Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage

[Strouty]

We also have a dead mouse somewhere, I think it is in the wall, you only sell it when you first walk near where my computer is, then you can't smell it anymore, at least not enough to determine where the smell is coming from.

I am also trying to drill some chamfered holes in the top of my frame rails so I can have flush mounted bolts, apparently I am beyond my abilities. I bought a high speed steel pit that has the proper 82 degree angle, I am only trying to make an existing hole chamfered, I don't even have to drill a new hole, I got a little ways, then nothing. I have tried to use a step bit with the same outcome, it just spins, not even an attempt to drill any further than the first pass got me. If I can't make it work, I may have to make a new plate to cover the existing bolts or something with chamfered holes to accept the new bolts. I new frames were tough, but I didn't think they were this bad.



I need this to area to be flat for the Tru-Hitch, right now it kind of balances on the bolt heads, dances would probably be a better description..

 

[Strouty]

Yup, I screwed that up, just ordered a titanium coated cobalt bit, if that doesn't work, they have carbide insert bits, but I need to setup a way for the mag drill to hold it, otherwise it would just destroy itself. The cobalt bit might do it, might not, only one way to find out, should be here Friday, wish I had ordered it a couple hours ago, it would have been here tomorrow.....

EDIT - Might not matter, I think that the step bit I was using was a cobalt step bit, if so then I am SOL and will have to spend a bit more money to get the insert bit.

Another EDIT - I ordered the carbide insert bit, tried to cancel the cobalt one, might still end up with it. I guess I am making a jig for the mag drill to hold tight to the top of the frame.

 

[rvieceli]

Strouty how about fabbing a new plate for that area? Piece of flat bar thick enough to bury the bolt heads in. Drill the appropriate bolt holes then use a counterbore big enough to clear the correct size socket. Counterbore deep enough to have bolt top slightly below the surface.

Ron

 

[Strouty]

It would have to use the three existing bolts, there are multiple layers of steel there and you are not actually supposed to drill holes in the top of the frame rails, these are from the factory. I can make a plate that uses the flush mount bolts, but it really seems like too much stuff sandwiched together. The tools that I ordered will get used again, so no big deal, just wish I had ordered the right stuff the first time.

 

[Strouty]

I made a deal for another rotobin, the price is right, will be a nice addition to my collection.

 

[steaks&anvils]

Your drill isn't set to reverse is it?

I only ask because I have done this myself...

Your holes do look like they drilled much more than I encountered in my hole fiasco...

 

[kent_323is]

With a countersink bit, and going that big, you need lots of down pressure, and very slow RPMs. I have done similar sized countersinks, but I put them in the vertical mill, put it in back gear and to the lowest speed. Then it cuts very well.
If you go too fast, you harden the steel you are trying to countersink. A cordless drill turns too fast for the size you are trying to do.

 

[Strouty]

The best I can do is the mag drill, not going to be able to put the frame in the mill, it would be too much of a hassle to get it setup.

 

[kent_323is]

right, the point is to use your mag drill with the slowest speed possible.

 

[Strouty]

The slowest it will go is 400 RPMs, I will make sure it is clamped down as well, then I can really put some pressure on it. If it doesn't work, then I guess I will be rethinking things. I probably won't touch things until sometime next week, by the time my parts arrive, it will be raining and I can't bring Perk inside right now.

 

[bimmer1980]

Candidly, I personally like the countersinks with a single cutting edge. For me, they seem to bit in and cut better. The multi-cutters seem to chatter more for me.

Definitely need good, consistent pressure for the cutter to bit and cut.

With the torque of the mag drill, you could even set the bit down on the steel, then with even pressure, turn the drill on and let it come up to speed as it bits in and cuts. Instead of starting at full RPM and then engaging the material.

A little lube probably doesn't hurt as well.....

side note....Another poster mentioned a plate to install on top.... might not be a bad idea.. if it needs to have the TruHitch slide on it, get a chunk of HPDE, bore the clearance holes for the bolts heads and clamp it to the top of the frame rail with a electrical beam clamp (or similar).

