Leaderboard

I'm always amazed and impressed by the wide variety of skills and the superior level of craftsmanship on display in this forum, especially the ability to fabricate everything from rugged, utilitarian parts to intricate, complicated mechanisms. I am not one of those people. In fact, until about two months ago, I had never done any metalwork at all. Then my neighbor bought a very nice Miller mig welder, and shortly thereafter acquired a plasma cutter and an oxy/acetylene setup. Never one to pass up a good opportunity, I jumped at the chance to get some hands-on experience. And in the ensuing weeks and months, he and I have combined his fabrication talents with my limited design skills to build some fun little artsy/crafty projects. So I figured it was about time to put my scant experience to use, and build something useful. Since I've been wanting to get a firepit, and really haven't seen one in the stores that I really liked, that seemed like a good starting point. Be forewarned...you will not find any refined fabrication skills in these photos. In fact, some of the welds are downright ugly. Still, given this is my first significant attempt at designing and fabricating something "real" and useful, I'm happy with the results. And honestly, how bad can you screw up a firepit? I started with a "napkin sketch", then transferrred the idea to the computer to draft up a set of dimension drawings, which evolved as the project proceeded. We ended up building 3 of these; one for me, one for him and one for his dad. Mine was the first, so it also functioned as our "test bed". The final unit is 36" x 36", and stands about 18"+/-. Without further ado, here's the genesis of this project. After cutting the sides and bottom out of a sheet of 12 guage steel with the plasma cutter, I tack welded the sides, fitting the pieces as one at a time. We had some challenges with the plasma cutter, so the edges of the metal were not as clean as we wanted on my unit, although with practice, we managed better cuts on the second two. Running the plasma cutter, using a piece of 1" square tube as a fence. Here is the first pass of the assembled unit. I liked the look, but when we actually pulled up some chairs around it, we decided it sat a little too tall. So after a little "ciphering", out came the die-grinder and I cut about 3" off the legs, then welded new feet on the bottom. Finally, here's the unit with cross-supports for the legs, and a coat of Rustoleum High Heat satin black paint. That's it! Nothing fancy, but I'm kinda proud of it, so I thought I'd share!

Hello All, I ordered an Amish built 20x20 garage/workshop combo back in October and it was delivered and setup today. I can't officially move in with heat and power until AFTER its inspected... but my Nova needed a warm spot for the winter and snuck in. The Wheel Horse Acres sign was made by my father and I thought it looked cool on the front for a photo op. It won't stand up to the weather so it will be hung inside. I can't wait to start turning wrenches on some of the projects that have been honestly neglected around here! Happy New Year to All!! Tony

Real men don't need no stinking cab!!

Hello everyone! Just another new guy. I rode on my first Wheelhorse when i was 18 months old. And my papaw still has it in the barn. I think its a 653. He has a Charger 12 and a GT 14 also. I'm getting the GT 14 all tuned so I can plow some when it falls so i'm sure that i will have some questions.

So I purchase a nice 2-stage blower to run on my 520H. Today I have the first chance to use it with about 3 inches of snow. I FROZE MY A#$ OFF! Holy Crap! How in the heck do you guys do this? I know not everyone has a snow cab. Once I thaw out a bit Im to have to rethink the snow cab idea again. Denver

Here are some pics of my 857. I bought it in the summer of 2010 and did a total restore. It took me about nine months to complete. This was my first wheel horse and first restore.

1968 Commando 8. Stored in enviromental cellar for 15 years in PA.

You know you spend too much time at the cabin in Michigan's Upper Penninsula when your winter wardrobe is your summer wardrobe, including flip-flops, covered by a parka!

Jim Beam and warm clothes.

All I can offer is Bob's walk behind has a clinton..... I do have this though....My older cousins and me on a 9N: Charlie

Now you just need some of these heavy duty and multi purpose stools.

Great picture Chris. Looking at the shifter, seat spring, three foot pedals, and steering support, I'd guess it's a 1948 Farmall Cub. By the way, that is what I learned to drive on myself.

There's no photos of me as a youngster on any machinery that I know of....so how about one of my wife instead. She's about 3 years old here, on her family's farm in Suffolk, VA. I have no idea what type of tractor this is, but I know that as a teenager she learned to drive it before they let her behind the wheel of a car!

You need to dress like me

I put a 2 stage on my 520 a couple of years ago. Went out made one pass wimp out said to hell with this. I parked it in the barn used the tractor with a blade on it for the rest of the winter and got a cab for the 520 for the following year. Getting too old to eat snow like I used to. And that's how I do it.

The trick to heating them cabs up is eatin lots of franks and beans.

I can't tell what you are gonna build, but I'm sure whatever you do, MacGyver will be proud :ychain: I can tell you that I am sure it will be a top-notch build and I am looking forward to seeing it.

Scott, I am really impressed with my hitch. I appreciate your call about possible fitting issues (which never came to be) as well. Couldn't be happier. I had #240 of suitcase weights on it this weekend. I can't wait until spring to work it even harder. Thanks, Wayne

I think it's a given, this image should be featured in the new for 2012 calender this year. Confirm?

Getting some good milage out of this pict lately, but I thought it applied to this thread too. Yes sir, that little guy is me(gotta be circa '64 because I'm a late '63 model)sitting there on my Grandfather's knee. Ned Arden Cole was, and is still the most powerful piece of farm equipment I've ever known. :bow-blue:

How about my Grandsons first time working on an engine? 10 seconds later he smacked me square in the nose with the Wrench and made Pa Pa cry... TIP OF THE DAY: 9/16 WRENCH TO THE TIP OF THE NOSE STARTS THE WATER WORKS IMMEDIATELY!

If no significant other - get woman Place woman behind tractor Tell woman to push when extra power is desired :lol:

Is that a 1978 or 1979? I may have some parts left from my '79 C-101 that I scrapped.