ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[NUTTSGT]

Mike - that was an awesome post. And as you have stated that your mentor was quite modest, as I have read a lot of your responses and details about things you have accomplished, I find that he also passed that quality upon you too.

Great "short" back story. Thanks for sharing - and have a great Thanksgiving!

I couldn't have said it better myself. I believe we should start calling you Modest Mike.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Thanks John, I appreciate the kind words.

Glad to hear you also detail your lawn & garden equipment. Makes me feel like I'm not all "that" odd.

Thanks for following along and taking the time to comment.

You’re far from alone Mike, I even detail my pressure washer. ;-)

Regards,

Anders

 

[zmotorsports]

I couldn't have said it better myself. I believe we should start calling you Modest Mike.

I appreciate that Eric, but trust me I am far from modest no matter how I appear on the forum. My wife and I have been extremely blessed with the ability to work and provide for our family and enjoy the lifestyle that we do, but I am also quite proud of what I have been able to accomplish. So I'm not as modest as you may think, but I appreciate the gesture.

 

[zmotorsports]

You’re far from alone Mike, I even detail my pressure washer. ;-)

Regards,

Anders

Thanks Anders. I too detailed my new pressure washer, right after pressure washing and detailing the lawn & garden equipment, pressure washing the house, the shop and the Jeep undercarriage and engine bay.

I cleaned it all up, gave her a shot of lube through the pump and put it away for a few months.

I don't look at it that we're ****, we are merely taking proper care of our tools and assets.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I appreciate that Eric, but trust me I am far from modest no matter how I appear on the forum. My wife and I have been extremely blessed with the ability to work and provide for our family and enjoy the lifestyle that we do, but I am also quite proud of what I have been able to accomplish. So I'm not as modest as you may think, but I appreciate the gesture.

Well, I sure the hell aren't going to call you Magic Mike.

 

[Duker]

Well, I sure the hell aren't going to call you Magic Mike.

Some things are best hidden by that apron!! [emoji51]


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[zmotorsports]

Well, I sure the hell aren't going to call you Magic Mike.

Some things are best hidden by that apron!! [emoji51]


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Thanks. I appreciate you not going there guys.

 

[zmotorsports]

I’ve been keeping my eyes peeled for a good quality set of 5C collets by 1/64th’s. I had a smaller import set by 1/16th's but should have held out for the larger set from the get go.

I found a full set of used Hardinge collets online that are in very good condition. They showed up today and I cleaned them up and put them in the top drawer where they are readily accessible and within easy reach of the lathe.



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[Scuderia-F1]

Now that’s a great score Mike!

 

[zmotorsports]

Now that’s a great score Mike!

Thanks Anders. I was pretty excited when I found them and now excited to get started using them.

Thanks for following along on my projects Anders.

 

[Scuderia-F1]

Thanks Anders. I was pretty excited when I found them and now excited to get started using them.

Thanks for following along on my projects Anders.

It’s we who’re thanking you, the pleasure is all ours (we the followers of your awesome threads & YouTube channel)!

Regards,

Anders

 

[zmotorsports]

It’s we who’re thanking you, the pleasure is all ours (we the followers of your awesome threads & YouTube channel)!



Regards,



Anders

Thanks Anders.


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[zmotorsports]

I was able to start on another little project today that I have had floating around in my head for a long time now. I’m fabricating a fixture to hold axles on while working on them.

I wanted to build something back when I was building street rods, muscle cars and race cars but never found the time. Then I got away from them for a while when we were heavy into duning and snowmobiling but over the past several years of working on Jeeps and off-road vehicles I have been thinking it may have to go back on the “to do” list.

I’m tired of wrestling these axles around on my welding table. My son is getting ready to build the axles for his new Jeep WJ project and a friend asked me to build his axles in his Jeep after the first of the year so now is as good of time as any.

Dug through my metal supply and was able to locate everything I need so no out of pocket expense. The best kind of project.

I started with the adapter that will bolt to the engine stand.




Next I started on the arms that will come out from the stand. I cut recesses into them and filled those with some 4”x .250” wall tube that will support the axle and have the other half of the tube hinge over and pin.








Thanks for looking.


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[GLTHFJ60]

I made something similar that attaches to my welding table. I recommend coming up with a way to secure the housing to the stand, so that the axle can't move around when you're doing things like installing ball joints or differentials. Also, on an engine stand, you'll also be able to rotate an axle upright to make installing axle shafts easier

You can see the arms that come out from underneath the housing in this pic. They are 2" square tubing that slides into the 2.5" square rails of my bench:

 

[zmotorsports]

I made something similar that attaches to my welding table. I recommend coming up with a way to secure the housing to the stand, so that the axle can't move around when you're doing things like installing ball joints or differentials. Also, on an engine stand, you'll also be able to rotate an axle upright to make installing axle shafts easier

You can see the arms that come out from underneath the housing in this pic. They are 2" square tubing that slides into the 2.5" square rails of my bench:

Thanks for the picture.

As for my design, it will have a fastening system to lock down on the axle tubes to hold the axle in the saddles. I don't always like the pinion facing straight down which is where gravity naturally takes it so I came up with a way of holding the axle in any orientation needed.

