Lots of progress over the last couple weeks. The subframe/X-Brace for stiffening up the middle section of the frame is fabbed up and tacked in place. Later this week … like maybe tomorrow … I’ll put in a good weld session to start burning it all in.
It all started with getting a new compressor from harbor freight and setting up a dual tank system. It actually works very well. 200PSI in the new tank, 120PSI in the old/2nd tank with about 115psi coming out to the tools through an air regulator/filter/water separator. With this setup, I can use the die grinder, air hammer, you name it for several minutes before the compressor kicks on. On the tube bender, I can bend up to 30* on a 1.5” tube before the compressor kicks on.
I also picked up this slick portaband from Milwaukee and the matching table from SWAG. The foot pedal is super handy and I have been amazed at the accuracy of this band saw. It’s now my go to for tube notching. Low stress, no spark, near-perfect precision. Worth the money already.
Now for the subframe. The inner “RCO” frame plates supporting the trans member were laser cut by
@stan1688 and then I cut the fish mouths using a 1.5” hole saw and the portaband. 1.5” x 1.20 DOM comes off the bottom of the back end of the RCO plates through a 30* bend to the newly built rear-main-eye crossmember, continuing on and finishing through a 30* bend to the top of a set of smaller frame plates I cut out by hand with the portaband, tacked in place just over the centerline of the rear axle. Fish-mouthed plate ends all around to reduce stress risers.
Once all of this is burned in, I’ve got a couple more sets of frame plates in mind for the front, then it will be time to burn in the Deuling Design overlay frame plates front and rear that I have waiting on the bench.
Lots and lots of welding ahead in this hot Florida summer.
Andy
