Show off your tubular projects here.

[ZTFab]

Almost done with my beater bag stand. I haven't figured out exactly how I want to store the post dollies and accessories yet, but at least it's useable now.

I sprayed it with WD-40 while it was still hot for "patina", and gave it a coat of linseed oil for some protection.

That's turning out great Andrew.

Any pics of any projects you've made with the shot bags?

 

[DarkMonohue]

Looks like "stack of ****"

And on that note, here are some of my projects...well, "products" is more appropriate than "projects" since this is a (hobby) business and these are all sold to paying customers.


THe most popular is a little adapter downpipe that mates a 20-valve Toyota 4AGE header to an early ('85-'89, or AW11 chassis) MR2 exhaust system:

Same thing is also available in kit form:

There's not much tubing in these, but I also make bolt-in cataltyic converters and test pipes (resonator version shown):

Nothing much to brag about, but it gives me something to do, and fills a very small niche.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Almost done with my beater bag stand. I haven't figured out exactly how I want to store the post dollies and accessories yet, but at least it's useable now.

I sprayed it with WD-40 while it was still hot for "patina", and gave it a coat of linseed oil for some protection.

Wow! That turned out real nice.
Can't buy one like that at the store....

 

[SWT Racing]

That's turning out great Andrew.

Any pics of any projects you've made with the shot bags?

Thanks ZT.

I'm just getting started in this type of work out of necessity, since I have to cut some fairly large portions out of the floor of my Vega to fix some shoddy subframe connector work I had done 20 years ago before I learned how to fab. Since I'm cutting out the old 12-point cage for a new SFI 25.5, the time has come to fix it all. I've been practicing on scrap in the meantime.

I went to a metalshaping meet a couple months ago to learn from some very experienced gentlemen, and I found it just plain fun to learn.

This is one of the only pics I have at the moment.

The steel square on the left is all wheeling work, but the other used a combination of hollowing on the bag and tuck shrinking, along with planishing on the wheel. I figure I'm going to make the wife a number of decorative bowls before I start making panels.

 

[NASTYZEN]

And on that note, here are some of my projects...well, "products" is more appropriate than "projects" since this is a (hobby) business and these are all sold to paying customers.

Nothing much to brag about, but it gives me something to do, and fills a very small niche.

Nothing wrong with making stuff out of your shop and getting $$$ for it.
Nice bends.
What do you use to bend your tube with ?
.

 

[ZTFab]

Thanks ZT.

I went to a metalshaping meet a couple months ago to learn from some very experienced gentlemen, and I found it just plain fun to learn.

This is one of the only pics I have at the moment.

The steel square on the left is all wheeling work, but the other used a combination of hollowing on the bag and tuck shrinking, along with planishing on the wheel. I figure I'm going to make the wife a number of decorative bowls before I start making panels.

Nice! I would love to learn more on deep sheet metal forming. It is truly an art form.

 

[ZTFab]

And on that note, here are some of my projects...well, "products" is more appropriate than "projects" since this is a (hobby) business and these are all sold to paying customers.

Nothing wrong with those!

...and it's nice to see that you use the factory gaskets. (I'm a former Toyota Master Tech).

 

[ZTFab]

Here's one I'm diggin' up from the archives.

It's a 9" ford rear differential housing I built.

Stock HD 9" center section and I sleeve in new 3.25" x .250" DOM tubing. I cut all the plate work on my bandsaw.

I designed "U-Bolt eliminators" that use 4- 5/8" F-911 straight bolts per leaf pack to keep the housing in place as u-bolts have a tendency to loosen up.

 

[DarkMonohue]

Nice bends.
What do you use to bend your tube with ?

Thanks, but I don't bend them myself. I have them mandrel bent to my specs by a local high-end exhaust shop, and then I cut and trim everything to fit, piece it all together, and zip it up.

Nothing wrong with those! ...and it's nice to see that you use the factory gaskets. (I'm a former Toyota Master Tech).

Thanks a lot! I work in the parts department at a Toyota store so I have a few resources there. The whole point with these was to be a totally bolt-in product, and that means accommodating factory gaskets and hardware. I should probably to update the site since the downpipes are a little different now (longer secondaries) and I now use flanges that are laser cut and machined for OEM gaskets by a local machine shop rather than the stamped units seen in the photos.

