A Tumbleweeds View of Scrapping - Page 6

Birch plywood is better than the wood I built my kitchen cabinets with. And that is a work bench?

The zero turn mowers are no longer scrap. Rebuilding them was part of this winters project list. They are just being stored there for now. I am guessing I have about $ 500 into the two of them and they could sell for a lot more each. The best guess is that five scrap mowers were used to make two working models.

Your welding table sounds awesome. My welding table is made out of 1/4 in. plate and 2 x 2 angle iron, all scrap that I built. I just got the top off a scissor lift platform jack, 3/8 in. thick that will be another welding table. I may borrow your idea of an outside welding table, since I already have an outside work bench. I cannot take credit for the concrete work station, it was stolen from others in the area. And yes a human does not have the strength to budge it when torqueing on pieces. I have even used the skid steer bucket to push down on the pipe wrench on one occasion. The piece was so rusted the steel snapped before it hurt the barrel or bucket.

P76- Nice set up but I wonder how much of a radius that old stove throws out for heat knowing SD winds and the sheet metal walls and roof. Then again, you're probably in insulated coveralls and felt lined boots most of the time in the winter so just being able to go over once an while and warm the bones probably does the trick.

Sort of like fleshing a coon hide when its zero in my garage. I wear of jeans w/ longies underneath or I have a greasy pair of felt lined jeans. A t-shirt, a heavy mock flannel shirt, and then my greasy hooded zipped sweatshirt (which will be tossed this spring--greasy beyond the point of return). Stocking hat and pack boots. I only wear a pair of vinyl exam gloves but the handles of my fleshing blade are plastic so that makes it better and when the fingers get too cold, I bend down and warm them against my small space heater. The hardest part of fleshing when its that cold is that the hide will start to re-freeze and "pucker" up. When this happens, its a lot easier to cut into the leather, damaging the hide and probably bringing the value down. I'm not a fast skinner or flesher but hopefully the quality of handling the fur makes up for it. To the guys that have both speed and finesse in fur handling, now they are a talent!

Kzscrapper, it was a pleasure to meet you and share perspectives. As you know I am on another wild road trip and have been away from the computer. You have carved out a unique business that provides flexibility, freedom, and a living in a metropolitan area. That is something I could not do. Good luck to you and may our paths cross again.

On this trip I have met two members of the forum and hope to meet up with another tomorrow. The timing did not work out for one on this trip and we hope to meet up in the future. I have been fortunate to meet six members of the forum, each with their own unique business and perspective. Scheduling problems prevented meeting up with two more, one on the east coast and another in the Rocky Mountains. I have also visited with several members on the phone and these discussions always provided an education. Thank you.

These are the lessons learned from these interactions with other members:

Every individual has strengths and weaknesses. Those that utilize their strengths and limit their weaknesses, educate themselves, are creative, and work hard will succeed in their environment.

Making a living as a scrapper is like a four legged table. Scrapping is only one leg. Family and or friends/contacts are the second leg. Work ethic, knowledge, and or desire is the third leg. Freedom is the forth leg. Cutting off one leg (it does not matter which one) and not balancing the rest of the load means the table will fall.

If you are not honest with yourself, you cannot be honest on the forum much less in your everyday life. All of the individuals I have met from the forum have been straight shooters (no reference to guns) and more focused on lifestyle than impressing others.

True scrappers are those that want to learn and share, not those that want to impress.

Patriot,
I know you know this, but if using a bolt rather than a pin, be sure it is a high enough graded bolt for the sheer load you will be applying with that winch. Hate to get something half loaded and snap the bolt holding the winch.

I heard somewhere those wire winches are dangerous, I think on here. May be wrong but careful! Chains the safe way.

Originally Posted by musicman57

Patriot,
I know you know this, but if using a bolt rather than a pin, be sure it is a high enough graded bolt for the sheer load you will be applying with that winch. Hate to get something half loaded and snap the bolt holding the winch.

You are absolutely correct. I think I will invest in a regular pin.

Originally Posted by DevinThaScrapper

I heard somewhere those wire winches are dangerous, I think on here. May be wrong but careful! Chains the safe way.

Wire rope is not as strong as chain or nylon rope. This cable is rated for six tons which means it should handle a lot more. Regardless of the pulling strap, the chance of whiplash exists. That is why a person should cover the tow line with a blanket, jacket, or even run it through a tire. Running a cable winch instead of a chain winch is not a concern. Personally a bigger concern exists with bungee cords and rubber tie downs. I can not count the number that have snapped and caused injury.

A lot of experience was gained with whiplash when working on the Watertank project and in Scrappers Dream. You will see the continuous use of a damping agent in each of these projects. On the water tank tires were used, sometimes up to three. Blankets and jackets were used in Scrappers Dream. This piece of advice given by a local farmer is in the top 10 of safety procedures in my book.

Thank you for your input and I hope at least one injury is prevented with this advice.

I would beg to differ on the comment about chain being stronger than cable, but it isn't that important. They're both made from steel.

BUT: a word of caution....chain is not necessarily "better" than cable....it will stretch and snap (and whip) just like cable. Chain is built from steel, like cable, and steel --IS-- flexible, to a point. That flexibility is the thing that makes cables and chains dangerous.

Patriots comment about putting a damper on the mid-span of the chain or cable is right on.

Jon.

You may not think so but per foot a chain can hold more than a straight rope or cable. It all depends on size of chain though and winch chains are large, thats why these are chain of choice for tow trucks with decks that pull cars onto them. The links also won't whip as bed when broken like a rope or cable would. Stats say it all with strength depending on size

In thread 98 I talked about my unique vise set up. Wanted to share a picture for those that want to build their own.

I love both of those vises!! Nice set-up. The concrete in the drum is the secret sauce!!

Jon.