I’m back with an Esky this time

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HiHoeSilver

Away!
Joined
Feb 28, 2017
Posts
10,918
Reaction score
14,572
Location
Chicago
Just trying to stay active here. Going to be swapping condenser and flushing lines on the Esky here soon. Afternoon guy took a leave of absence so I’ve been stuck working 12hr days and in this heat it’s killing my motivation by the time I get home. But I did do something the other day for my truck. I bought a plow mount off some guy and I didn’t get a bracket that goes inside the frame rail so I decided to make my own.
This is the one that I did get but I needed two.
9511d5d7a1891b1ba7cbcd6a90e558db.jpg

So I decided to use stainless. Didn’t have any 2” wide flat stock, so I settled for 1-1/2” but it’s still 1/4” thick.
6bfab02149b7386c47bcf183ee30fded.jpg

The homemade brake came in handy again.
6853dfe7837f2aeefed4f795718d2b37.jpg
1935055214b25c0b36838880b9b7a6a0.jpg


786fb983ecc4a17c2e4ceaf445e38b82.jpg

4a438d599a9d465be35af8495eb06c4e.jpg


Drilled the 5/8” holes by stepping up slowly. Stainless is a drill bit killer.
439bc1c5be8320b6249e80c49bb26ed1.jpg

73f8ad5af819878c899e9aec61564acf.jpg





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Bit killer is right. I only use cobalt and the real trick is hitring the speed/feed sweet spot. If you see a ribbon cut, you're there. If you get it hot, you're only screwing yourself because you're hardening it. Lol
 
OP
OP
Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,055
Reaction score
2,477
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
Bit killer is right. I only use cobalt and the real trick is hitring the speed/feed sweet spot. If you see a ribbon cut, you're there. If you get it hot, you're only screwing yourself because you're hardening it. Lol

Slow speed, light feed, quality drill and soak it while drilling is the only way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

iamdub

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2016
Posts
20,821
Reaction score
44,944
Location
Li'l Weezyana
Not sure I shared this or not so I’ll throw it out there because it’s pretty neat.

My close friend comes across this little truck cooler at a store in Lake Geneva and inquired about it. What he told me was they said, the truck is hand made from oil and fuel drums left over from Vietnam. They make little fire trucks and beach van with surf boards on top. The proceeds from the sale go to the veterans. This thing was marked $729.00!!!!! He said he thought it was cool but a little too expensive. The guy at the store said, make me an offer. Don told him because of the story and it’s for the vets, he’d give him $500 for it. The store owner hesitated and said he’s not sure if he could do that. So Don told him he’s gonna be in town for a few days and he would check back. Well, long story already getting long, he brought it home, to my garage.
5697b995a42ef605f664d2849428b08a.jpg
a0524455f87ae30fda32eecdc716861d.jpg

e171f9608df64c12c0d85bc0ea4a5e25.jpg
0bfe5d63d3f0f6c4416e0c29d808676b.jpg


Now let me tell you, Don is my closest friend and I’d do anything for him. We’ve been inseparable for a little over 20 years now. He got remarried last year and the person he hired to marry him backed out 2 months before the wedding. I stepped up and went and got ordained as a minister to marry them. Yes, another hat I wear is I’m an ordained minister. I can marry ya and bury ya legally.
So I tell you this because he came to me with this cooler 2 days before the 4th of July last year and his only complaint was, it doesn’t turn. It only rolls straight and he wants it to turn so he can drag it to the fireworks. So yeah, I dropped whatever I was doing and made it happen for him.

Here’s how the axles were attached to the bottom.
089653572571652b7ade3af25eb95be3.jpg

I didn’t want to modify the truck body so I removed the axles and utilized the existing mounting holes and cut some frame rails from 3/4” square tube I had.
8219375ac1e1029dd80646243266af10.jpg


Then I took 1” flat stock that is 1/8” thick and rolled it around a harmonic balancer to get an arch to represent springs.
ba9f335e9af6dce1e89dbd0f94fb14c5.jpg


Next I made the rear axle out of some 3/4” round tube and welded 5/8” nuts to the ends. Then put a center support tube between the frame rails and welded on some 5/16” round stock which helped locate the axle from moving and represented a suspension link setup.
6071b7244fe459531c733d43629c9f6d.jpg

By this time it was the day of the fireworks and I had to get a few supplies to finish off the steering system so I didn’t have much time for photo op but you can see how I made it work.
For the spindles.
d3d20f76dbea6c912420bbd966d810ba.jpg

I ended up welding a 5/8” bolt to the spindle to mount the wheel and then welded tabs to attach tie rods. I made the tie rods adjustable and set toe when I was done.
13001feafbc67f474d1268ea69bcb28f.jpg

The square tube you see running forward is where I attached a removable handle so you can pull it like a wagon and the bolt in the middle of that square tube is the pivot point. The paint wasn’t completely dry when the cooler got loaded into the back of my truck but I got it done for him. And it was a huge hit at the park. Everyone was coming up to it and asking questions.