Anyway, nothing to compare to your inspiring works of art, but it's fun and provides a little beer money here and there.

 

[metalhead212121]

ZTFab- Could your welds be any more perfect?? I HATE YOU!

You got a shitload of welding clamps too! Any difference between the red ones and the regular silver ones? I know theres a lot of talk on here about people wanting older vise grips vs. newer ones because the quality isnt the same. Ive got a ton of vise grips.. all different shapes and sizes. Nothing compared to what you got but still a lot. Ive bought them from different places. The only ones I really didnt like were the craftsmen ones I bought new 10 years ago.

Keep up the good work! The next time Im in CA I expect a tour of your shop and a lesson or two in welding!


Dan

 

[NASTYZEN]

It's a 9" ford rear differential housing I built.

ZT, Man,...... you have great welding skills.......

 

[Zengineer]

ZT, Man,...... you have great welding skills.......

No **** man... Everytime I see them I just want to see more... It never gets old!

 

[monkers]

WOW!! ZT, awesome work, in both the fabricating, and welding!!!! thanks for sharing....

 

[Mario428]

Here's one I'm diggin' up from the archives.

It's a 9" ford rear differential housing I built.

Stock HD 9" center section and I sleeve in new 3.25" x .250" DOM tubing. I cut all the plate work on my bandsaw.

I designed "U-Bolt eliminators" that use 4- 5/8" F-911 straight bolts per leaf pack to keep the housing in place as u-bolts have a tendency to loosen up.

Some very nice fab work and amazing welds

 

[ZTFab]

ZTFab- Could your welds be any more perfect?? I HATE YOU!

You got a shitload of welding clamps too! Any difference between the red ones and the regular silver ones? I know theres a lot of talk on here about people wanting older vise grips vs. newer ones because the quality isnt the same. Ive got a ton of vise grips.. all different shapes and sizes. Nothing compared to what you got but still a lot. Ive bought them from different places. The only ones I really didnt like were the craftsmen ones I bought new 10 years ago.

Keep up the good work! The next time Im in CA I expect a tour of your shop and a lesson or two in welding!


Dan

Thanks man.

The red clamps are the Snap-On version of the vise grips. I like them and I have several versions of them including some of the deep reach styles.

My favorite out of all of the clamps that I own are my Bessey clamps. They work great.

Next time you're in CA, the door is open, the welder is on, and the beer is cold.

 

[ZTFab]

ZT, Man,...... you have great welding skills.......

No **** man... Everytime I see them I just want to see more... It never gets old!

WOW!! ZT, awesome work, in both the fabricating, and welding!!!! thanks for sharing....

Some very nice fab work and amazing welds

Thanks guys!

 

[metalhead212121]

Thanks man.

The red clamps are the Snap-On version of the vise grips. I like them and I have several versions of them including some of the deep reach styles.

My favorite out of all of the clamps that I own are my Bessey clamps. They work great.

Next time you're in CA, the door is open, the welder is on, and the beer is cold.

Just outta curiosity do you think there's any difference between Snap on version of vise grips and the "regular" ones?? Ive seen the red ones in snap on's catalog and figured that they just painted them red, stamped "snap on" and bumped up the price a little bit. I just checked snap on's website for the welding clamps... prices seem to be the reasonable compared to what everybody else wants for them. As far as bessey making clamps for welding.. I had to see it for myself. I thought bessey only made wood working clamps.

I'm boarding a plane now.. see you in a day or so. Just leave the lights on for me.

I swear garagejournal will be the reason why I file bankruptcy!!

Dan

 

[ZTFab]

Just outta curiosity do you think there's any difference between Snap on version of vise grips and the "regular" ones?? Ive seen the red ones in snap on's catalog and figured that they just painted them red, stamped "snap on" and bumped up the price a little bit. I just checked snap on's website for the welding clamps... prices seem to be the reasonable compared to what everybody else wants for them. As far as bessey making clamps for welding.. I had to see it for myself. I thought bessey only made wood working clamps.

I'm boarding a plane now.. see you in a day or so. Just leave the lights on for me.

I swear garagejournal will be the reason why I file bankruptcy!!

Dan

Sorry Dan, I know you asked before and I didn't really elaborate on the differences...just pointed out the obvious differences like a fu**ing mongoloid.

....Snap-On, red....Snap-on, good. Silver not,.... silver bad.

