I should be around sat.

 

Howdy all. Dave, glad you're making progress and if I read right you'll get to meet up with Rich next weekend. RC, you'll be your spry self again soon.

 

Unless it's a gully washing downpour, I'll be there then. Just let me when it'll be a good time and PM me directions.

 

Just as I'm beginning to see the finish line, the bearings on my die grinder are dying. It's only about 18-20 years old and was a low end unit to begin with so I guess I shouldn't really be surprised.

 

Shaggy at work has a Harbor Fright one in his home shop he's abused for years and it still works great.

 

Yeah, that's probably where the next one will come from.

Lifted the smoke chamber off the frame so I could box off the open square tubing ends and started in on the firebox support...



I've got to slow down a little because I'm on my last roll of flux core wire. It's Harbor Freight brand and doesn't weld too bad once you figure out which settings it likes. I've got a 10 lb. roll of wire ordered which should be here next week some time. I found it for the same price as 2 - 2 lb. rolls locally.

 

The older ones are better. I have a harbor freight one that is close to 20 years old.

 

I tried my first weld today. Just practicing. I need to study up on it more.
How much should you be able to see when welding? I couldn't see my seam to make sure I was in the right spot. I was just butting up two flat pieces.
Edit: After a little googling, I need to mess with my auto darkening settings and maybe have more lite on my work. Still open for tips.
We also had a guy in the 48-56 forum that had a thread on welding:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-practice.html
I need to study that more....

Oh, by the way. I got my 6V tach wired up today. Need to mount it next and test drive.
It's the little things for me. I had to wait about 2 months after ordering to get this tach. Problems with staying 6 volt.

 

Evening All!

Well, I got the rear springs modified the way I want to and they're mounted on the spring perches. Now all I have to do is cut the old spring hangers out of the truck and make the new ones. I hope to have the drop box here in the beginning of the week. Next weekend I have to go back up to St. Louis and help Mark with his trailer again. There's a lot going on and not much time to get it all done in.

 

It somewhat depends on what type of welding you're doing. I'm pretty comfortable running the setting between 10 - 11 on my Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet. The more amps you're pushing, the darker the lens needs to be. Here's a chart from Miller Welding that is a pretty good guide...


Morning guys. Time to head back to work...

 

Morning too folks and off to work.

 

Morning youins!

 

Evening All!

Dave. I can't wait to see the smoker done.It looks like it's coming together nicely.

I cut the hind legs off of Earthquake today. Getting ready for new suspension. I hope to have the majority of it done tomorrow. I don't like leaving the truck on jack stands. I was right. With the new axles and rear suspension, it got about 4" taller.

 

I can't wait either, but have to work around everything else going on & the weather.

If EQ gets any higher, you're going to need blinking warning lights for low flying aircraft.

 

sounds like you are moving right along alan.. i wish i was able to get up there and check it out.... have i told anyone that i am BORED to death...... but i think i am improving everyday