** WAR's "Black Tank" Tumbler Build **

[WAR Machine]

*** Update... ***

Hi all, okay so this past weekend I sat and measured the bottom section of the frame and I have just ordered the steel needed...

Next on the cards I am looking for someone that can assist with the round tube sections to get the planning done on that...
And I have also had a chat to the guys again to get some of the CNC cutting started soon, and that all seems to be on track as discussed.

I will be going to view 2 rear axles this week again so hoping something can come from that...

[lilboatsman]

It always feels good to get some of the big parts. Are you going with a Ford 9"? Or something beefier?

[super0begins]

If you need to borrow a plasma cutter. I have a new and good one.

[WAR Machine]

It always feels good to get some of the big parts. Are you going with a Ford 9"? Or something beefier?

Hey lilboatsman, Im going to view some more rear axles later this week again.
The ones I saw didnt look like they would do the job...

If you need to borrow a plasma cutter. I have a new and good one.

Thanks super0begins. Only problem is im in South Africa...
But I did go and buy one yesterday... Will update pics later...

[WAR Machine]

** Update **

Steel arrived earlier today...

And then I also went and got some base plates and corners to make 6 adjustable jack stands using threaded rod and pipe...

So the plan is to get the jack stands done first so that once I start with the frame I can adjust it accordingly to make sure its level.

[lilboatsman]

Very cool. Now that you've got the steel, you have to get moving before the rust takes over. It's good motivation.

[WAR Machine]

** UPDATE **

So this week I managed to get the new jack stands 80% done...

Started with the base plates (200mm) and drew center lines, Cut the uprights from 38mm pipe (3,5mm thick) and cleaned them up, and cleaned the edges of the supports too...

Got some M20 threaded rod and nuts. Cut the rods (250mm x4 units and 300mm x2 units)
Then placed the nuts and smoothed the bottom nuts down so they can fit into the pipes.

Welded the bottom nut and top nut in place...

So in the pics you can see there were holes drilled in the pipe. The idea was to originally weld the bottom nut in place as a guide so that the threaded rod can move between the two nut. So I did the first one and welded it all up but then stuffed it up and locked the thread in place...

So that is why I had to cut the threaded rod shorter. Originally I was going to build 6 units of 330mm thread (4 units for the frame and 2 units for the rear end) but after I messed up the first one, I managed to cut the rest into shorter pieces so that I can still get 6 units out...

[WAR Machine]

SO...
After my slight mess up, I took the rest of the units, cleaned them all up with the grinder and got them ready for test run number 2...

Did the rods again for all 6 new units and just tack welded them in place (just the top nut this time...) So the bottom and top nuts were welded into place to lock.

mounted the top base places onto the top nut...

Here you can see the difference between fully dropped and fully extended...
Fully compressed is 28cm and fully extended is 48cm... So 20cm travel to adjust is plenty...

And then got the other units done...

Now I need to weld them up, clean up the welds, and paint them... Then they are ready for the frame...

[lilboatsman]

Very cool project. I look forward to pics of the finished stands.

[WAR Machine]

Very cool project. I look forward to pics of the finished stands.

Thanks man. Might be a bit of an overkill and could have used some basic stands but I think it will be a nice addition to use...

Did not have time to finish them off this weekend as we had Mothers day yesterday and a school project to do.