Probably just drank too much vodka/7Up drowning my sorrows. I spent all day cleaning my shop and scrapped over a half ton of steel to get a whopping $44 at the scrap yard. FML

The quality of the Snap-on clamps is good. I would say equivalent if not better to the original vise-grips and much better than the import knock-offs. The release mechanism is also different than the standard vise-grips. Instead of having you try to push/force the clamp apart to release it, and have the clamp come flying apart and usually pinch the **** out of your hand in the process, the Snap-on release has you pull the release lever which then forces the handle apart for you.

I will say that if you use these clamps to really clamp down on a part that the release mechanism can be a little hard to operate but if I want to get some serious clamping force on a part I just grab for a Bessey clamp.

Look at the two pics and you can see the difference in the release mechanisms.

 

[Olafur]

ZTFab: is a fine example of an individual who takes his work beyond trade and into the realm of art.

Just courious ZTFab- how does your handwriting look like?

 

[Mario428]

What thickness of metal do you use for the bracing? Looks to be in the 1/8 area.

I cut my braces from rect tubing on the laser and leave them tighter to the housing

Use the tube on the bottom between the brackets to brace that way.

 

[ZTFab]

ZTFab: is a fine example of an individual who takes his work beyond trade and into the realm of art.

Just courious ZTFab- how does your handwriting look like?

Thanks Olafur.

As far as the handwriting goes, I still remember back in 3rd grade when my teacher gave me an award for having the best handwriting in the class.

 

[ZTFab]

What thickness of metal do you use for the bracing? Looks to be in the 1/8 area.

I cut my braces from rect tubing on the laser and leave them tighter to the housing


Use the tube on the bottom between the brackets to brace that way.

Yes, that is 11 ga (.125" or 3mm).

Since this was a stock 9" housing I extended the bracing beyond the ring gear impression. Had it been a fabricated housing such as yours I would have kept the bracing flush to the back.

 

[E.rodz]

thought i would post this one up for you guys.saw this one at a local car show and thought you would get a kick out of this one too.LoL.

 

[metalhead212121]

ZTFab- I sent you a PM as to not hi-jack this thread.

Dan

 

[csp]

Here's one I'm diggin' up from the archives.

It's a 9" ford rear differential housing I built.

I remember seeing that one on another forum several years ago where someone else was trying to lay claim to your work as his own. Jeepsunlimited maybe?

 

[Mario428]

That intake is zany enough to be cool.
Horrible design, bad execution but I like it. LOL

 

[NASTYZEN]

Thanks Olafur.

As far as the handwriting goes, I still remember back in 3rd grade when my teacher gave me an award for having the best handwriting in the class.

That must be it! I remember Sister Edna when I was in third grade who made it a mission in her mind to get me to write well......I tried and tried......
People say I write like a doctor.

thought i would post this one up for you guys.saw this one at a local car show and thought you would get a kick out of this one too.LoL.

Creative, yet scary...


Speaking of scary, let me introduce , the Raptor.

Some time ago. Someone came by with this already started project.....
The idea. Stick a motorcycle behind two seats on wheels....I like it!

The idea sounds strait forward enouff for this guy, so he gets a bioke and draws up a 'cage' and has one made out of .080''walled tube.......
Now what?
That's when it landed in my lap.
So ,working with what I had. I married the two together using cro-moly tubing.
That seat is only for mock up.

I designed and built the front inboard push rod suspension using chevy front uprights.
Rod ends and crushed cromoly tubing A-arms.

I worked on this project incrementally.The owner would save up for a weeks work at my shop and trailer the Raptor up here then bring it back home and tinker.
Sadly, this is as far as the Raptor has been developed.........
The owner conceiver of the Raptor was a passenger in a head on accident of which he walked away.........
Two weeks later at his home, he told his 5 year old daughter he wasn't feeling well and was going to take a bath...............his last.....
He sent me these pictures a few weeks before he passed on.

Godspeed Pierre Luc! Hope your on your celestial reversed trike in the sky.

 

[Travis E.]

Here are two mini bikes that I built. I raced with a group of guys in the San Fernando Valley. They both had hydraulic rear disc brakes, 6.5 hp engine and were loads of fun. The gold bike would do 60 mph +. Here is a short video of one race.

 

[metalhead212121]

NASTYZEN- I thought for a second you were gonna say you had a hand in building this....

