work.
I’m no expert, but you have everything structurally sound, so you should be good.
Throw some paint on there and to most people they would never know it wasn't factory.
Except for all of us here on GJ. Now we will forever know your secret.![]()
Now, I know why the flame wrench is so popular, you can just melt your mistakes!
Another item I went without until 3 years ago was a drill press. Made do with one of those gizmos you strap a 1/2" drill into.
I've haven't used the new press much, but I did drill the motor mount holes into the plates I'm making Saturday. 6 3/8" holes went like butter, me like.
I also used the plasma cutter on the car frame a bit. I guess I'm not much of a fabricator like you are, I just mostly unbolt and rebolt stuff.
X,
Champher that inner tube if you are going to heat and beat it in.
Or are you going to just heat and stretch it.
Kev,
I wouldn't think about taking apart an old car or truck without my flame wrench but I can respect the talent it takes to disassemble one without one.
How did I forget the grinder, since we‘re here, cut off wheel and hammer.....and a grinder. It's a good day when you learn, but sometimes I wish I could learn by not making mistakes.
Between cut off disks, flap disks and grinding wheels, I should just have a grinder replace one of my arms. Seems like I spend 5 hours every weekend with one in my hand anyway. The curse of being a **** welder.
I've had nearly all my early HF blue grinders give up in the last two years, now I'm wearing out $29.99 Menards ones.
Last of the big spenders, that's me!

I have no brand loyalty when it comes to angle grinders. I actually like my pneumatic HF ones best because they are so light. I'm trying to keep all the electric ones in one place. My problem is being too lazy to change wheels. I need a couple of different grit grinding and flap wheels as well as one with a cutting wheel.
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Kirk, I clamp the pin wrench in a vise, press the collar lock button and use the grinder as the lever. My arthritic hand doesn't like those sheet metal wrenches.And I have one DeWalt I can't get the cutoff wheel off of (it exploded when I got it ****-eyed in some 1 1/2" bar stock). I'd love to get it freed up for use.

You both reminded me that one of mine has a diamond cutting wheel and another has a buffing flap disk. I think I open the drawer and change a wheel before doing anything.Agreed, I have a cut off wheel an 80 grit pad and a flap disc set up at all times, it's just efficient
I can't wait til I have a shop so I can have a grinder drawer.
And now you have a workspace and lots of big toys that would make a lot of guys jealous.It'll get there. I was almost 50 before I ever had more than an 8'x8'x8' shed to call my own.

Truth!And now you have a workspace and lots of big toys that would make a lot of guys jealous.![]()




Right now we are in a pickle. WIth the housing market going nuts we may not have enough to buy something else. Three years ago when we signed the contract with the mine, I got almost 5 times more than the market value of my place. Now, I could not buy my property or what we are getting. A crappy house nearby - 2 bed, 1 bath, less than 1/4 acre - would not sell at $55k for 2 years. It just sold for $187k. All I can hope is that the bubble bursts before October.Uncle Willy, with the mine coming in have you had a chance to look at a new place yet.