rattle_snake's random shop projects v0.1

[zmotorsports]

Excellent job on the NOS solenoid mounting. Top shelf work Justin.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

Very sanitary as usual, I like it! Won't be long and that BBF will be a laughing gas addict.

SWMBO argued why more tool boxes were needed and what possibly would I put in it? stuff.



Next step is to add a dent and cover in grinder dust and chips.

My wife just rolls her eyes when a new box follows me home...she doesn't say much about it, she has lots of "organization" type things that I don't comment on, so turnabout is fair play I guess.



Haha, the dent and dust/chips comment makes me laugh. You hate for it to happen but it is inevitable. There used to be a service tech that worked at Sandberg Implement...when the dealership would get a new pickup in the service department, he would hit the side of the bed with a ballpeen to put the first dent in it, he thought it made the techs less likely to worry about how they used it . Used to make my grandfather about sick.

 

[Bears Fan]

Good Stuff!!! Just got caught up on whats going on in the Rattle Snake Garage

 

[PhantomEB]

Ever consider remote tuning of the sniper?

I going with Mad Science Motorsports out of Texas, claims more volumetric efficiency of the fuel map to create more mpg and more hp.

 

[rattle_snake]

Not really didn't know there were sniper experts out there.
The sniper works well out of the box, I have not spent the time to further tweak it. I would image there is gains to be had with a custom tune.

 

[rattle_snake]

Helping my neighbor on his Taco overland rig. A few year back the truck went airborne unintentionally and bent a lot of stuff. Frame, body, axle housing and so on. All but axle housing had been repaired previously, so time to swap out the housing with extra mods for a rear sway bar, limit straps.


I fabbed some shackle braces after we bent them back into position with a high lift jack.


Lots of custom bracing at rear of frame to tie into. Truck is very heavy (7k?)


Also swapped out the rear spring and shocks from OME to custom Deavers and tuned Kings.


Front is heavily modified. steering rack, relocated lower arms, 4.56 ARB, RCVs, and so on.

 

[OutlawDrifter]

I like those shackle braces Justin, nice work!

That thing is a pig, weighs as much as my big block Suburban. Does he have the supercharger on the 4.0L yet?...sounds like it may need it!

 

[rattle_snake]

Puttering on nitrous system HW. Built a more robust WOT switch mount.


Hogged out the corners of the intake lower plane flange. The spray bar has holes close to the ends and the radius of that side would impede flow.


With fixes to secondary throttle I wanted to back off tension on throttle return springs, but was out of adjustment. So I made a new adjuster rod. Smashed one end in press to make springe easier to install and a nice way to hold round stock while threading.

 

[rattle_snake]

I like those shackle braces Justin, nice work!

That thing is a pig, weighs as much as my big block Suburban. Does he have the supercharger on the 4.0L yet?...sounds like it may need it!

Thanks Marc. They shouldn't bent now.
Yes the truck is very heavy, overloaded. lots of gadgets and comforts. He has had a TRD supercharger for some time now but not installed yet. A big effort to install and incurs other 'modifications' like full exhaust, moving batteries and so on.

 

[rattle_snake]

Pulled the trigger on a CNC plasma table. Langmuir 3' x 4' with THC. Going to try the Miller 375 I already have and go from there. Probably won't ship for a month so have time to prep the area with power and air, and modify the 375 for CNC controls.

Should be a game changer. A lot to learn. Looking forward to the challenge.

 

[tarbellb]

That's funny, I chopped my Tacoma exhaust exactly where your buddy did after my lift install.

Worked great. Then the muffler rusted out and started heading up my bed. Swapped in a new muffler and have it dumping out directly behind it now.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice work on the shackle braces for the Tacoma Justin. Those turned out great.

 

[XJSuperman]

Holy **** thats a lot of bracing in that frame. A coworker just bought a Yota pickup and caught me looking at your pics and came over to take a look. I might have scared him a bit when I started listing off what I could see on that thing.
That whole truck looks great. Very impressive.

 

[rattle_snake]

Yes it got twisted up pretty bad after sending it fully loaded off a 8' ledge on a beach in Mexico. Had frame straightened but it's pretty thin and flimsy behind the front spring hangers. So lots of bracing to carry the heavy load. RTT, fully loaded swing arm bumper, drawer system, ARB fridge, water tank, and so on.
I call it the 'One Ton Tacoma'. Official name is 'The Conundrum' as modifications can cause such situations...
Pretty much everything has been heavily modified several times. It took a lot to get 35s to fit.

 

[rattle_snake]

Been working on nitrous wiring and purge plumbing as time permits and parts show up.

Wired solenoid rail and WOT throttle switch to a weather pack connector. This allows engine (or cab / inner fender) to be removed without removing anything related to the nitrous system.


Built a harness for the switch, heater relay and instrument cluster indicators that are in the cab. It goes through firewall and has a weather pack connector to plug into the others.


Installed engine harness and wrapped up pluming. Went a bit crazy with ANs, but I like the ease of maintenance and look/feel they provide. All black like the rest, subtle.


