CarnivoreMan
Registered Member
Hey all! A while back I began a thread asking about Search & Rescue equipment. One of the topics of conversation was how to mount a fullsize shovel and Axe.
Well after reading some suggestions and after far too much over-complicating the situation, I have managed to get my shovel and axe mounted sufficiently I believe. We'll find out for sure I guess when I head out on the trail.
Anyway, I figured I'd share some pictures incase anyone is interested.
I found some Aluminium channel and plate down in the barn.. chopped it to about 10". Found some plastic conduit pipe layin around.. cut that to 2 2 pieces about 9" each or so. Then I pulled out my end grinder and cut the pipes in half lengthwise. The aluminium plate will be bolted down to the top of the back wheel well so I needed the base of it to be flat. So, on that piece I countersunk the holes for the screws I'm using to hold the pipe halves on. To fasten the screws to the pipe, I used some little threaded thingies with three little teethies poking out which are intended to sink into and grab wood.. not meant for plastic at all.. buuuut, I used the torch to heat'm up so the little spikes/teeth things would melt into the plastic for a grip.Then I tightened them down tight and ground off the excess screw hangin through so it'd be flush and not interfier with the handle of my shovel or axe. Same on the piece of channel minus the countersinking.
I used the 3M Spray Adhesive shown here on both the pipe halves and 3/8"(I think.. somewhere around that thickness) foam strips I have sittin there. I then pressed the pieces of foam into the pipe halves. I put the handles of some wieney roaster sticks in place and then a weight ontop of those to keep the foam pressed hard & evenly against the pipe so it would have a chance to dry good.. kinda.. I got impatient after a while though... anyway..
These are the mountin holes. The outer 2 hold the Aluminium plate down. The center is the stud for torquing down the top halve(the aluminium channel)
Bottom half bolted on with the center stud in place.. so pretty much ready to try it out at this point.
Shovel and Axe in place.
Better view.
now the head of the shovel is about a quarter inch from the inner fender wall. I was planning to have it like this and will be putting some of the foam on the wall there to snug up the fit and keep the head from bangin around.
If things flex around too much with bumps I may add a head support for the axe..
Both tools wobble a little, but they seem like the'll work well. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
It was nice to have something turn out moderatly well for once.. =)
Well after reading some suggestions and after far too much over-complicating the situation, I have managed to get my shovel and axe mounted sufficiently I believe. We'll find out for sure I guess when I head out on the trail.
Anyway, I figured I'd share some pictures incase anyone is interested.
I found some Aluminium channel and plate down in the barn.. chopped it to about 10". Found some plastic conduit pipe layin around.. cut that to 2 2 pieces about 9" each or so. Then I pulled out my end grinder and cut the pipes in half lengthwise. The aluminium plate will be bolted down to the top of the back wheel well so I needed the base of it to be flat. So, on that piece I countersunk the holes for the screws I'm using to hold the pipe halves on. To fasten the screws to the pipe, I used some little threaded thingies with three little teethies poking out which are intended to sink into and grab wood.. not meant for plastic at all.. buuuut, I used the torch to heat'm up so the little spikes/teeth things would melt into the plastic for a grip.Then I tightened them down tight and ground off the excess screw hangin through so it'd be flush and not interfier with the handle of my shovel or axe. Same on the piece of channel minus the countersinking.
I used the 3M Spray Adhesive shown here on both the pipe halves and 3/8"(I think.. somewhere around that thickness) foam strips I have sittin there. I then pressed the pieces of foam into the pipe halves. I put the handles of some wieney roaster sticks in place and then a weight ontop of those to keep the foam pressed hard & evenly against the pipe so it would have a chance to dry good.. kinda.. I got impatient after a while though... anyway..
These are the mountin holes. The outer 2 hold the Aluminium plate down. The center is the stud for torquing down the top halve(the aluminium channel)
Bottom half bolted on with the center stud in place.. so pretty much ready to try it out at this point.
Shovel and Axe in place.
Better view.
now the head of the shovel is about a quarter inch from the inner fender wall. I was planning to have it like this and will be putting some of the foam on the wall there to snug up the fit and keep the head from bangin around.
If things flex around too much with bumps I may add a head support for the axe..
Both tools wobble a little, but they seem like the'll work well. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.
It was nice to have something turn out moderatly well for once.. =)
