I heard some people they just shut off their power due to the issues the winter storm brought on. 20 degree weather and no power, WTF?

 

Everyone I know has said their electric bill went way up. Here in Tennessee we had a few cold days in February, but January was colder overall. And I was grinding and welding all summer. And while Im complaining, my insurance at work just went up 20%...I cant wait until the gas gets back to $4 a gallon.

 

A generator, and some gas, would still be cheaper than what they are charging for power in some places.

 

I would imagine everybody bought them all up so generators may be hard to come by. I was actually pondering the idea of one of those generac units that turn on when the power goes out and runs on natural gas.

 

Not inexpensive. Friend of mine paid around 10 grand for his whole-house generator, and auto transfer switch. But, he lives WAY out in the sticks, and power problems are common.

 

Went to the scrap yard with a friend and picked up some metal to make an extension. I wanted the ability to clamp in the middle of the table, and still be able to lay something long across it. I also wanted a grate for plasma cutting. So, I used my scrap metal for an extension, and made up a grate. The extension is tacked on for now. It will probably stay. I think I want the plasma grate to be removable. Plus Im going to add a metal chute or funnel that sends the slag into a bucket. Im a little nervous using the plasma cutter in the garage. Ive seen a few done the way I want so it shouldnt be too hard. This is all scrap metal, so some of it was a little bent, and it was all rusty. Plus I still need to make some bench tool mounts for the drill press, the sander and the saw.

This should be the last set of table pictures. Im back on the truck this week, finishing up the brakes, and possibly pushing it outside for a full attempt to start it if the weather cooperates. I did manage to get the battery cables and the hold down straps done. I havent secured the cables yet, but I will. I need the truck higher off the ground to get under like I need to. I might go back and get more scrap and make a set of wheel stands.


A shot with the table extension, and a long rusty piece of scrap.

Closer shot of the extension. Now I can clamp closer to the middle, instead of just the sides. That scrap piece is about to be a grate.

And viola. A couple of hours of cutting and grinding. The grate will mount off the side, but will be removable

All cleaned up, and ready for service. Ill really clean it this summer, and paint it, after all the mods are done.

 

I've got two. 5500 watt with 8500 surge and 8500 watt with 10500 surge.

 

Got to work on the truck again this weekend. I started off making a stand for the cutting grate on the table Friday. The grate comes out, and Ill be able to put another "leaf" on that side. I dont have enough metal to make a different leaf, so Im done for awhile. And like I said, I dont want this turning into a welding table thread. Its handy for sure, and much bigger. Its 78 inches overall with the temporary leaf.

Anyway..the truck. I got the rear drum brakes on....and I would just like to say I HATE drum brakes. I know that might cause a few feathers to ruffle, and that isnt my intention. I know they have some advantages, but Im just not a fan. A few weeks ago I put rear brakes on my daughters car, and the spring tool slipped, like it always does, and I punched the fender. My hand still hurts, and now Im out there trying to do it all over again. I didnt punch anything this week, so thats a plus. That emergency brake lever sucks too, especially when you forget to put it in and have everything else in. I know, Im an idiot, but holy cow. I took all this apart about 3 years ago, and fully expected to either put it back sooner, or go with disc brakes. Im probably still going to put rear discs on it eventually. But the wheels are on now, and I just need to bleed the brakes and check for leaks.

I also got the radiator mount roughed up, and the last portion of the inner fender well is almost done. After looking it over, my wife and I have decided to not use those ugly blue hoses for the coolant. It seemed like a good idea, but they are just ugly. Im going to use 1-1/2" and 1-3/4" exhaust tubing, and weld up some coolant hoses, then we will use straight rubber unions. I bought a tubing bead roller die from Mittler brothers, that will do the tubing, and we have a bead roller from those guys at work. Ill weld up the shape I want, and roll a bead on the end. And I welded up a 3/16 plate to the front crossmember. I dont have pictures of that, but its such a convenient jack point, with the truck being so low, but it tended to flex with all the weight. The plate should help, and Ive already used it twice today.

After I get that done, Ill make another attempt to start it up. I want all the fluids in it first. I feel like Im getting close now. The only big items left are a driveshaft and shocks. The shocks will be almost $1300. Im not sure about the driveshaft. I think I need one of those slip joints, but I need to talk to the driveshaft shop first. I know I have a hundred little details left, but Im getting there.

Radiator mount is roughed in. Still needs nutcerts and some filler and paint. Ill add some foam too.

Just another angle. Fan shroud is in also.

One last shot of the table. It gets cluttered, but its much bigger so it means much more clutter

The truck is covered in a thick layer of cutting wheel dust. Its everywhere. Im going to get a band saw soon to reduce the dust. Its bad.

 

Wow, it actually looks like a truck. Good Deal!

 

Got the tubing in so I started the radiator hoses. Top is 1-1/2:, bottom is 1-3/4". Top was easy, I just cut it to length. The bottom was a challenge. I got it, and everything is nice and neat, I think. Again, I wont be using the blue, I just havent got the black rubber hoses yet. I also made a small support bracket for the bottom tube. Ill bolt it in this weekend, hopefully. I think its in one of the pictures but its hard to see. Ill take them to work Monday and roll the bead in them. Ill also clean up the tubing a bit and powder coat them to match the valve covers and air cleaner.

Im not really sure if the top tube needs a support. It stays okay now, but it will be full of coolant. It will also have clamps. If I decide to make a support, I have no idea where to put it. More to come tomorrow.

On the table getting tacked up. The new table works great and its a back saver.

Top shot. Shows both tubes.

Bottom tube. If you look closely, you can see the bracket.