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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Thanks for posting the pic. That bottle is one size smaller, I asked the welding supply place today and they said that for cutting and rose bud work the cylinders I have are a close match. For brazing and gas welding your set is a closer match as far as lasting about the same time.
I showed them both pictures and said I totally understand why they gave me these size bottles but I need a cart that works. Then I mentioned that if I had to modify a cart to work I'd rather it was a $50 cart and not a $100 cart, plus the HF cart has big pneumatic wheels. He refunded my money and I got the HF cart. I'll put it together tomorrow and figure out how to mod it.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#2 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Quote:
I looked at the HF display cart and it looked fine, nothing stood out as being bad about it, so i bought one and brought it home, opened the top of the box and grabbed the wheels and axle out of the box, not one tight spoke in the bunch, way out of true ect, so i spent 2 hours pulling the tires and truing the rims as best as possible, got to say these are some cheesy rims! The next morning i pull the rest of the cart out of the box, i could not believe what i was looking at, nothing looked square, nothing looked symmetrical, it leaned to one side, i debated on returning it but after spending 2 hours with the rims and tires i said to hell with it i can work with it. almost regret that decision, but after a couple days of work (about 5-6 hours) i got it into a usable state. I had to cut the bottom plate out, square the main frame, reposition one of the front tubes on the main frame and bend the front tubes to be somewhat close to each other. The bottom pan was warped and also oil canned, i was able to get the oil canning out and massage the to 90* bends to get it somewhat flat but it still has a bit of a crown, weld the pan back in and then get all 4 legs so it sits flat on each leg. add a piece of square tubing to support the acct bottle, the re slot the axle mounting holes on one side.. The handle had not one bend close to each other, wouldn't even bolt up without bending it, i ended up removing 1/4" from the center of the handle, then massage all the bends to make it fairly square then weld it back together. Tomorrow I'm going to take another piece of square stock and cut a couple curves into it and put a hole in the center, take a piece of ready rod and make a bolt to screw the bottles tight. Hopefully i can get to that rear bumper pretty soon.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#3 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
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Re: Rat repair.
I like the cart.
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mount Morris,NY
Posts: 788
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Re: Rat repair.
nice torch setup
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Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 965
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Re: Rat repair.
I agree some of HF stuff is junk. you did a good job cleaning it up should last long time.
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sandown, NH
Posts: 2,818
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Re: Rat repair.
Your gas cart rig looks good, similar to what I made yrs a go, but mines for a "B" tank set-up, a bit smaller than yours, but it's all I really need !
Gary
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Gary 72 SWB 4x4 My 72 SWB Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=259859 |
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#7 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 2,011
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Re: Rat repair.
Quote:
HF gizmo = $30 Same thing made in USA = $100 HF gizmo + labor to make it work = $200
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Victor 57 Chevy Wagon - California Dreamin'"Mecum'd" 9/2022 Dallas, TX Crusty Rusty Leaky Squeaky 67 Consigned 4/2019 Dresden, Germany Maybelline - my '57 Ford 2dr Sedan "Mecum'd" 3/2016 Location unknown Silver Streaker "Mecum'd" 4/2013 Somewhere in Texas |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Thanks guys i appreciate the comps! I'll call it a lesson learned though, i could have spent the time working on my bumper.
I worked this weekend so didn't get anything done to the rat, but I slapped this big wing bolt together in about 25 minutes, I think it sticks out too far so I'll mod it some day....or not.. Should paint the chevy orange tubes ether black or red someday too. Did a little garage straightening, re plumbed my air manifold to move both dryers to the down stream end then plumbed it into my hose reel i got for my birthday last year, then a little weed wacking before going to work.. Don't know why but I'm not getting email notifications from all you guys lately, got one was from mcbassin, then from custom/10 in the last 3 days.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Pasadena, Maryland
Posts: 169
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Re: Rat repair.
Just found your thread!
You are an inspiration for me to start my project. Will be following your thread. For your three steps forward and two steps back method it is not in vane. Your R&D on procedure and modification will save me countless hours. |
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Quote:
But that 3 steps forward and 2 steps back is not a preferred method! LOL But i take it in stride when it happens. ![]() EDIT I havn't posted any progress the last few days but i have been working on the rear bumper and mounts, the bumper looked a lot better in the pictures than when i got it so its a bit of work. I'll post more later.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
So here's the bumper i bought off the board from Randy, I paid more to ship it to me than what i paid for the bumper but i liked the look of it so figured it was worth it.
