All the credit for the good aspects of this project go to MadReferree. I made some modifications due to some limited materials supplies so if my modifications suck it is all my fault. This is my first full welding project so I learned a lot and will share some of the mistakes I made.
There are four pictures. One picture has some letters that indicate what I'm talking about below:
A. In MadReferree's plans these bolts should have gone on the underside. Ooops number 1 - forgot that step. I think they will work OK.
Welding around round things is harder than a straight line. I think good welding has a lot to do with being in a comfortable position.
I think I stacked up too much weld on these and got the nuts too hot (or at least one of the nuts). I had to re-tap it to get the bolt through it. Either that or it was just a bad nut. I don't remember testing them before welding them so that is a good thing to remember for future projects.
B. Oooops number 2, I also forgot to weld the pipes for the loader lip on until after I had the top section in place. Getting the tip of the welder into a small area and getting a good weld is also hard to do. Time will tell if I pulled it off.
C. MadRef's plans used some square tube stock in the center of this area but I just cut down some 3/8 flat bar and made and "H" type center section and then welded two more 3/8 sections on the outsides. Hopefully, this will be good enough. I'm not planning on lifting anything too heavy with these. Famous last words.
I spent around $100 in supplies and had enough metal to make four forks but I decided to only make three and save the extra metal in case I wanted to do roll stops later. Of course, if you include the new Millermatic 175 welder in the cost then it cost a little more but I think I'll use the welder for other projects.
I plan on using the three forks for moving brush piles from the 55 Douglas firs that I have to dispose of. I think three across the front of the loader will work fine.
Yes, I waited until everything was painted up so I could mask some of my uglier welds (or at least try to). I am in no way a good welder - yet.
There are four pictures. One picture has some letters that indicate what I'm talking about below:
A. In MadReferree's plans these bolts should have gone on the underside. Ooops number 1 - forgot that step. I think they will work OK.
Welding around round things is harder than a straight line. I think good welding has a lot to do with being in a comfortable position.
I think I stacked up too much weld on these and got the nuts too hot (or at least one of the nuts). I had to re-tap it to get the bolt through it. Either that or it was just a bad nut. I don't remember testing them before welding them so that is a good thing to remember for future projects.
B. Oooops number 2, I also forgot to weld the pipes for the loader lip on until after I had the top section in place. Getting the tip of the welder into a small area and getting a good weld is also hard to do. Time will tell if I pulled it off.
C. MadRef's plans used some square tube stock in the center of this area but I just cut down some 3/8 flat bar and made and "H" type center section and then welded two more 3/8 sections on the outsides. Hopefully, this will be good enough. I'm not planning on lifting anything too heavy with these. Famous last words.
I spent around $100 in supplies and had enough metal to make four forks but I decided to only make three and save the extra metal in case I wanted to do roll stops later. Of course, if you include the new Millermatic 175 welder in the cost then it cost a little more but I think I'll use the welder for other projects.
I plan on using the three forks for moving brush piles from the 55 Douglas firs that I have to dispose of. I think three across the front of the loader will work fine.
Yes, I waited until everything was painted up so I could mask some of my uglier welds (or at least try to). I am in no way a good welder - yet.