I dont know if you're familiar with it... its called a "T-Rex." I dont know much about it other than I believe its street legal and the price tag I think is around 40K USD. Ive only seen on in person. Its definatly cool... 40K price tag is pretty steep in my opinion.


Dan

 

[illmatyk]

That must be it! I remember Sister Edna when I was in third grade who made it a mission in her mind to get me to write well......I tried and tried......
People say I write like a doctor.



Creative, yet scary...


Speaking of scary, let me introduce , the Raptor.

Some time ago. Someone came by with this already started project.....
The idea. Stick a motorcycle behind two seats on wheels....I like it!

The idea sounds strait forward enouff for this guy, so he gets a bioke and draws up a 'cage' and has one made out of .080''walled tube.......
Now what?
That's when it landed in my lap.
So ,working with what I had. I married the two together using cro-moly tubing.
That seat is only for mock up.

I designed and built the front inboard push rod suspension using chevy front uprights.
Rod ends and crushed cromoly tubing A-arms.

I worked on this project incrementally.The owner would save up for a weeks work at my shop and trailer the Raptor up here then bring it back home and tinker.
Sadly, this is as far as the Raptor has been developed.........
The owner conceiver of the Raptor was a passenger in a head on accident of which he walked away.........
Two weeks later at his home, he told his 5 year old daughter he wasn't feeling well and was going to take a bath...............his last.....
He sent me these pictures a few weeks before he passed on.

Godspeed Pierre Luc! Hope your on your celestial reversed trike in the sky.

That Raptor looks dope! Was hoping to see a finished product. Sorry to hear about the owner passing away.

 

[archie87]

heres one I did, not as detailed as some on here, but not bad for what I had

 

[ZTFab]

I remember seeing that one on another forum several years ago where someone else was trying to lay claim to your work as his own. Jeepsunlimited maybe?

Yep....that whole fiasco spread around to a bunch of sites.

 

[Theron451]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a re-purposed old chair into a sturdy rear carrier and a trailer in the works:

 

[KMinAF]

After paying too much for crimped bends and booger welds I decided to build my own 3" exhaust. Tubing was sourced from Summit Racing and I used a Lincoln Weld Pack with 030 flux core wire.

 

[NASTYZEN]

NASTYZEN- I thought for a second you were gonna say you had a hand in building this....

I dont know if you're familiar with it... its called a "T-Rex." I dont know much about it other than I believe its street legal and the price tag I think is around 40K USD. Ive only seen on in person. Its definatly cool... 40K price tag is pretty steep in my opinion.


Dan

They build it 60 miles away from here. It's pretty rad. I like the Harly powered version more though.I crossed a gaggle of T-Rexes last year in Gatineau, there was over 20 of them. I was impressed.

heres one I did, not as detailed as some on here, but not bad for what I had

Looks like lots of fun.

I'll play, here is the bed cage in the back of my truck, with this, i now have 14" of limited wheel travel in the back of a 2500 dodge ram with a dana 80 rear axle. Mounted my fuel pump off to protect it from rocks.

Sorry, I can't see your pics....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a re-purposed old chair into a sturdy rear carrier and a trailer in the works:

Sorry I can't see yours ether...

After paying too much for crimped bends and booger welds I decided to build my own 3" exhaust. Tubing was sourced from Summit Racing and I used a Lincoln Weld Pack with 030 flux core wire.

Nothing like making something for yourself.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Prototype muffler for an R/C
The tubing will be changed over to carbon when thy figure out exactly what they need.

The baffle still needs to be cross drilled

BTW. If you look closely at the coin, you will find it's not a Moose, but in fact a Caribou.

 

[ZTFab]

Nice work NASTYZEN.

 

[eborcim]

race car we built a few years ago

 

[ZTFab]

My brother's a General Contractor and has a small pick-up for driving around to his job sites while his crew uses the big truck.

He wanted a simple, light duty rack that would bolt to the top of his shell and allow him to take a ladder and/or some materials since the bed of his truck is always crammed with tools.

1.25" x .090" square tubing welded to 11ga Cold rolled steel plates with mating plates for the bottom side of the shell.

Since he needs his truck for work I had him make me a template of the shell's contour so that I could build the rack on my bench when I had time.

It's nothing fancy but it will do exactly what he needs.

 

[hunter1151]

Very nice sir.........