As you can see its got quite a bow in it plus a little bend in the upper plate as well as the same side had a big dent in the face of the bumper (right side where the paint is gone, and the bottom was pretty bent up as well. Saved these old 1/2" plate brackets from my old bumper as re drilling holes is a pita. the soap stone is if course where i had to trim them back. I'll reinforce the plate by adding a triangular piece on the bottom, possibly a couple pieces of 2" angle but not too sure its necessary.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
First order of business is to figure the best way to straighten it without a large press, decided i'd better cut it apart a little first so i removed the upright plate and the license plate mount plate, and the two little tabs in the center section that were pretty much worthless so i cut them off too..
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Then i figured being as both sides had cracked out at the bottom weld the best thing was to grab the plasma cutter and cut the top of both sides where they join the center section, then clamp it to my table and then use the rose bud to heat the area adjacent to the cuts and get them to lay flat.
I used the rose bud to get the face of the one side flat, still have a lot of work to do on the bottom edge tho, gonna need to reshape the radius.. I dug up a piece of 2"X2" 1/4" angle and clamped it to the bumper and now its ready to start stitching back up. That's as far as i got on it before work today.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 644
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Re: Rat repair.
Looks like you got her trued up there now... Odd it was bowed out. Seen that once after a buddy of mine years back tried to pull a stump out. Lol
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Quote:
Its not super heavy duty that's for sure, but with the lift and class 4 hitch under it i don't think it needs to be. Naturally its been raining this morning, hopefully it will stop when i'm ready to start welding, had a 10X10 awning but it got destroyed last fall. When im done stitching and mounting i'll take it off and take it to the media blaster not too far away and get them to blast and prime it for me.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Well this bumper didn't cooperate, every weld wanted to make it move and flex, i even had the sides of the bumper bent a little in the opposite direction of the bend it had but even tacking it all into place once i finished welding it all it warped back in the same direction a bit, bit not as bad as it was.
The upper part had 2 sharp bends in it, I had to support the plate on pieces of scrap and put a clamp in the center at the bend, give it some preload and then heat it with the rose bud, of course i gave it a littler too much preload about 4 different times but i got it pretty close. Guess it will have to do.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
So i know my arm was getting splattered with weld splatter and grinding sparks but i was too focused to go get a long sleeve shirt. LOL! I should know better!
![]() I still have to put this license plate mount plate back on, i figure i'll close the ends in while i'm at it. But today i spend with my wife.. ![]()
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mount Morris,NY
Posts: 788
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Re: Rat repair.
thats one of those big a$$ bumpers like mine
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Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust ![]() |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Tomball, Texas
Posts: 1,592
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Re: Rat repair.
Those welding/grinding sparks are a LOT of fun when they slip under the straps on flip-flops! - I saw someone else do it
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Rick 78 GMC K15 SWB, 350/NV4500/NP205/4.10s Project Hazel 71 GMC C25 350/TH400 - Project Angie 59 Chevy SWB Stepside (next in line? Not sure now ![]() 2001 GMC Sierra K2500 |
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#20 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Quote:
Yea that much i know better, the upright part fell off the table and landed on my foot yesterday, if course the steel toe didn't help as it hit above the toe. Isn't that how it always works? ![]()
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spanaway
Posts: 8,451
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Re: Rat repair.
Well, its nothing like the diving platform that was on the back before, and its not as big and bulky as some of the bumpers i have seen on these trucks.
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Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: San Jose Ca
Posts: 965
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Re: Rat repair.
I did some thing similar today with cutting wheel but it was my gut. Had to stand off to the side as I was to lazy to put on my welding jacket.
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#23 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
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Re: Rat repair.
Nice work on the bumper. Ouch!
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Mount Morris,NY
Posts: 788
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Re: Rat repair.
i love these big bumpers. when someone rearends you you dont feel it
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Dean 1972 Custom Camper c/20 5.3 LS swap in progress. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=610187 in God we Trust ![]() |
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#25 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ladysmith, WI
Posts: 641
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Re: Rat repair.
Looks a lot straighter from here. Gonna rework mine, too. 'Twas rear ended by a kid a few years ago. It bent the mounts, but the bumper came through relatively unscathed. The diamond plate on the top of mine is rotted through in quite a few spot and will need replacing. Yours looks like it should clean up nicely now that you've straightened it out.
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Nick Old Mustard, 1972 Chevy C20, 350, TH350, 4.10 Dana 60 rear, owned since I was 16 in 1986 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=545356 Blue Bell, 1987 K20, 6.2L Diesel, TH400/NP208, 4.10 gears Ustahav 1976 K10, 350/350/203, Gov Loc, Yooper beater trail truck. |
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