Tub Cart Cancer Repair

[Texas Todd 1,025]

So I find a tub cart 300 miles away that was said to have surface rust but no holes or rot....... I needed to go up that way to pick up a deck for my 856 that I bought from a good guy in Carthage, MO. a couple months back and needed to pick it up and pay the man. So I thought this would be a two-fer trip.

 

The deck was just as described, just as I suspected it would.

I can't remember the model #, but we put our collective heads together and believed it would fit my 856. He said it came on a 1045 he acquired.

 

Anyhoo. I go to pick up the tub cart (in Oklahoma)and oh my....

The picture on CL had it standing up on that end and I do believe her when she said she had no idea the bottom looked like that. And I couldn't completely complain as she dropped the price to a Jackson and apologized profusely.

 

So on my 300 mile drive back to God's country , I had some time to think about how to attack fixing this problem. I have no sheet metal experience and doubt that a novice, even with great instruction could make that compound roll, much less successfully weld it  and make it look decent (correct me if I am wrong).

 

I was thinking, could I knock the crust off, spray it good with rust neutralizer and then fiberglass over it?  I have done some glass work repairing a boat I called "Stump Broke," for obvious reasons.

 

The trailer won't see heavy use and if I do dump something, the metal plate at the back takes the brunt of the force.  I was just thinking that glassing it could match the contours that are already present and as long as no one goes nuts with a shovel, it would hold up. If this is a relatively good idea, should I affix a thin metal plate on both sides before glassing it?

 

Or is this just a bad idea all around? I will blame it on sleep deprivation and road weariness if it is a bad idea.  I am hoping someone knows a majic product that I have never heard of that is made for this sort of thing.

 

Thanks for any input!

[slammer302 2,155]

Anything you do will be better than doing nothing. I was eyeballing that cart too if it was the one on CL

[Texas Todd 1,025]

In Miami, yes

 

[slammer302 2,155]

I used spray in bed liner on the inside of mine. It helps hide sum of the rust pitting that was inside of it.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

Yes, I will do that most likely, but need to fill the holes so the bed spray doesnt fall on the floor! Hah!

[Ken B 3,164]

If you aren't able to cut it out and weld in a patch then I would suggest using some liquid steel or the like. It comes in a tube in putty form. Follow the directions. Clean the area well top and bottom and push it up thru the bottom. You can work it to shape before it hardens and then sand it to your liking...

[Sarge 3,463]

Might hunt around at some of the local welding shops , most of them can work in new metal to the point you'll never see it and won't have to worry about strength . That rolled edge is a structural part of the tub's design , otherwise it will bend quite easily .

 

Sarge

[DennisThornton 4,769]

Will a length of pipe or metal conduit fit underneath?  It would reinforce & give you something to backup your welds, brazing or soldering.  With the backup even solder would be strong enough.   Metal conduit good be hammered to fit better.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

I actually wondered about a piece of conduit. May try to find a sheet metal shop in the area before a diy attempt. 

Edited June 13, 2017 by Texas Todd

[DennisThornton 4,769]

If you can fit a length of conduit you're a big step there. 

[cschannuth 3,816]

I had pitting and a few holes in one that I picked up. I used the quick set JB weld to patch the holes and and fill in the pits. A little bit went a long way. Then I used spray in bed liner inside and painted the outside. It's been tough as nails.  Sorry I don't have a better pic of the inside. 

 

On June 12, 2017 at 8:59 PM, Texas Todd said:

Yes, I will do that most likely, but need to fill the holes so the bed spray doesnt fall on the floor! Hah!

 

[Texas Todd 1,025]

Thanks. Many options to choose from. Watched some youtube videos on Tiger Hair today......another potential.

[Lee1977 6,643]

I would be looking for a piece of square tubing to go across the back. The radius corners can be repaired they don't have as much damage. Then fill in with a piece of flat metal down to the good metal on the slope.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

Thanks for the tips guys. I will post the repair I decide on, when I have time to get around to it.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

I finally got around to getting back on this project. When I took a wire wheel to it, the swiss cheese opened up a bit more than I was expecting.  

 

I had decided to use bondo-hair, but it talks about holes no bigger than an inch to an inch and a half. A couple were bigger than that, so I used what I had handy and tacked it in for some support.

 

 

The bondo hair sets faster than the 5 minutes it claims...Thank goodness for belt sanders...

 

 

When it was at this stage, I thought there was no way this project would ever make it to Redsquare......

 

 

Used body filler over the top, which also set faster than I expected....and sanded down and primed.

 

 

 

Have a little more file and fill work to do, but its a whole lot better than it was before. The bondo hair is a great product, but it sure sets fast...

I think I am going to do the interior with bed liner (like above)and paint the outside red and wheels white. The tires are dry rotted and replacements are on the way. The grand kids will enjoy riding around in it, I'm sure. I have seen different decals on them.  Which one came on them? I have seen both of these on them.

 

or

 

 

 

 

Edited August 19, 2017 by Texas Todd

[dells68 7,498]

I've got my grandfather's original cart and it has one like the top one on the front of the tub above the tongue.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

12 minutes ago, dells68 said:

I've got my grandfather's original cart and it has one like the top one on the front of the tub above the tongue.

Thanks! That's the one I was leaning toward. 

[dells68 7,498]

I know for sure his is original - never been painted or messed with.  Hope this helps.  Your repair looks great!!!

[rjg854 11,350]

My tub cart has the one like the second picture.  So with it being your cart, go with whichever one suits your fancy.  And enjoy it   Nice repair BTW.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

Well things were moving right along until I took a wire wheel to the 2nd cart wheel. It had more swiss cheese than the back of the trailer! Does anyone know where to find a suitable replacement? Would it just be a 4.00x8 x.75 arbor? Then just add spacers to match the original?

[Lee1977 6,643]

Wheel barrow wheels are much the same just needs a spacer behind.

[Texas Todd 1,025]

As much as I hate to, I bought a harbor freight wheel and some 3/4" spacers.  The wheel is almost an inch narrower and doesnt look like it will hold a tubeless tire. I will probably have to put the tube back in. Should know this afternoon. Thanks!

[Texas Todd 1,025]

Well, it appears all has worked out pretty well.  I need to do a little touch up and get some hubcap covers from our good friend @GlenPettit and I think she will be Grand  kid ready.The axle took a 1" spacer and 5- 3/4 washers to make a snug fit. I could have cut down a 2" spacer a shade, but oh-well. She's rolling now!

 

 

 

[CasualObserver 3,408]

Nice job. That looks like a great kid hauler to me! Enjoy!