Nate's 2002 TJ, Not so simple anymore by gst95dsm

6 minute(s) of a 391 minute read

I worked a little more on the table today. First order of business was to run some line cut testing to configure the plasma for the best possible cut with as little dross as possible. Worked out pretty good and we were able to get the cuts looking good needing minimal clean up. Here's a few things I cut out today. Another goal for today was to import a graphic and convert to CAD. This is pretty but after you get the graphic formatted there is a lot of touch up and modification before it can actually be cut. I learned a lot today.

9-20-2013

This is officially the longest my Jeep has ever been down, either broken or waiting for parts. I'm not coping well at this point. Paid another 300 on my tank today.... almost there, probably two weeks. I designed and cut out a DIY style beadlock ring on the plasma table today... that was fun. Shop owner is going to finalize a part to put into production that I might get paid to do the CAD work on and cutting. That would be cool. My full time job is so secure it's hard not feeling trapped...... I'd much rather be fabricating than selling tires.... but I have to look at the big picture. Damn 401k's and health care plans, and vacation time, and corporate umbrellas...... haha. Anyone working a career that pay's well, has security.....but isn't very fulfilling on a creative level???

9-23-2013

Made a fire extinguisher mount on the table today.... well a prototype of one. It actually came out pretty good. I have to order the pull pin and after that it will be a functional prototype. If I was going to make more I'd fab up a welding jig. Overall it was quite fun to actually draw out multiple pieces with the intention of them working together to make a complete part. Definitely a lot to think about to make sure it goes together as planned. I have a few tweaks here and there to make it function better but the overall design works good. It's based off the some other steel mounts out there obviously, but I'm trying things with the design to make it better.  

9-27-2013

Cut out a piece of plate for Mike MO2500 today for his spare tire mount. I'm REALLY happy with the cut, compared to what I was getting before. I got virtually zero dross and what I did have chipped off completely and easily. Tweaking the cut height and pierce height just fractions of an inch is what has made the improvement. I did struggle to array a bolt pattern on the piece so we decided to just leave it blank and he could drill the holes. It get's a little tricky spacing things out exactly and maintaining the proper hole size. I just gotta play with that more to get better at it.  

10-1-2013

Yeah it's not cheap.... but it's very nice.  





Test drive!!!!!

I've got to say luck was on my side with the tank install. I didn't have to modify the skid at all. I got pretty scared when it looked like the neck for the filler hose was going to be directly in front of the frame but after adjusting everything and getting the tank up as high as possible it worked out fine, it's TIGHT in that area, but all good. I was also able to use the frame mount just as it was designed and it fell towards the bottom of my shock tower, perfect. I've got plenty of diff clearance and track bar clearance. The fuel line, electrical and vent line all hooked up with minimal persuasion. I flicked the key a couple times and it started right up. Drove over to get some fresh gas in it, put some air in the tires and drove around a bit. Everything seems cool. I'll do a thorough nut bolt check, and rear alignment when I get some time but overall.......... I'm HAPPY to have my Jeep back! Took 9 weeks to accomplish this and I learned a lot, now time for wheeling.

10-2-2013

Does anyone have an opinion on running Metalcloak joints on one end and clevite on the other? I don't see how it could harm the MC joint with it's desire to self center... I can't really think of any reason it would be "bad" per se, other than being more restrictive and less flexible than a dual MC jointed arm. I was thinking about going this route to get rid of the noisy (well squeaky) and dirty joints I have now, but not taking the entire $800 hit all at once. Thinking out loud here....