 

[Strouty]

IT isn't about sliding, the feet sit there during transport and while setting things up. I should be afraid to have something any slipperier than the steel itself. I did find some heavier duty lower profile flat head bolts, they would need a lot less chamfering. I want to at least try the new bit and the mag drill before I give up on the current plan.

 

[Strouty]

Good thing is that I don’t need to go too much deeper than what I had already done.



While at the dump, these followed me home:


I figured why not bring something home? Might be useful, might never get used. Seems like they will fit right in.

I am currently working on the dump trailer box, the lid broke the hinge off a while ago, so I need to get it working again, otherwise things get really wet when it rains. I actually had to drain the controller, it was full of water, my bad.

 

[xtremek]

DANG. Until you put your hand next to them, I thought they would be something you could use on a smaller truck (small for you). They're huge next to your hand, and you seem to have bit mits.

 

[Strouty]

The guy charged me $5, I figured they could be used as lifting eyes for something someday.

 

[Strouty]

I had another annoying issue, my absolutely awesome and super comfortable welding helmet is also the worst choice for anyone that doesn’t welding consistently, batteries are dead and I have no idea where the spares are. I had this issue before, luckily I had a backup helmet, but still annoying as can be. I think I have to put some spare batteries on the wall or somewhere they can’t go missing.

I did my best impression of Andrew Camarata, I used galvanized pipe and rusty steel, didn’t clean anything at all, just made it stick, matches the patina of the trailer really well……

 

[harley jim]

Duct tape the spares inside the hood.

 

[walrus]

I asked my buddy the welder why he doesn't use a self darkening mask. He answered by throwing his helmet about 20 ft on to the concrete, walked over, put it back on and said it still works.

Can't tell that trailer has been around Maine

 

[harley jim]

It's much easier to use an auto darkening hood when doing certain welding chores like tig when your hands are full. I was the shop boss in a welding shop and I can tell you first hand that those prima donnas will ***** about anything but they all have an auto darkening helmet or know where one is when they want one.

 

[Strouty]

I have found most auto darkening helmets to be pretty resilient, this one has all kinds of bells and whistles, but it can’t shut off the juice after sitting dormant.

 

[harley jim]

I always get the solar ones, I'm too lazy to chase batteries.
I want to buy a viking 3350 but cant getpast the price

 

[xtremek]

I've only tried one a couple of times, and ended up with a light case of flash burn each time.

 

[Monza Harry]

I always get the solar ones, I'm too lazy to chase batteries.
I want to buy a viking 3350 but cant getpast the price

Harley Jim, I've had mine for 3 +/- years and I paid with Canadian dollars (1.30$ Canadian to $1.00 US list is north of $500 Cdn) and it is a remarkable helmet! I'm very happy with mine, a place for magnifiers, #5 to #13 shade replaceable battery, and true colour. Try one and you'll likely find a way to pay for it I'd guess, I did and it hurt, and I would do it again. New ones have external grind switch now, external dimmer would be my only wish, outside of price. This BLOWS my old Optrel so far out of the water it's now orbiting Mars. Strouty you could keep your helmt in a clear bag to keep it clean, and in the light near a window etc. to help with battery life. Harry
Sorry for the diversion, back to Strouty's adventures!

 

[kaymccampbell]

Strouty, frame rails are some of the toughest steel there is. You can try annealing it, then hardening and tempering it again, but that's tricky even in controlled circumstances. And a lot of times the steel has really hard nodes in it. My favorite drills for truck frames are carbide. I drool a little water based cutting fluid on things and drill away.

 

[Strouty]

My welding helmet is a “solar” one, still goes dead as a door nail. I purposely leave it facing up so it gets light, maybe it is just a bad unit, I may contact Miller and see what they say.

Kay, hopefully I will be in business once the new chamfer bits arrive, we will see.

