Welding vs Bolting

[angib]

But for convincing a steel frame member to move into square or flat or to move a framing member that 1/64th of an inch nothing can beat a few pounds of steel on a hickory handle......

Having spent my early working life in shipyards, I was trained to think that "a few pounds of steel on a hickory handle" would be ideal for dressmaking, flower arranging and similar projects.

For more serious work, 'many pounds of steel' is more useful and I used to think that a 14lb hammer was small and a 28lb hammer was big. Then I worked in a yard that had some 56lb hammers - you had to swing them between your legs, as if you were a young lady playing croquet! They were called 'Mondays' though no-one could tell me why - my assumption that they enabled you "to knock things into next week" could not be confirmed.

Andrew

[Larwyn]

But for convincing a steel frame member to move into square or flat or to move a framing member that 1/64th of an inch nothing can beat a few pounds of steel on a hickory handle......

Having spent my early working life in shipyards, I was trained to think that "a few pounds of steel on a hickory handle" would be ideal for dressmaking, flower arranging and similar projects.

For more serious work, 'many pounds of steel' is more useful and I used to think that a 14lb hammer was small and a 28lb hammer was big. Then I worked in a yard that had some 56lb hammers - you had to swing them between your legs, as if you were a young lady playing croquet! They were called 'Mondays' though no-one could tell me why - my assumption that they enabled you "to knock things into next week" could not be confirmed.

Andrew

Andrew,

I still call my 14 pound hammer the "Tapper" and a 3lb the "Tweaker", but over the years that 14 pounds does seem heavier somehow....

I tend to agree with your asumption on the 56lb Monday. That one could knock things into next Monday, even if today were Monday....

[SteveH]

I used to work at a place that did a lot of tower work, or aerial steel work. They did not know what a hammer was, as they were called "beaters". Little beaters and big beaters.

[angib]

They did not know what a hammer was, as they were called "beaters". Little beaters and big beaters.

Oh! You mean 'fine adjusters' and 'coarse adjusters'......

Andrew

[ALAN GEDDES]

Just hand me the BFH and I'll make anything fit.

[doug hodder]

A good idea would be to upgrade the bolts to a harder one. Grade 8 is going to be costly. I don't know what is supplied, but you could probably get by with grade 5's I would also not just rely on a lock washer. I would definitely use red lock-tite also. Also periodically check tightness. It is a lot easier in the driveway rather than on the road. Just my thoughts on it. Doug Hodder

[gardenwood]

Ahhh, the BFH. We have one that lives in the storage shed. Was invaluable in moving our "custom" base cabinet into place in the dining area. Took very little caulk once it was in place.

Lois

[asianflava]

Tom,
If you are considering LockTite, just be sure to use the right one.
I believe the red stuff is for perminate apps. and the blue is non perminate apps.
If I was going to bolt the frame together, I think I'd be inclined to go with NyLock Nuts instead.

To make it even more confusing, the blue stuff comes in red bottles. Nylocks are a good idea.

[asianflava]

They were called 'Mondays' though no-one could tell me why - my assumption that they enabled you "to knock things into next week" could not be confirmed.

Andrew

Do you think they were called Mondays because they were typically used on Monday to fix the things that were hastily put together on Friday? When we have a machine at work that has chronic problems we say, "That one must have been biult on a Friday."

[Keith B]

Rickxr2... WOW... $400 for a custom trailer without paint is great... where is this guy... I'd pay that in a heart-beat for a welded trailer and all the accessories.

[dhazard]

Hi Keith, Trying not to burst your bubble, but this tread is almost 2 years old and the price of steel has gone up some…

[Nitetimes]

Hi Keith, Trying not to burst your bubble, but this tread is almost 2 years old and the price of steel has gone up some…

No doubt!! I know where to get the best price on steel and I build my own and I can't do one from new materials for 4 bucks!!

[Gaston]

bolts are a wonderful invention for attaching objects to each other in a manner that allows easy disassembly.
Welds are a quick way to ensure the objects attached together don't disassemble.
SO if you don't want to your trailer to be un-screwed, weld it. Remember
the bolt you don't put in can't fall out

[Lot5studio]

where are you seeing it for 450???? their site says 629.
http://www.redtrailers.com/ShowTrailer.asp?id=6

All of the Harbour Freight trailer frames are bolted, and yes, I believe they are cheaper.

The 5x8 red trailer certainly would have been cheaper than the route I went. But then again, it doesn't have a torsion axle, and those fancy star wheels that I've been drooling over for 2 years!!! It's all in what you want I guess!

Here's the link that Tom found for red trailers!!!
http://www.redtrailers.com/Trailers.asp

Mike...

I'll be odering my 5 x 8 RedTrailer at the end of the week. I just noticed the the price has dropped to $450. It was $500 when I first spotted them a few weeks ago.

I haven't decided if I'll drive to PA to pick it up or spend the $90 to have it shipped. By the time I spend the $$ on gas and tolls, I won't be saving much. However, I am feeling the effects of cabin fever. A road trip might be nice.

[luluxiu]

If you use the correct type of bolts, they are strong, welding, twisting and bending of the bolt to allow the framework. There are a lot of running around Hong Kong Freight frame built Cubbys.