What I did this afternoon - generator running gear

[duaneb55]

The day started off kinda slow and then I went out to take a stab at cleaning my shop. I've been telling my neighbor I'd fix up the wheels he tried to put on the 6.3K Winco/Kohler generator that someone gave him a couple years ago - that I got running for him back then - and told him yesterday "let's do it this weekend". So this afternoon he came over and we got it done.

I forgot to take a before shot so you'll have to use your imagination but the two 1/2" axle rods he used with the old lawn mower wheels were wired onto the generator frame and as you can guess, the axles didn't like to stay put when trying to pull it across the yard to the house hook-up point.

There are 9 photos so the first 5 will be on this post and the other 4 immediately after. I apologize for the 2 close-up shots as I didn't realize the camera was focused in on the trailer frame (yes, my trailer project) below it. Photos are:

1) Bare frame with 1x1x3/16 angle clips for axle mounts
2) Generator/motor removed from frame
3) Frame with axle mounts installed
4) Out of focus close-up 1
5) Out of focus close-up 2

MM200
Voltage: High/2
Wire speed: 30
Wire: .030
C25: 20

[duaneb55]

Post #2

Next project is to build him a better handle to tug it around with. That's what the chain and 'handle' is he has wrapped around the frame.

1) Generator shot 1
2) Generator shot 2
3) Generator shot 3
4) Original pile of wire that 'held' axles to generator frame

[Sandy]

he sure should be happy with that. And the genset should be happy too. I can see where if it's all smooth rolling it would be nice to have a higher handle. The low ones are great for a tug and nudge but tough on the old back if you have far to go.

[farmersamm]

Out of focus #4 and #5.... Hell, that's how I see when I'm trying to use the wire welder these days. The arc is so dim that I can't see what's goin' on with the bead.:(

Thought about going down to a #8 shade, but I'm not keen on ruining what eyesight I have left.

Saw the HF cherry picker. Oh please don't say it's so. You've gone over to the other side:D:D:drinkup:

[duaneb55]

Out of focus #4 and #5.... Hell, that's how I see when I'm trying to use the wire welder these days. The arc is so dim that I can't see what's goin' on with the bead.:(

Thought about going down to a #8 shade, but I'm not keen on ruining what eyesight I have left.

Saw the HF cherry picker. Oh please don't say it's so. You've gone over to the other side:D:D:drinkup:

I hear ya on the out of focus. Thinking very seriously about getting a cheater lens for the hood because my glasses get 'rained' on inside the hood and then I really can't see. I've used a #8 lens for years in a 'head bobber' and turn my auto down to the lowest setting of 9 on a regular basis. It's just always been that way for me.

As for the picker yes, I'm afraid it is and I suppose I shouldn't tell you my 20T press is as well.:o Both were a case of needing them at the time and they were readily available. I had every intention of building my own press but it was a time issue and I didn't (still don't) have all the materials to do so. Hope this doesn't put me too far down on your character scale.:(

[duaneb55]

he sure should be happy with that. And the genset should be happy too. I can see where if it's all smooth rolling it would be nice to have a higher handle. The low ones are great for a tug and nudge but tough on the old back if you have far to go.

He seemed pretty happy and it rolls real nice - now.

I've got a swivel type T handle planned where I'll cut the top cross bar off and slide an appropriate ID pipe over it and weld the cross bar back on then weld a 12-14" T-bar on the pipe so it can swing down out of the way and 'float' while pulling it around. That'll put it about where his chain and handle is right now. The alternator end is the lightest so I'll put the handle on that end to make it easier for him (he's in his late 70's) to maneuver.

[farmersamm]

Just ribin' ya.:D I have the clone in the shop. I had to have a cherry picker to mount the milling machine. It was there, I needed it, and I had to buy it.

I was able to buy a domestic hyd. press. It's an Arcan. But the 20t jack is foriegn made. I have never seen a foriegn jack that doesn't start kicking back on you when you push it to the limit. The handle starts going up on its own. They don't seem to be able to make a reliable overload valve. After the overload, the jack's history.

High handle, low handle, or harness and a yoke?.:D:D:drinkup:

[farmersamm]

You answered my question before I posted it:laugh:

Slow fingers Slow mind :D

[Tractapac]

He seemed pretty happy and it rolls real nice - now.