I was going to go out into the shop yesterday and finish up machining the hinge assembly and threaded bungs for the fastening system but with the weather so nice I opted to change out the soffit lighting on the exterior of my house to LED's to match my shop.

I purchased the LED retrofit lights about two weeks ago but I figured it would nicer to do the lighting replacements in 65 degree sunny weather than wait until there's that nasty white stuff on the ground.

More axle housing build to come but thanks for showing me yours and thanks for checking in on my Projects Thread.

 

[Ohmthis]

Mike, did the holding tray come with the collets? I'm curious to see how you lock down the axle on the stand. Years ago I made a stand to you t to my floor jack for removing and installing an outdrive on a boat. Someone liked it better than me, I've been meaning to make another one.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, did the holding tray come with the collets? I'm curious to see how you lock down the axle on the stand. Years ago I made a stand to you t to my floor jack for removing and installing an outdrive on a boat. Someone liked it better than me, I've been meaning to make another one.

The collet rack I purchased from a guy on ebay who makes them. They are quite nice and he has several variations available plus will make anything custom that you want. I was going to get the stamped sheet metal style like I have for my smaller set but these were about the same cost and I thought they were nice seeing as how they were labeled with sizes. I haven't used it much in the past few days but so far I like the collet rack and it is easy to remove collets from the rack.

Thanks for following along on my projects thread.

I was hoping to make some progress on the axle stand tonight but the wife informed me that she now wants a wreath holder to place on the mantle over the fireplace so I was informed that just got moved to the top of the to do list.

 

[WhiffySpark]

I would add a set screw to keep the axle from turning when you’re working on them

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Mike, do you use collets for holding drill bits in lieu of a drill chuck? Also, your axle holder has me thinking about using my engine stand to hold a tubing bender.

 

[zmotorsports]

I would add a set screw to keep the axle from turning when you’re working on them

That's pretty much what I'm doing. I will have a "C" pivot over the axle in the saddles and in that "C" will be a threaded bung to thread a bolt down to hole the axle. The "C" will be able to easily pivot back out of the way and allow the axle to be removed on placed onto the stand, easy peezy.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, do you use collets for holding drill bits in lieu of a drill chuck? Also, your axle holder has me thinking about using my engine stand to hold a tubing bender.

I don't use collets for my drilling operations. I have a few nice chucks that I use in both the lathe and mill. For those smaller than about 3/8" or so I have a nice keyless chuck for each the lathe and mill but for much larger than that I use my Jacobs ball bearing chucks. I do however, use collets for my end mills in the mill, until I get up around 3/4" or so then I try to use end mill holders just due to the stresses involved, but then it naturally adds length to the setup so again, it depends on the application at the time.

Thanks for following along on my projects thread.

 

[zmotorsports]

‘‘Tis the season.....For honey-do’s that is. Mrs. Z wanted to hang a wreath over the fireplace but I did not want holes in my mortar or in the rock so I threw together a stand real quick and painted it to blend in with the mantle.

Started with just a piece of 3/16” x 6” square plate for the base then used a piece of 5/8”x .065” tubing and a piece of 3/16” O-1 drill rod bent with a very slight hook.






Trial run on the bench.


Wiped down, painted and in place. Project done. Happy wife, wonderful life.[emoji41]


While I was using the mill to drill the hole in the tubing I noticed my power drawbar didn’t sound quite normal. I shot a squirt of air tool oil in it and run it in/out a few times and I had a fitting that broke. I don’t know if it was damaged during the move or the fitting fatigued but luckily I was able to walk over to my drawer organizers m, open the drawer labeled “brass fittings” and was able to find a new 1/8”NPT ******.

Broken ******.


Broken piece extracted with an easy-out.


Completed.


Sounds and functions normally again.




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[johnyg]

got to love it when a plan comes together !!!

 

[zmotorsports]

got to love it when a plan comes together !!!

Absolutely!

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my projects.

 

[NASTYZEN]

Funny yours just rattled loose now Mike. I just installed one on my cnc mill the other day. What a time saver!
Thank you for sending me your plans a while back. There was no time to make one so I bought a Korean one. I still had to mod it to get it to work right though.
Mine sure makes a racket.

 

[zmotorsports]

Funny yours just rattled loose now Mike. I just installed one on my cnc mill the other day. What a time saver!
Thank you for sending me your plans a while back. There was no time to make one so I bought a Korean one. I still had to mod it to get it to work right though.
Mine sure makes a racket.

Thanks Claude, I still think maybe it got damaged or bumped during the move. I took it off the mill before hauling the mill from my old shop but it could have gotten knocked around a little even though I was trying to be careful. It must have cracked it until it finally let go because it had an odd sound when I used it just prior to the fitting holding the needle valves broke away completely.

Oh well, at least it was a quick and easy fix and I had a spare fitting.

I agree, they are definitely a time saver. I think my son is going to build one for his CNC mill. He has only had it running a short time now and he is already tired of manually unthreading the drawbar.

Thanks for stopping by my projects thread Claude.