8cb50bf0a05ce7fc010fb0e68831a866.jpg
8e4a36fdeb2076f050be878c83fa8939.jpg


Even stopped at harbor freight and picked up some 10” wheels. The 8” wasn’t doing it for me.
1a0ba60fd4987a995ab50a12d4118243.jpg

e6391d1cbdd7e23601b65bfc19416ab3.jpg


1fb802b23f1da5058f3f64d1d0e617ad.jpg
b6ed945bd74c3b9e2aa8c083cebdc1c0.jpg

A little fender messaging and trimming was needed.
04411d910f8fe068f1e9aed0d303aeb6.jpg

1083b316bed74fffb7dd10bbad6f1069.jpg

Next upgrade is working lights, under glow lights and a radio built in.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I missed this entire post but glad I saw it. Excellent work on such a unique and interesting piece! You lifted it, fit more appropriately-size wheels and tires, defied suspension physics with a leaf spring/link combo AND you gave it an adjustable steering setup with a proper Ackerman angle, all without altering the original crafter's art. My hat's off to you!
 

09Tahoe4Now

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2018
Posts
97
Reaction score
130
WOW @Snowbound!! I’m exhausted, feeling guilted, amazed...the workmanship, dedication to do things the right way!! You are truly the man!! Box up those energy tabs and skip the information you have your audience and buyers right here lol. I think the greatest part of the post was the family man and best friend that you are!! Kudos!! I remember when I had energy like that and slept for three to four hours/day. I drove everyone around me nuts! Whatever you do, don’t stop moving and take care of your body! Thanks for the pic shares because they definitely complete the stories!
 
OP
OP
Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,055
Reaction score
2,477
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
I think I recall you making this a few years ago. What's the blade made from and what's the weight rating of your press?

Blade is some 5/8” thick plate I had laying around and I put a beveled edge on both sides. Not to a point, the tip of the edge is about 1/4”
Press is a 20 ton. But it only takes about 2 ton to bend 1/4” to 90*.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Tonyrodz

Resident Resident
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Posts
31,614
Reaction score
47,126
Location
Central Jersey
WOW @Snowbound!! I’m exhausted, feeling guilted, amazed...the workmanship, dedication to do things the right way!! You are truly the man!! Box up those energy tabs and skip the information you have your audience and buyers right here lol. I think the greatest part of the post was the family man and best friend that you are!! Kudos!! I remember when I had energy like that and slept for three to four hours/day. I drove everyone around me nuts! Whatever you do, don’t stop moving and take care of your body! Thanks for the pic shares because they definitely complete the stories!
Amazing guy :waytogo::waytogo:
2 thumbs up buddy.
 
OP
OP
Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,055
Reaction score
2,477
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
WOW @Snowbound!! I’m exhausted, feeling guilted, amazed...the workmanship, dedication to do things the right way!! You are truly the man!! Box up those energy tabs and skip the information you have your audience and buyers right here lol. I think the greatest part of the post was the family man and best friend that you are!! Kudos!! I remember when I had energy like that and slept for three to four hours/day. I drove everyone around me nuts! Whatever you do, don’t stop moving and take care of your body! Thanks for the pic shares because they definitely complete the stories!

Thank you for the kind words. That was really nice to hear. I’ll keep going because that’s what I do and I’ll keep posting because I like to share with others that appreciate it and maybe help someone along the way if possible. Thanks @09Tahoe4Now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
OP
OP
Snowbound

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,055
Reaction score
2,477
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
I think I recall you making this a few years ago. What's the blade made from and what's the weight rating of your press?

I’m sure you’ll appreciate this @iamdub. I made a small press with a 12ton jack for up north. There’s been a few times where I needed a press and didn’t have one. So I made this from 6” C-channel and some 1/4” angle iron. Thing works awesome.
7a0ba8cd116c5b9c68ef0318ea891d84.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,350
Posts
1,866,503
Members
96,975
Latest member
sunshinetou22
Top