 

[Strouty]

Last night was a late night $hit show, I was trying to get things ready for today, going to pick up four 330 gallon IBC totes for the new water system in the basement and they are a pain because I don't have anything to move four tanks at once. I am taking the F-350 and the dump trailer, except the dump trailer got a flat from the dump yesterday Luckily I had a plug kit, so I did get it sealed up last night, we will see if it held when I get back to the SG.

This morning starts out with a call from the real estate people, they want to discount the camp winter rental rate because of comps in the area, I told her no, let the comps rent, then we will be fine. We have rented it at the same rate for five years with no issues at all, maybe it will be different this year, but I am not starting low.

Then I get a frantic call from my Dad, he says he can't charge on the credit card, he says it was declined, then he tells me he called them and they say that there was a $4700 charge and he thinks it is fraud. So I dive into it, sure enough, we are over our limit, so I am thinking fraud as well. Nope, just Dad, the $4700 was actually the last payment, he racked up almost $15k in the last three days buying miscellaneous supplies and parts for the island cottage. He wants me to pay for everything through the company, then he will get paid by the Trusts (they own the property), then he will "loan" the company money to pay for it, normally this would work fine, except he is doing things so haphazardly that I don't even know where to begin. The best part is, he isn't going to stop spending, he is just swapping to another credit card..........

 

[xtremek]

That does sound like a $h1t show. Good luck with the financials.

 

[Strouty]

I am still waiting on the final piece of the puzzle from he bank, the Treasury department sets up the online accounts and because there are 7 accounts (I think it was 7?) that all need to talk to each other, it is tougher than normal. I hope to have all that done by October, that way I can at least transfer money between accounts and not have to go to the bank to figure out how much is in each account, then write a check, then get Dad to sign it, then go back to the bank to deposit it.......

You get the idea, it is a PITA right now. As for Dad and his spending, I think that will always be a roller coaster.

 

[Strouty]

I just ordered lots of toilet paper and paper towels, seems like some stores are starting to limit quantities again, I am not going to run out! I need to work on my pantry a bit as well, Maine is harsh come winter, especially without any TP or food.........

 

[kaymccampbell]

No corn cobs?

 

[Strouty]

I am more of a three seashells kind of guy if I don't have any TP.

I went and picked up the 330 gallon IBC (Intermediate Bulk Containers) totes, they were better than expected, they looked new, he said they were one time use. I guess it was for some drink mixes or something, they are food grade and were "certified rinsed" three times (had a tag and everything), these are by far the nicest I have ever seen. The bottom is a full plastic pallet, so there is no metal touching the ground at all, plus the tank is completely separate from the pallet base, yet still fully connected, so lifting them with a forklift is safer and easier.




After that I headed over to pick up the rotobin, it was missing the bearings, but at $100 I still bought it, then I started talking to the seller, apparently this was all his Dad's stuff, Mom is downsizing and they need to get some stuff gone. There was a cute little Wilton vice that I was eyeballing, ended up making a deal where I will haul all the "trash" off and I can keep the vise and a bunch of other things for my troubles. I think it will be worth it for the effort, plus it will be kind of fun.

 

[Chrisb62]

Soooooooo more to do...........nice

 

[Strouty]

This will be fun, like a treasure hunt......

 

[Chrisb62]

I don’t doubt it at all ....... just a time ****....... hope you find all kinds of treasures

 

[Strouty]

The vise is worth the entire effort. There were some other really cool things as well, so should be a good haul.

 

[smalltown]

Nice looking vice !

 

[steaks&anvils]

Mom is downsizing and they need to get some stuff gone. There was a cute little Wilton vice that I was eyeballing, ended up making a deal where I will haul all the "trash" off and I can keep the vise and a bunch of other things for my troubles. I think it will be worth it for the effort, plus it will be kind of fun.

We all know that your true "VICE" is getting more stuff. But a big vise isn't stuff, it's a lifestyle.

 

[xtremek]

Looking forward to seeing what you haul in.

 

[Strouty]

The vise will be the best part for sure, but there are some other treasures as well. I should have taken more pictures, but it was a spur of the moment thing.

 

[harley jim]

Wilton's are a very sought after vise. I have a smaller one