Lawnjockies Build

[Lawnjockey]

I am converting an ATV trailer I made a few years ago into a teardrop. This isn't going to be a fancy one, just a workman like job. I am going to be using this on my frequent trips between Tennessee, New Mexico and California.

The first thing to do is reweld a couple of funky welds that were cracking. I finished removing the deck today and I wired up a pigtail for plugging in my welder to the house dryer circuit. I am also going to lengthen the trailer by adding to the front and back thus keeping the frame geometry the same.

I have taken a few pictures but I haven't figured out how to post them yet.

Jocko

[caseydog]

Here ya' go. http://www.mikenchell.com/pichelp.html

[Oasis Maker]

Lawnjockey, I like the level of commitment to a theme with your profile. One can only imagine what you will name your teardrop??

Scott G.

[caffeine]

Keep taking those pictures, even if it takes a while to post them. I wish I had taken more.

[Lawnjockey]

I pick up my steel for the trailer mods tomorrow. So, if it isn't raining again, I'll start cutting and welding. I'll take more pictures and if I ever figure out how to post them I will.

By the way, I think I got a good price on the steel, $34.00 per 20' of 1/8 wall 2 x 2 square tube.

Jocko

[Lawnjockey]

Well I started cutting and welding today after picking up my steel. I am adding 12" forward of the axle and 8" behind. To do this I cut the existing frame square, staggering the cuts. I will insert pieces and weld them in place. Once done I will sister the areas where the inserts are since I am not the greatest welder. I will also add gussetts where appropriate and beef up the tongue. I cut the steel with a Sawsall with a bymetal metal cutting blade. I have a cutoff saw but but that wouldn't help on the existing frame cuts. I was surprised how easy it cut so I used it to cut the inserts too.

I got a late start so I will finish welding tomorrow and start decking.

Jocko

[Miriam C.]

Jocko. Do you have a digital camera. If so then load the pictures into your computer. Then you will need to resize them and upload them to your galley.

This will help explain:
http://www.mikenchell.com/pichelp.html

Steve Trip has put lots of interesting tools in the Newbies section to help. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=11199

Looking forward to the pictures!

[Lawnjockey]

I have a camera and I have been taking pictures. With my computer skills it will probably take me a couple of hours to figure it out but I will do it.

Jocko

[Lawnjockey]

After a weather induced break yesterday, I finished up welding the frame up. Well almost, after hauling everything back inside the garage I noticed I had not welded on the tongue jack. Always something. I'll take care of that tomorrow then prep and paint the frame. If I am energetic I'll pick up the decking too.

Jocko

[Lawnjockey]

Yesterday I picked up the decking, fasteners and template stock. The weather was still not good enough for outside work. This morning I woke up to snow so I lofted the profile in the kitchen while the wife was out shopping. Once the layout was done I cut the template then I put the wall lines down on the kitchen floor. I put my sleeping mat down and tried it out for size. I invited the dog in and the cats gave their approval.

In regards to the actual laying out of the lines for the forward curve I made a large compass out of a batten by drilling two holes the distance of the radius apart. One for a tack and the other for a pencil. It worked great with no flexing. For the aft curve I used a 10' length of 1/2" pvc pipe to form the curve. This allowed me to tweak it with ease until I was happy with the curve. Once happy I ran a pencil line down the edge. Like they say, faster, cheaper, better.

On cutting the template stock I left the line. That means cutting to the outer edge of the line. I used a Bosch jig saw with a metal cutting blade. This gave a finer cut. The next step will be to smooth out any waviness using sandpaper wrapped around a scrap of wood. If I had not left the line the template would be slightly undersized after sanding.

I took more pictures and maybe I might try to figure out how to post them soon.

Jocko

[teardrop_focus]

I took more pictures and maybe I might try to figure out how to post them soon.

You keep threatening to do that. Stop teasing us.




Step One: Can you get the pics onto your computer? Let's start there, cause one you can do that, it's pretty easy.

[Lawnjockey]

I just finnished painting the trailer after finishing the welding, including the tongue jack this time. I cleared enough space in my garage shop to get it in out of the cold for painting. I cranked up the kerosine heater and promptly set off the smoke alarms.

If the paint sets up in this cold I will deck it tomorrow and varnish the deck.

I clamped up the template of the profile and I did not like it as much as I did when I made it up in the kitchen. The aft curve is fine but the forwar one just isn't right. I think I might just go for a simple 2' radius forward and use the aft curve.

I guess it is time to go shopping for some plywood. I am going to do several coats of varnish on the deck and while I am doing that I may as well be working on the sides.

I will down load some pictures to my computer tomorrow and then give posting them a try.

Jocko

[Lawnjockey]

Well I was lazy today and goofed off, went for a run, etc and didn't start work on the TD until 4:00 pm. In the few hours I worked on it I got the deck layed out, cut and clamped into place.

I had a very informative conversation with another member via PM and I will incorporate many of his ideas into my TD. My goal is to keep this as simple as possible and the advice I received will help in that direction.

Tomorrow I will fasten the deck and pick up the plywood for the sides.

Jocko

[Lawnjockey]

Photo test

[caseydog]

Photo test