Nitrous purge line is hose from solenoid to firewall to allow movement. Used a bulkhead fitting to transition trough cowl and go to 3/16 stainless hardline


Purge line exits center cowl at a angle.

 

[rattle_snake]

Knuckle back machined for high steer arm.
****!


Took some quick measurement of arm drag link hole spacing. The inner hole will reduce steering ratio by about 75%. currently the 4 turn steering box uses all 4 turns to get tires lock to lock. This will quicken ratio to 3 turns which will be nice.

 

[LXCam]

Knuckle back machined for high steer arm.
****!


Took some quick measurement of arm drag link hole spacing. The inner hole will reduce steering ratio by about 75%. currently the 4 turn steering box uses all 4 turns to get tires lock to lock. This will quicken ratio to 3 turns which will be nice.

That's slick looking Justin.

What's your caster angle set to?. Just wonder if going down to 3 turns will make her twitchy on the highway. I just got a 1/2 ton furd for a company ride and I hate how overly sensitive it is at speed, I'll be swinging into a shop to see they can go another degree of positive on it to see if it helps.

 

[rattle_snake]

Caster is 4 to 4.5*. Big marshmallow tires can make this a bit more sluggish. The other hole is out a bit more than knuckle itself but would only limit total steer angle by a 1/8 turn so could use that also.

 

[Mr.zippy]

That is beautiful work! Clean nitrous install to boot!

 

[rattle_snake]

Thanks Zippy. trying to hide most of it as best possible.

 

[rattle_snake]

Built the last sub-harness for nitrous system. Used the last 2 open relay spaces in the under hood power distribution box. Other end is a pair of weather packs that plug into the engine and cab harnesses. Used 2 types of 4 pin connectors so can't plug into wrong place.


Was never quite happy with air cleaner assembly I have cobbled together. The original drop base was too low and interfered with sniper fuel lines and pressure gauge. Wanted a zero offset base but closest I found had a raise of about 3/4", so ran that for awhile. Didn't like that flange could be seen so I modified it by smashing it in the press. Now it is zero offset.


Now it sits just right.

 

[rattle_snake]

Added upper tailgate trim to my 72 F250 'Explorer'. The expo package didn't include it, only the ranger I believe, with a chrome handle.
Can't purchase one side so I bought a new lower and made the uppers out of the old lower. Hand formed the ends with various tools. Installed clips and one side and noticed how far off the body lines are. Poo.


So I moved all the clips and placed the trim where it looks right instead. Calling it a win. Also switched to a historic copper license plate.

 

[Bodj Built]

I love all the small details you're adding!

 

[Mr.zippy]

Yes, and matching hydro flask! That old truck is beautiful!

 

[OutlawDrifter]

That Ford continues to look better, liking the extra "chrome"!

 

[Boosted1]

Your truck is really coming along nicely.
I bet your neighbor likes having you as a neighbor.

 

[plain2car]

very nice job!! I love the truck... even though it is a ford!...!! I am hoping to fire up my '86 C10 (LS swap) for the final test time this saturday! if all goes good... do exhaust, emissions test & then on the road! side note! I am in the thinking stages of a "east side" GTG around our 'hood soon, should be in middle sept?? you will have to attend & MAKE SURE you drive the truck to it!!

 

[rattle_snake]

I love all the small details you're adding!

Thanks I enjoy the smaller project with quick gratification.

Yes, and matching hydro flask! That old truck is beautiful!

Thanks!

That Ford continues to look better, liking the extra "chrome"!

It seemed a bit incomplete, so I 'fixed it'.

Your truck is really coming along nicely.
I bet your neighbor likes having you as a neighbor.

Well it is quite loud and sometimes I accidently do burnouts...
but better than a field full of dilapidated junk and neglected animals.

very nice job!! I love the truck... even though it is a ford!...!! I am hoping to fire up my '86 C10 (LS swap) for the final test time this saturday! if all goes good... do exhaust, emissions test & then on the road! side note! I am in the thinking stages of a "east side" GTG around our 'hood soon, should be in middle sept?? you will have to attend & MAKE SURE you drive the truck to it!!

Did you get it fired up?
Yes I'm up for a GTG and can bring truck assuming it is in one piece.

 

[rattle_snake]

Last few nights my shop project has been assembling my new play toy. 4x3 CNC plasma with THC. Trying to put it together 'stock' before modifications begin. Next step is software and mods to miller plasma cutter for automation.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Is the shop rate on the plasma table being figured in dollars or beers?

I can't wait to see what you produce on that thing!

 

[Bodj Built]

Rad! I'd recommend making a tray underneath the table to catch stuff. Even if it's not a water table, it's still helpful to keep debris off the floor

 

[rattle_snake]

Is the shop rate on the plasma table being figured in dollars or beers?

I can't wait to see what you produce on that thing!

Beers just like your tubing bender

Rad! I'd recommend making a tray underneath the table to catch stuff. Even if it's not a water table, it's still helpful to keep debris off the floor

The machine includes a water table. Not the best design (2 piece) but will work for now.