 

[zmotorsports]

I started machining the hinges for my axle fixture tonight and while I had chips on the lathe I thought I would knock out another little project that I’ve had on my mind for a couple of years now, a lathe tool height gage.



After facing the bottom off I bored a small recess in which I could press and glue a small magnet in.





Creeping up on the proper length. I placed a .500” gage pin in the collet and then used a .250” on the top of the gage and machined the necessary amount until I had the exact same reading on both gage pins then I knew the height gage was exactly on the centerline.





I then clamped it in the mill vise and took some material off to create a flat that could allow the gage to be placed right alongside the lathe tool and set the height.





Trial run.



Lastly I mixed up a small amount of epoxy and glued the magnet into the base.





While the epoxy was drying on the tool I decided to add some rubber material to the stand I built a month or so ago for my hydraulic press accessories.









Thanks for looking.





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[heffneil]

Where did you get the rubber? I need a pad thats like 8 or 9 feet long for my barn door to slide in to. Then I need a way to affix it to the cedar. There is a slight gap and I really want to fill it somehow!

 

[zmotorsports]

Where did you get the rubber? I need a pad thats like 8 or 9 feet long for my barn door to slide in to. Then I need a way to affix it to the cedar. There is a slight gap and I really want to fill it somehow!

The rubber mats were actually the ones that came with my toolboxes that I incorporated into my work benches. They were the mats that went on top whereas I didn't use them I have them for projects such as this.

I think you can purchase this thin material from McMaster Carr. I know I have purchased some thicker rubber mat material from them in the past. You may want to check them out.

Thanks for stopping by my projects thread. I've enjoyed following along on your shop build, it is turning out fantastic.

 

[johnyg]

you did all that after work ? im guessing you dont watch allot of tv. good for you!!

 

[zmotorsports]

you did all that after work ? im guessing you dont watch allot of tv. good for you!!

I still get a little TV watching in but not much. I get home and have a couple hours a night in the shop before I go in to spend some time with the wife after she gets home from work and after dinner. It's never enough time in the shop though.

Thanks for stopping by my thread.

 

[shortykorte]

The trial run picture wasn’t display but now it is. Looks like a very useful tool. I’ll have to show my friend.


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[yaidunno]

Nice job on the height gauge. That looks like it would come in handy! I also see your putting the new 5C's to work.

 

[zmotorsports]

The trial run picture wasn’t display but now it is. Looks like a very useful tool. I’ll have to show my friend.


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Yeah Shorty, I don't understand what happened there. I looked earlier and just got the black X where the picture was supposed to be. I went in through Tapatalk and deleted the photo and reloaded it and it seemed to fix it. Don't know why it was like that though.

I also noticed a lot of other picture lately have been showing the black box with the "X" and don't understand why.

Thanks for the comments and for checking in on things.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice job on the height gauge. That looks like it would come in handy! I also see your putting the new 5C's to work.

Thank you. Yep, I'm trying to get some use out of them. I used my last set a little bit but having a limited set it turned out to be a bit troublesome because as soon as you machined more than about .015"-.020" off, they no longer gripped very well or true in the collet so it was just easier to use the 6-jaw chuck. I am definitely enjoying the collets though.

I'm hoping to be able to give my height gage a good test now that the epoxy should be dry tonight when I arrive home.

Thanks for following along and commenting.

 

[zmotorsports]

I had about an hour this evening after work so I ran out to the shop and machined the components for the hinges on the axle fixture.


This is roughly where they will be welded.


Next is to machine similar components for the latching end where I will use clevis pins to secure the clasp.

Thanks for looking.


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[zmotorsports]

I fixed a cup of coffee and headed out to the shop this morning and hung out with my son today. Very productive day and a perfect way to spend a Saturday.

Started by machining the remaining components for the hinges and clasps for the arms of my axle stand.


Welded in position.






Test fit.


I then machined the threaded bungs for the lock down bolts. Decided to use my weld positioner to weld the bungs in place. This reminds me of another project that I have wanted to build for a couple of years now, a TIG steady rest. The height of this positioner makes is difficult to rest my arms on during the TIG welding process.




Cut the arms out and welded the square tube.


All of the components painted and ready for final assembly.




Completed and installed on the engine stand.


Clamps opened and ready for an axle.


I think I may cut some thin rubber and glue it to the saddles where the axle will sit.

While in the middle of machining my MIL called and asked if I would look at her car. I had her bring the car by and I tested the battery and sure enough the battery is on it’s way south. Glad it happened now before it left her stranded in a snowstorm.

It is so nice to be able have the space that I can pull a car in behind my truck and not feel cramped. Plenty of room to walk around the car and work.



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[jeepinerdeep]

Nice axle stand. I had a C-Channel sawhorse set up for axles, but the pinion always swung down and interfered. This is way nicer.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice axle stand. I had a C-Channel sawhorse set up for axles, but the pinion always swung down and interfered. This is way nicer.

Thank you. That is precisely why I wanted to incorporate some way of locking the housing into position to keep the pinion from falling victim to gravity.

Thanks for stopping by my projects thread.


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[larry4406]

Excellent job on the axle stand!

What kind of rotator head is on your engine stand? Self locking worm gear?