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1

Farmall Cub / Cub trencher

« on: March 11, 2015, 03:16:19 AM »

Vermeer actually made trenchers using Cub Cadets as well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNXHse_1JhY  There were a few companies that made trenchers to fit the Cub Cadets. Some used rather unique drives with the trencher powered by a hydraulic pump from the engine but the tractor itself was moved using the rear pto on the tractor to drive the tractors wheels from the trencher!

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Tools, Trades and Engineering / Portable welding/grinding table.

« on: March 11, 2015, 03:06:15 AM »

I do a lot of small fab jobs and such and never seem to have a flat stable area to do the welding on. A couple years ago I picked up a Strong Hand Nomad portable welding table. It is a great table and fold up so I don't end up with the temptation of a flat clear area...  I decided that it was so handy I needed another one BUT I also wanted to cut costs. So I went to Harbor Freight and looked at the portable table they have. Looked it over and decided that I'd take a chance, looked pretty solid and close to the Nomad...   Got it home and decided to see just how close it was. The verdict, they are made in the same plant using the same main prints!
 
The differences...
The Nomad unit has adjustable height Vs. The HF has a fixed height (which matches the nomads top position)
The Nomad has three bolts securing the rocker assembly for the table while the HF has 2 (matches the outer two on the nomad exactly)
The nomad comes with 2 bolt on casters and a handle which are not on the HF unit (but could easily be added for under 20 bucks)
The price!!!!! The Nomad runs about 150-175 dollars + shipping. The HF unit is 59-99 dollars depending on sale/coupons.

That's it!   The tilt angles are the same, the top is exactly the same top, same weight rating and the fasteners are even the same for both.

I did drill the third hole for the tilt and on both of them I changed to bolts for the top from the cheap tiny ones they came with. I also have the same gripe on both, they are not really flat tops. They run 1/8" or so out of flat, But if you take a few pieces of angle that is straight you can tweak the table and make it flat.

Is it a top notch welding table? Not in terms of being super flat. Is it a handy solid table that does the job? Yes.

3

Tools, Trades and Engineering / Tractor support frame

« on: March 11, 2015, 02:34:43 AM »

Looks like he used the online plans for a rotisserie and modified the uprights. Not hard to make as long as you can afford the steel. I'd use 4" square tube, 3/8" wall for the end supports. Heavier casters, or if you don't plan on moving it around while you work on it, use some that can be retracted up and set the support frame on the floor.

4

Tools, Trades and Engineering / Shop heat / corn stoves??

« on: March 09, 2015, 01:58:35 PM »

If you can't build out, build up...   :-)

I stuck mine overhead to get it out of the way. Added the cold air returns and a duct along the ceiling just to distribute the heat better. I like the propane because it's easy to work with and cleaner to deal with than other fuels. Plus, if you live near an outfit that repairs/strips mobile homes you can usually get them for a lot less than other heat sources. My next shop will also have AC ducted in. I HATE walking around a shop with cold/warm spots, the radiant is good for that but it wasn't cheap!

5

Tools, Trades and Engineering / Shop heat / corn stoves??

« on: March 08, 2015, 03:19:03 PM »

Well with all the zombi shows being popular I think resurrecting this thread is OK...

I heated my shop with a propane furnace from a trailer. I mounted it up in the "attic" area and added a cold air return system by simply covering the front panel and adding a pair of 8" ducts that go into the corners and down to about a foot off the floor. Works great for a 30X40 shop that is fully insulated. The small shop has a stand alone propane "fireplace" unit made in the 70's (I think) Works well enough but has a hard time when it's real cold because the "doors" are simple plywood panels.

The radiant heat in the new shop is great BUT if I had thought it out better I would make a few changes to the drainage system. Namely I would have added slit drains around the "parking" areas and I would have added a small circuit in the front apron area and increased the diameter of the outer perimeter circuit. Extra drains because the town now uses a calcium additive with the salt and it creates a BIG mess. The extra drainage might have made that easier. The heated apron would have helped with icing. I did add a couple ceiling fans to help circulate the heat better. Those made a big difference. Then I up an let a couple relatives use it.....  Someday I'll learn...

Have a neighbor who opened a garage for general repair and he wasn't getting enough waste oil to keep the big unit filled. He put it up for sale and has installed a smaller unit and a fuel oil tank as reserve. I take all my used oil to him but that's only a few gallons a month.
I know a few guys who are running pellet stoves and furnaces. They seem to work well as long as you do your part in cleaning the ash out and adjusting the unit to match the pellets you have. The units were expensive but they do give off a nice heat.
Not many use corn/coal in this area, hard to find fuel unless you pay a premium for the bagged stuff.