 

[stinkity stoink]

Oh damn !! can’t wait to see what you start making

 

[rattle_snake]

necessity will guide projects. Have a few lined up but first have to figure out fusion 360, fire control, machine setting and so on.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

That reminds me, I need to pay for Fusion 360, I heard they just cutoff all the hobby licenses.

Check out "Lars Christensen" on YouTube, I found his walkthrough's invaluable when getting my feet wet in Fusion 360.

 

[rattle_snake]

Back to work on high steer setup for old Ford. Need a longer drag link to reach knuckle. OCD had me not totally happy with Y-link style TRE on pass side. Would be more-better-er with regular 1T GM TRE to match other side.

I had previously bough 4' of 1.5 x 0.25 wall DOM and 7/8 tube inserts to rebuild the track bar. So had material on hand for a longer tie rod.
Measure, cut, bevel. But right before I welded them on I noticed that the threaded inserts were 7/8-14 for heims and the tie rods are 7/8-18. Poo. So ordered some similar types from Ruff Stuff and welded them up.


Old tie rod to be shortened to become the new drag link.


My welding kung-fu has improved over the years and now I feel comfortable doing life-and-death steering welds. I weld with three beads, 120* at a time, 2 flats of the hex nut. So a slight up and slightly down path that won't look consistent unless you adjust travel speed.
The right bevel is key, leave 30% or so unbeveled. Goal is full fill, and full adhesion to available surface area.


Can see the heat signature by looking at inside. start-stop points, cold spots, ect.
I like this type of threaded insert that has no thread where the weld joint is. Threads that far back do nothing (smart people say only the first few thread so anything). I have another type from Sky's offroad that is fully threaded, and would worry about heat warpage.


Installed and torqued arm. Tight fit.




Now drag link is quite flat. Even with track bar in flattest position it's not enough. Test drive confirmed bad bump steer. Have to extend the fame and/or axle brackets to dial it in.
Looks like it will clear frame when at bump on pass side. Steering wheel will still turn 95% of the 4 turns lock to lock using inner hole on arm. This means that before I was limited by box. Now it hits stops and tire just touches at full lock. So I gained some steering angle. Does seem to have a bit less assist force as expected. Will see how it does on the trail and if a ram is needed.

 

[csp]

That reminds me, I need to pay for Fusion 360, I heard they just cutoff all the hobby licenses.

Not sure where you heard that because it's still available on their website. I downloaded it just a couple of months ago.

 

[ntsqd]

From the download page as-of right now:
Fusion 360 is available for free personal use for individuals who are doing home-based, non-commercial design, manufacturing, and fabrication projects.

So I guess it depends on how you're using it.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Not sure where you heard that because it's still available on their website. I downloaded it just a couple of months ago.

I got an email a couple of weeks ago saying they were ending the free subscriptions with a price breakdown for 1-3yrs of costs (~$545/yr). I can't seem to find it on my phone; I'll see if I can find it at work tomorrow. I really hope they aren't getting rid of it, but it's worth the money to me if they do.

Edit: After looking at their site, it looks like they implemented a 3yr limitation to the free version, which I'm at. Good news for new users, bad news for me.

Edit to the Edit: I couldn't find the email (no longer in my trash folder), but I was able to login to Fusion 360 which was put in "Read Only" status. I went to sign up and it allowed me to renew my free license for personal use. The odd part is it made me re-download the program, even though I had it downloaded? All my files were still there, which was nice. Either way, I'm back in.

Sorry for the false alarm; hopefully this confusion might help someone else who gets the same message.

 

[rattle_snake]

Getting Miller 375 plasma cutter modified for CNC automation by bringing trigger and output voltage out to a connector. The trigger aspect is simple, allow table controller to fire plasma machine by closing a contact.
The torch/work output voltage is used for torch height control, but needs to be divided by 50 for use by THC. Easy enough, 2 resistors.

Langmuir's THC kit came with a divider box. I opened it up to see how they did the voltage attenuation and 'filtering'. Didn't want to re-engineer a filter that is already done and tested so just used their box.


Attached box inside the unit so I didn't have to run high voltage (92V in my case) out small connector that is not rated, or have it spew noise into trigger circuit. THC divided output goes to bulkhead connector.


High voltage leads go to 'work+' and 'torch-'. Tapped into trigger leads (violet)


Whipped up a cable assembly to connect plasma to table.


Previously the air filter was attached to weld cart. I wanted to keep it with plasma machine instead of mounting to table, so attached to cover and plumbed it up. Added a valve on air inlet so I can unplug without blowing my ear drums, as the filter and hoses hold a fair amount of air volume. Else I need ear-pro.


Connected cutter to table. 220v power cord is long enough. Strung up torch lead. Installed fire control sw and moved head around to make sure wiring didn't impede movement, had to change a few things.


Next step is dedicated air system. Can't decide which of 3 options to go with.
- run hose under lift from existing drop on other post
- extend piping on ceiling almost all the way to other wall (north)
- continue main line on north wall and put in 2nd short ceiling pipe

I still have a 20' piece of 1/2 pipe, so just need to decide and do it. Not a blocking item as I can just use a hose on floor.