ranger 1,769 #151 Posted February 17, 2015 good idea, make sure the seal is good between the fuel and beer side, don't want petroly beer! or worse get your tractor drunk!! i say aluminium too anyway! Could run engine on alcohol as well :) 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oaktown1987 82 #152 Posted February 20, 2015 Why can't we just leave wheel horses sTock Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
callum12 256 #153 Posted February 20, 2015 because its like leaving a canvas blank!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #154 Posted February 21, 2015 i love it, maybe a toolbox, fuel tank or sandwich box behind the rear seat? a stainless steel brushed metal fuel tank would look amazing! Thanks Callum, I think the space behind the seat will be staying as it is.. I don't want to put any more weight behind the rear axle if I can help it. There is a space saved under the hood for a fuel tank Have you ever just picked up a piece of steel and said "I just cant use this"? Shockingly, yes... But only if the bit of metal is too small, too rusted, or just too twisted out of shape Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #155 Posted February 21, 2015 An aluminum, ( We say 'aluminium' ) beer keg as a fuel tank, split half & half fuel & beer But only drink the beer when all the fuel has been burnt p.s. After a full throttle wheely down the strip, You'll be ready for a drink good idea, make sure the seal is good between the fuel and beer side, don't want petroly beer! or worse get your tractor drunk!! i say aluminium too anyway! Could run engine on alcohol as well Your both nutters, you know that don't you Why can't we just leave wheel horses sTock Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I just can't help myself Seriously though, there are plenty of stock Wh's out there so the odd custom machine can't hurt.. When I got this Wh (a Raider 10, one of the most common in the UK) it had no engine, wiring, fuel tank, hood, seat.. Badly rusted fender pan and belt guard, odd wheels on the front.. The list goes on.. So really it was only a "parts" machine.. So what I have done is give it a second more exciting chance at life because its like leaving a canvas blank!! Well said Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #156 Posted February 21, 2015 I hope you all like lot's of photo's as there's quite a few I've turned my attention back to the front end, it would be nice to get it rolling so it can be taken off the bench and wheeled outside for a good look... Anyway, I did a little tweak to the disc hub thingy to create a bit more caliper space inside the wheel.. I'm happy there's plenty of clearance now.. My front end design came from http://www.ronsbits.co.uk a place that sells mower racing parts to... Well, mower racers My starting point is this lot.. A block of steel that need cutting in half, a length of steel bar that needs cutting in four, and four rather large rose joints, here's two of them.. Steel block sliced in two, one half has been faced off in the lathe to make sure it's square.. Or even rectangular The trailer spindles I'm using need a little trim in the lathe, here's Nigel trimming one of the spindles.. Ta Daa.. Now for the fun bit.. The block needs a hole bored through it at a 6 degree angle to give me some good steering geometry.. If I had of had a big enough drill bit I could of just set the bed on my pillar drill to the right angle and drilled the hole.. But as I don't have a big enough drill bit I had to work out how to do it on the lathe.. After a lot of thought I came up with a simple solution using a bit of cardboard and something that looks like a tuning fork but minus the handle! Plonk the block (making sure it's the right way round) in the rectangle conveniently marked out on the cardboard.. Line the ruler up with the other line which just happens to be at the correct 6' degree's to the block.. And add the half of tuning fork until it lines up with the ruler. The end of the fork tips (I need to think of a better name for it ) also has the correct angle to make it line up right... Clamp everything down firmly (there was a 8mm thick plate under the cardboard for firm clamping), and weld the fork to the block.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #157 Posted February 21, 2015 So how did the block at an angle look spinning around on the lathe??? Blurred! So I thought I'd better turn the camera flash on which has the power to stop time for a split second The boring drill bit wasn't quite big enough so I had to use a boring bar to take the hole out to the right size.. Anyway, have a photo of a spindle stuck in a steel block at just the right angle A quick bit of reassembly to check block to disc clearance.. There be plenty I will be tapering both ends of the block to make it look nice, but also to give a bit more space allowing me to get the block a bit closer to the wheel.. Mounting the calipers should be easy, just make a bracket to bolt on the caliper and weld the other side to the block A bit of mass production, all machined to length. Turned down to the right diameter and one notched.. The notch is for fitting a rose joint.. This will sit about here... I need to bore a 3/4 inch deep hole in the block to sink the steel bar into.. Which will get the rose joint sitting about here... And that folks is this thread up to date once again... Making my own front end (steering and brakes) is certainly a lot of work and lot's of thinking is involved, but I'm really enjoying the challenge.. Your never too old to learn 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trouty56 567 #158 Posted February 21, 2015 I for one, appreciate how well you document these projects and how you explain each step....really is an eye opener for me.....THANK!!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #159 Posted February 24, 2015 Thanks Bob, it's good to know I'm not making it too boring a read Good progress has been made made today, both steel blocks have been bored out to take the lengths of steel that pivot in the rose joints.. Jumping slightly forward here as I forgot to take photo's of all the stages.. Both pivot thingys have been drilled and a thread tapped to keep the rose joints in position, and both pivot thingys were press fitted into the block.. a nice tight fit they were too You may of also noted from the above photo that the whole thing has been put in the lathe so I can cut a few tapers... If your wondering it span quite straight only a 1mm out of true.. Quite chuffed with that Stub axle installed, another tight pressure fit.. I still need to weld it all together, and yes the bearing will be coming off before the hot sparks fly.. I'm rather happy with how this front end lark is coming together 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
callum12 256 #160 Posted February 24, 2015 looking amazing lathes...there're so versatile aren't they! have you ever thought about a milling machine? i know i have thanks again for a update 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #161 Posted March 4, 2015 looking amazing lathes...there're so versatile aren't they! have you ever thought about a milling machine? i know i have thanks again for a update Thanks Callum, yeah lathes are great machines, it's amazing what you can do on them.. I'd love a milling machine, one would make life much faster and take a lot of use from my poor lathe.. As it happens I'm off to look at another lathe today.. No idea what make it is... Should be interesting though.. With both kingpin steering pivot thingys welded up (although in need of a little cosmetic grinding), the time had come to mount them to the front axle at an angle of 80 degrees A close up for ya all.. And at last Why Not is finally on all four wheels.. Yes the camber is a bit radical but that will be sorted when some nylock nuts arrive hopefully tomorrow. Of course now with Why Not rolling she had to be taken off the bench and wheel outside for a look at her on ground level.. But before those photo's a BIG to Nigel for helping all day Monday to get Why Not on all fours.. Thanks Mate A few photo's taken in the great out doors And for your viewing pleasure a video 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 63,201 #162 Posted March 4, 2015 Mounting the calipers should be easy, just make a bracket to bolt on the caliper and weld the other side to the block love that! you're making amazing progress with such great skill and confidence! This is so much fun watching it all come together. do you have any bloopers reels of video or do you not really mess up and "scrap" an idea? thanks for sharing Ian Kevin 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,531 #163 Posted March 4, 2015 Very cool Ian! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse46 519 #164 Posted March 4, 2015 This is sooooo close to being a hotrod, I wouldn't be able to help myself. Break out the english wheel and roll some cool fenders!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JC 1965 1,530 #165 Posted March 4, 2015 You've made a lot of progress Ian. I love the video. Can't wait for your first trial run, and can't wait until your next video. Thanks for sharing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
callum12 256 #166 Posted March 4, 2015 this is going to be soo cool, do you have any doubts about stability at speed? i suppose the camber will keep that in check. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 604 #167 Posted March 5, 2015 A roll bar and wheelie bars might be a good idea for that Bad Boy! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #168 Posted March 7, 2015 love that! you're making amazing progress with such great skill and confidence! This is so much fun watching it all come together. do you have any bloopers reels of video or do you not really mess up and "scrap" an idea? thanks for sharing Ian Kevin Thanks Kevin, the only bloopers I have on video are me messing up my lines and totally forgetting what I was going to say. When I built the 6x6 I spent too long trying to get bit's working (like the brake steering) that clearly were never going to work! With this project I'm taking my time thinking this through so I only have to do them the once.. So by taking my time I'm actually saving loads of time Very cool Ian! Thanks Richie This is sooooo close to being a hotrod, I wouldn't be able to help myself. Break out the english wheel and roll some cool fenders!! Making it look like a hot rod is the idea I think the rear fenders are cool, but they just needed a little tweak to get them sitting right.. You've made a lot of progress Ian. I love the video. Can't wait for your first trial run, and can't wait until your next video. Thanks for sharing. Thanks Jerry, the video wasn't over the top was it? It was a rather long one! I can't wait for the first trial run too, but a little while to go until that happens.. this is going to be soo cool, do you have any doubts about stability at speed? i suppose the camber will keep that in check. Thanks Callum.. strangely enough I don't have any doubts about stability at speed... It's hard to explain, but when I sat on her for the photo's it just felt right.... Having driven a racing Wheel Horse (if only for a few laps around the track) they feel quite unstable and very twitchy due to the short wheel base.. Even at standstill you just get the feeling that it will be "interesting" to keep in a straight line... Due to Why Not's much longer and wider wheel base that feeling just isn't there.. It feels long and low.... Like I said, it's hard to explain A roll bar and wheelie bars might be a good idea for that Bad Boy! Hi Don, a roll bar would be good for safety but not so good for keeping the center of gravity low.. I don't think the wheelie bars will be needed.. Now I know how heavy the front is after removing it from the bench (two people could of just about lift the front but three were easier), I can't see the front wheels lifting under a hard launch.. Light steering maybe, but no more..... Then again, I may be wrong.. Some more thinking is needed A bit more progress, the second brake disc and spacer/hub adapter thingy have been made and welded to the hubs... Brake caliper in place but not fitted yet. Almost full lock.. One thing bugged me with the outside photo's... The fender pan looked to be leaning towards the back!! But with a bit of box section wedged under the back a much meaner aggressive look emerged... I guess I have a few tweaks to do in this department 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #169 Posted March 12, 2015 Evening all, well after the shock of finding a fully grown tree outside my workshop when I arrived! I started to sort out this mess of wiring.. And by the end of the day, the Beast has awakened 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse46 519 #170 Posted March 13, 2015 That made me chuckle, when it back fired. I think you may need bigger silencers though, man that thing is loud! Definately needs a custom mower deck Stigian, i can see now...lovely summer evening, the motor puring away 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nappypappy 98 #171 Posted March 13, 2015 great job just wish I was that good on that kind of work.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedRanger 1,468 #172 Posted March 13, 2015 Put a smile on my face. Totally bad ass! Faithfully watching for the next step. Looking forward to the finished project. Nice work. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 17,531 #173 Posted March 13, 2015 See Ian jump? Lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #174 Posted March 15, 2015 (edited) That made me chuckle, when it back fired. I think you may need bigger silencers though, man that thing is loud! Definately needs a custom mower deck Stigian, i can see now...lovely summer evening, the motor puring away I thought the backfire would make people laugh, that's why I left it in the vid When WN was first started she didn't have any silencing at all. sliding the end cans on didn't really make any difference as they were such a loose fit! But rest assured, she will be a bit quieter when the first test drive comes... great job just wish I was that good on that kind of work.... Thanks.. I'm self taught at this fabrication lark, so you could be too.... You sound keen to be building something so give it a whirl. You never know, it might come naturally to you Put a smile on my face. Totally bad ass! Faithfully watching for the next step. Looking forward to the finished project. Nice work. Thanks dude, the next step is on the way See Ian jump? Lol That's the beauty of video you see... You can rewind and watch me jump over and over again Well, after getting distracted by a lathe, moving the workshop about, a random tree and making lot's of noise Thursday, I'm finally cracking on with the front brakes again and get the calipers mounted.. Add a bit of metal, that bit under my finger.. Throw in a couple of triangles to put some strength back, here's one of em. Garnish with a couple of long bolts including having to drill through the kingpin pivot spindle thingy! Tack welded together. A fully welded up caliper bracket.. I think don't think it will fall apart in a hurry One bolted on caliper, one to go.. Yes I will be cleaning up the welds at some point.. And yes the wheel does still fit Edited March 15, 2015 by Stigian 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jparkes43 329 #175 Posted March 15, 2015 nice work there, good job that they still actually fit! james 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
