I’m back with an Esky this time

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HiHoeSilver

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Just trying to stay active here. Going to be swapping condenser and flushing lines on the Esky here soon. Afternoon guy took a leave of absence so I’ve been stuck working 12hr days and in this heat it’s killing my motivation by the time I get home. But I did do something the other day for my truck. I bought a plow mount off some guy and I didn’t get a bracket that goes inside the frame rail so I decided to make my own.
This is the one that I did get but I needed two.
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So I decided to use stainless. Didn’t have any 2” wide flat stock, so I settled for 1-1/2” but it’s still 1/4” thick.
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The homemade brake came in handy again.
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Drilled the 5/8” holes by stepping up slowly. Stainless is a drill bit killer.
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Bit killer is right. I only use cobalt and the real trick is hitring the speed/feed sweet spot. If you see a ribbon cut, you're there. If you get it hot, you're only screwing yourself because you're hardening it. Lol
 
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Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
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Bit killer is right. I only use cobalt and the real trick is hitring the speed/feed sweet spot. If you see a ribbon cut, you're there. If you get it hot, you're only screwing yourself because you're hardening it. Lol

Slow speed, light feed, quality drill and soak it while drilling is the only way.


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iamdub

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Not sure I shared this or not so I’ll throw it out there because it’s pretty neat.

My close friend comes across this little truck cooler at a store in Lake Geneva and inquired about it. What he told me was they said, the truck is hand made from oil and fuel drums left over from Vietnam. They make little fire trucks and beach van with surf boards on top. The proceeds from the sale go to the veterans. This thing was marked $729.00!!!!! He said he thought it was cool but a little too expensive. The guy at the store said, make me an offer. Don told him because of the story and it’s for the vets, he’d give him $500 for it. The store owner hesitated and said he’s not sure if he could do that. So Don told him he’s gonna be in town for a few days and he would check back. Well, long story already getting long, he brought it home, to my garage.
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Now let me tell you, Don is my closest friend and I’d do anything for him. We’ve been inseparable for a little over 20 years now. He got remarried last year and the person he hired to marry him backed out 2 months before the wedding. I stepped up and went and got ordained as a minister to marry them. Yes, another hat I wear is I’m an ordained minister. I can marry ya and bury ya legally.
So I tell you this because he came to me with this cooler 2 days before the 4th of July last year and his only complaint was, it doesn’t turn. It only rolls straight and he wants it to turn so he can drag it to the fireworks. So yeah, I dropped whatever I was doing and made it happen for him.

Here’s how the axles were attached to the bottom.
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I didn’t want to modify the truck body so I removed the axles and utilized the existing mounting holes and cut some frame rails from 3/4” square tube I had.
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Then I took 1” flat stock that is 1/8” thick and rolled it around a harmonic balancer to get an arch to represent springs.
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Next I made the rear axle out of some 3/4” round tube and welded 5/8” nuts to the ends. Then put a center support tube between the frame rails and welded on some 5/16” round stock which helped locate the axle from moving and represented a suspension link setup.
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By this time it was the day of the fireworks and I had to get a few supplies to finish off the steering system so I didn’t have much time for photo op but you can see how I made it work.
For the spindles.
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I ended up welding a 5/8” bolt to the spindle to mount the wheel and then welded tabs to attach tie rods. I made the tie rods adjustable and set toe when I was done.
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The square tube you see running forward is where I attached a removable handle so you can pull it like a wagon and the bolt in the middle of that square tube is the pivot point. The paint wasn’t completely dry when the cooler got loaded into the back of my truck but I got it done for him. And it was a huge hit at the park. Everyone was coming up to it and asking questions.

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Even stopped at harbor freight and picked up some 10” wheels. The 8” wasn’t doing it for me.
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A little fender messaging and trimming was needed.
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Next upgrade is working lights, under glow lights and a radio built in.

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I missed this entire post but glad I saw it. Excellent work on such a unique and interesting piece! You lifted it, fit more appropriately-size wheels and tires, defied suspension physics with a leaf spring/link combo AND you gave it an adjustable steering setup with a proper Ackerman angle, all without altering the original crafter's art. My hat's off to you!
 

09Tahoe4Now

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WOW @Snowbound!! I’m exhausted, feeling guilted, amazed...the workmanship, dedication to do things the right way!! You are truly the man!! Box up those energy tabs and skip the information you have your audience and buyers right here lol. I think the greatest part of the post was the family man and best friend that you are!! Kudos!! I remember when I had energy like that and slept for three to four hours/day. I drove everyone around me nuts! Whatever you do, don’t stop moving and take care of your body! Thanks for the pic shares because they definitely complete the stories!
 
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Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
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I think I recall you making this a few years ago. What's the blade made from and what's the weight rating of your press?

Blade is some 5/8” thick plate I had laying around and I put a beveled edge on both sides. Not to a point, the tip of the edge is about 1/4”
Press is a 20 ton. But it only takes about 2 ton to bend 1/4” to 90*.


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Tonyrodz

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WOW @Snowbound!! I’m exhausted, feeling guilted, amazed...the workmanship, dedication to do things the right way!! You are truly the man!! Box up those energy tabs and skip the information you have your audience and buyers right here lol. I think the greatest part of the post was the family man and best friend that you are!! Kudos!! I remember when I had energy like that and slept for three to four hours/day. I drove everyone around me nuts! Whatever you do, don’t stop moving and take care of your body! Thanks for the pic shares because they definitely complete the stories!
Amazing guy :waytogo::waytogo:
2 thumbs up buddy.
 
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Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
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WOW @Snowbound!! I’m exhausted, feeling guilted, amazed...the workmanship, dedication to do things the right way!! You are truly the man!! Box up those energy tabs and skip the information you have your audience and buyers right here lol. I think the greatest part of the post was the family man and best friend that you are!! Kudos!! I remember when I had energy like that and slept for three to four hours/day. I drove everyone around me nuts! Whatever you do, don’t stop moving and take care of your body! Thanks for the pic shares because they definitely complete the stories!

Thank you for the kind words. That was really nice to hear. I’ll keep going because that’s what I do and I’ll keep posting because I like to share with others that appreciate it and maybe help someone along the way if possible. Thanks @09Tahoe4Now


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Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
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I think I recall you making this a few years ago. What's the blade made from and what's the weight rating of your press?

I’m sure you’ll appreciate this @iamdub. I made a small press with a 12ton jack for up north. There’s been a few times where I needed a press and didn’t have one. So I made this from 6” C-channel and some 1/4” angle iron. Thing works awesome.
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