I've got a swivel type T handle planned where I'll cut the top cross bar off and slide an appropriate ID pipe over it and weld the cross bar back on then weld a 12-14" T-bar on the pipe so it can swing down out of the way and 'float' while pulling it around. That'll put it about where his chain and handle is right now. The alternator end is the lightest so I'll put the handle on that end to make it easier for him (he's in his late 70's) to maneuver.

It looks like it's got about the 60/40 split, so it should tow well with your handle! Handles dropping out of the way are always a good idea. As long as they don't drop and wait for your knee to connect with them.

[Tractapac]

I hear ya on the out of focus. Thinking very seriously about getting a cheater lens for the hood because my glasses get 'rained' on inside the hood and then I really can't see. I've used a #8 lens for years in a 'head bobber' and turn my auto down to the lowest setting of 9 on a regular basis. It's just always been that way for me.
:(

Every now and then I do a weld without specs and get away with it and then realise and do the next ones with glasses on and there's always an improvement - in appearance at least. Haven't seen the cheaters for hoods here, I'll have to check them out. I did see recently some safety glasses with a bifocal reading type lens at the bottom of them. I thought they might be a good chance.

I used to work with a welder who'd become a fitter welder after coming back from WW2 and he'd arc weld without a hood if he was in a hurry. He'd also beat the flux off an arc rod to use it with gas, still without goggles, same for cutting. He was tough! You could see his eyes weren't great, a faded light blue and in those days, hearing protection and safety specs were for "girls". Men were men....

[Oldtimer]

Not only was he tough, he was dumb. Those infra-red rays will get you every time. Takes years and does't hurt but it's happening. I used to work with a guy like that and we car pooled on a 90 mile round trip. His driving, especially at night, would scare the hell out of you because he was half blind.

[duaneb55]

Well, two hurricanes and several other interruptions later I was able to finish up my neighbors' generator project by putting the swivel 'T' handle on today - after fixing his protable air compressor, splicing his air hose and fixing his saws-all. Again, I'll be posting more photos than casn fit in one post so there'll be five in this one and five more in a second.

1) Owners original handle
2) Drilling out 'swivel' tube to 7/8" to fit over crosstube
3) Crosstube, swivel tube and stop clips
4) Swivel tube and handle beam fit-up
5) 'T' handle assembly ready for welding

Five more in the next post.

[duaneb55]

Post #2

1) Swivel tube weld-up
2) 'T' handle weld-up
3) Stop clip weld-up
4) New swivel handle in low position
5) New swivel handle in upper position.

Generator pulls - and pushes - quite nicely. 'T' is wide enough on each side to install handle grips should he want to add them. I'll leave any painting up to him.

[Sandy]

Hey, he should be like a kid with a new red wagon now. About a 225% improvement over what he had. :)

[stevinator]

Nice fix I bet he likes it now.

[duaneb55]

Thanks guys. He wasn't home yesterday when I put it back in his shop - along with his repaired air compressor and air hose. Told me today he was more than happy with it and liked how easy it is to move around now. It was a project that I really had fun doing.:)

[farmersamm]

MAN, HOW DID YOU DO THAT?? Every time I've tried to enlarge a hole with a 2 flute bit it winds up grabbin' on me, and stuff goes flyin'.

That's a great job. I hope you get borrowin' rights.

[farmersamm]

Something that close to the desired dia. and only the shoulder of the bit cuts. Not like following a pilot hole. Maybe I'm running too slow when I try it.

I do allright when I'm following a hole that's not much bigger than the dead center of the bit. Otherwise it's grabby as hell.

Used to be able to buy 4 flute bits to enlarge holes. Don't seem to be available anymore.

[duaneb55]

Slooooooow and easy. Sharp drill helped but it still grabbed a time or two. Piece is 4" long so I went half way from both directions. It went well but wasn't without its challenges to say the least.:dizzy:

Got two electron pushers of my own and building a third so I shouldn't have to borrow his but could if I needed to.:)

[farmersamm]

Your setup must have been darn near perfect. Great job. I would have been mumblin' obsenities, and huntin' for a reamer.:laugh:

[Tractapac]

Nice one, handle drops down out of the way nicely but is still easily retrieved when it's time to roll again.

Good call on the painting too.

[MoonRise]

What, no bearings or at least oil-lite bushings? :laugh:

Clean, neat, functional. :drinkup: