Here's the "Z" shop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/camaro7.jpg

http://img5.glowfoto.com/images/2008/01/06-1203451038T.jpg (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=1930432)

http://img3.glowfoto.com/images/2007/05/17-1609562664T.jpg (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=1395734)

http://img3.glowfoto.com/images/2007/04/29-1432532102T.jpg (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=1350508)

http://img4.glowfoto.com/images/2007/01/06-2024485495T.jpg (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=1119499)

I made an addition to the "Z" shop the last few days.

I had a couple hours yesterday afternoon & a couple more this afternoon, so I thought I'd get organized for the upcoming "Z" firewall build. I've got some sheet metal tools that have been under the bench for a good long while now. So, I chopped up an old attachment I had for my first track loader that was just collecting dust in the corner. It had some slip tubes on it (like a receiver for the hitch). I used some angle iron I had in the shed and made this deal up. I put it on an outside corner of the shop so I'd have plenty of workin' room.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Attachmentreceiver.jpg

I bought a stretcher/shrinker at a car show a couple years ago. No mount so it hasn't been used yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Shrinker.jpg

Harbor Freight Planishing hammer. Might call it new old stock. I've had it for a long time too, but never used it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/PlanishingHammer.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Beadroller1.jpg

I've used the bead roller a couple times. Clamped it in the band saw when I DID use it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/BeadRoller2.jpg

I'm wondering about a wing (table top) on each side of the bead roller to help feed the stock through? or maybe it would just get in the way? Any thoughts?

I welded up the welding table tonight. I cut the supplies kinda' close. I have 1/2 pc. of filler rod left, 20 PSI of argon in the second tank & the 20''x20'' table top was the biggest pc. I could get out of what's left of a 4'x4'x3/16'' sheet of steel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Weldingtabletop.jpg

Bracing under the table. Gettin' low on that stuff too, but I got er' done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Weldingtablebottom.jpg

Worked on the bead roller today. I got rid of the hand crank and put a bicycle wheel in its place. Local bike shop gave it to me, it's a little bent, but it works for this deal. I figured the bigger the wheel the better control. I had to try it out, works a whole lot better now. . I made an aluminum table for the exit side. Loosen 1 thumb screw at the bottom and it lifts off a couple pins on the top. I scribed some lines every 2" as guides. no fence yet. I think I'll use it this way first and add a fence later.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Beadrollertable-1.jpg

Got the Vice mount done. I made a knee brace for those times when I feel the need to beat on the vise. Same brace will work on all the attachments.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Vise.jpg

....and I got the rack finished up tonight. Everything in easy reach, tucked away behind the door. Oh, I bent up some scrap sign aluminum also, to protect the wall.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Attachmentrack.jpg

I think I'm ready to start on the "Z" firewall now. I have to put a quick disconnect in the planishing hammer air line so I don't have to drag the foot pedal around. It's a pain in the hose this way.

Gary you are one creative individual, nice work

Gary,
What happened to your mock up engine and trans? When I first saw your post my first two thoughts were this is one smart dude with this creation and I love that he has his own engine/trans mock up!:thumbsup:

Gary,
What happened to your mock up engine and trans? When I first saw your post my first two thoughts were this is one smart dude with this creation and I love that he has his own engine/trans mock up!:thumbsup:

It's up in the attic right now. I'm getting ready to build the firewall. Before I start the firewall though, I wanted to get the English Wheel built. Ran into a little snag. I made up the bottom anvil assembly last night. Cut the frame parts out today. Got a couple pcs. clamped together to weld.......and then stripped the threads out of the torch head on the TIG. and it's saturday.
There goes the weekend. ...............


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Englishwheel1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Englishwheel2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Englishwheel3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Englishwheel4.jpg

Got a little more done on the English wheel yesterday. A guy I talked to on the phone that builds E-Wheels said if I build one it needs to be very sturdy & needs a lot of adjustment built in. So, this is what I came up with for the top anvil. It's a little more complicated than it needs to be, but I had a couple old air actuated hydraulic cylinders laying around that I wanted to make use of. I got them for free probably about 30 years ago and finally decided it's time to use what's left of them. I found one of the cylinder housings was corroded through but the ram was still good & that's what I needed for the anvil adjuster. Too bad they are shot, the cylinders are all aluminum (except for the ram).
Anyway here's the deal. I cut a couple sleeves out of aluminum round stock for the rams.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ramsupportscut.jpg

Cut a couple supports for the sleeves on the CNC
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/RamsupportsCNC.jpg

Parts pressed together. I didn't want the anvil assembly to rely on threads cut in aluminum, so I made this little pocket to hold a nut for the 3/4" ready rod that will be the adjusting screw.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ramsupportpressedtogether.jpg


Turning part of the ready rod down to 5/8'' to make an adjuster out of it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/TurningReadyRod.jpg

Here's where it's at so far. I have those cylinder rams cut to length. Turned a hub for the adjusting wheel that will be mounted on top. There will be a plate where the brass bushings are to tie the assembly together. Got a wheel and mounting flanges to make yet and the top anvil part of the project will be done.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ramscuttosize.jpg

I found some aluminum at the salvage yard that just said "I want to be an English wheel". I am building it to fit in the receiver I have on the wall for the other attachments. So, aluminum will make it a bunch lighter when I attach it to the wall to use. Old guys have to consider these things ya' know.

Had some time to kill his afternoon so I drew up & cut out the adjuster wheel for the E-Wheel.

Cut the hand grips out of 1/2" PVC.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/EWheel1.jpg

1/4" aluminum for the wheel itself.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ewheel2.jpg

Used fusor auto body panel adhesive to glue it all together.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ewheel3.jpg

Like Norm Abram says ''I'll let it cook in the clamps overnight''.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ewheel4.jpg

Wow ,,,very impressive.

Got a little more done tonight.

Cutting out the backing plate. The slots are to index the backing plate to the adjuster assembly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/E-Wheelbackingplate.jpg

Cutting out the top cap that connects the ready rod to the rams.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/RamcapEwheel.jpg

Top cap completed. The brass thrust bushings are pressed in from the top and bottom. They come about .020 short of touching each other. This allows grease to be pumped in from the grease fitting.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ramcapfinished.jpg

Assembly is pretty close to done. This shows the index slots that align the backing plate to the assembly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Topwheeladjustmentassembly.jpg

I also added a grease fitting to each ram cylinder just to keep everything workin' smooth.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Topwheeladjustmentassembly2.jpg

Got a little more done last night. Parts for the top anvil.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/TopAnvilYoke.jpg

That is awesome Gary!

I wish I had the time and the skills, oh and of course the tools.

Keep the pics coming...:thumbsup:

Thanks Drew.
I finished the top anvil assembly tonight. Time to start welding up the frame.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/TopAnvilassemblyfinished.jpg

you got mad skills. what do you do for a living?
Barry

I love your ability!

Thanks 67

Tonight I cut a jig to align the top & bottom anvils. Next is to cut the frame tube & match it up to the flange on the back of the top wheel assembly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ewheelwoodjig.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Ewheelwoofjiginstalled.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/TopEwheelBracket1.jpg

I got the frame built. I knew when I decided to built an English Wheel light enough to easily mount to the wall receiver it would be a challenge. Deflection is not a good thing, so I am hoping to make up for the light frame with some triangulated bracing. Only time will tell if it works or becomes lawn art. I figure if it doesn't work I can always build a steel frame since the top & bottom anvil yokes are bolt ons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/TopEwheelframebracket2.jpg

what is that, looks like a unicycle, but im really curious

Very impressive Gary. Your a true craftsman!!!

Thanks Jeff.

what is that, looks like a unicycle, but im really curious

The bicycle wheel is for the bead roller. I replaced the crank with the wheel to give me more control over the roller.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Beadrollertable-1.jpg

Just about done with this deal. Got all the steel parts painted black & made a plywood rack for the lower anvils. All that's left is to dial in the top anvil. Seems to have pulled the bottom in a little during the welding. A shim ought to bring it back into alignment. I tried it out and I'll be if it doesn't work. Time to get back on the "Z" now.

The plan was to make it light enough to carry around. Weighs 84 Lbs. including a set of anvils. My shoulder fits under the top arm so it's not bad taking it out & putting it in the wall receivers. I planned to put struts on the bottom arm but it seems to be pretty stable the way it is. If it becomes a problem I'll add that later. Don't want it any heavier than it has to be.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/AnvilRack.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/EnglishWheelFinished.jpg

I tried a scrap pc. of .080 aluminum just to see what it would do. Bare in mind I've never used one of these contraptions before so I'm sure it would turn out better with practice. I'm surprised how easy they are to use. I figured I'd get a workout pulling & pushin' the workpiece back & forth but it's so easy a caveman could do it. :lol:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/080aluminumwheeled.jpg

Very cool!:thumbsup:

This is some nice work.You must have some patience.

Gary, I've been watching this post as it's moved along and not commented, but I have to say, I'm VERY impressed with your talent, skill, and ingenuity. Your vision for what you want to accomplish, and then having the talent to do it is astounding.

Thanks Drew, PRO & Chris. I really appreciate that.

And, it fits in the void behind the door with the Bead Roller, Shrinker/Stretcher, Plannishing Hammer & Welding table when they aren't in use. So, I'm hardly loosing any floor space at all when it's all put away. I have to add one more receiver on the storage rack for the vise since I now have one more attachment than I do storage rack receivers. On normal days this space is just more or less a hallway to the back room where the CNC is (where I normally do sign work). I need this space open so I can get materials into the room and signs back out.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/metalworkingtoolstorage.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/MetalToolsStorage2.jpg

Unreal.... you are the man :beers:

Very nice work :yes:

you got mad skills. what do you do for a living?
Barry

No lie! Very nice! I hope to have a shop half as nice when I grow up. :yes:

Thanks Doug & Larry. O.K. Now I'm done. For sure. I'm in the sign biz' ..... I had to do it.....what can I say? lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/EnglishWheeldecals.jpg

Thanks Doug & Larry. O.K. Now I'm done. For sure. I'm in the sign biz' ..... I had to do it.....what can I say? lol.

LOL, very nice! Nothing like putting the finishing touch on a long project.

Gary,

I could not close without posting a comment. I am in the custom handling device business. I thought our guys did nice work. I'll show them this thread on Monday.. They are going to have to step up their game...... Great work!

Thanks Chris.
camarojakes, thank you also for the compliment. I'm glad it turned out like it did. Sometimes my projects DO work :yes:, sometimes not so much. :noway:

I'm ready to rebuild the firewall. I cut the flanges out today for the intercooler tubes to pass through the firewall. Ready to finish on the lathe.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/Firewallstart.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/FirewallFlanges1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/FirewallFlanges2.jpg

Got the flanges turned this weekend.

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8913/flangebore.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/flangebore.jpg/) http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/flangebore.jpg/1/w850.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img25/flangebore.jpg/1/)

I put a groove around the edge of the flange for the firewall sheet metal. Once I install the o-ring and get in place I'll check the new gap with a feeler gauge and make a soft gasket to seal the flange to the firewall

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8826/frontfirewallflangeclea.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/frontfirewallflangeclea.jpg/) http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/frontfirewallflangeclea.jpg/1/w850.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img196/frontfirewallflangeclea.jpg/1/)

Engine side of the flange bored to size for the tubes.

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/7459/flangetubefit.jpg (http://img36.imageshack.us/i/flangetubefit.jpg/) http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/flangetubefit.jpg/1/w850.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img36/flangetubefit.jpg/1/)

Got everything mocked up. The flanges on the windshield will be added to the inlet side. I'll turn those once I get the V-band clamp. Should be here any day. The outlet side attaches to the carb bonnet with hose & clamp.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4591/flangesmockedup.jpg (http://img194.imageshack.us/i/flangesmockedup.jpg/) http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/flangesmockedup.jpg/1/w850.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img194/flangesmockedup.jpg/1/)

Made a little more progress. I put the ol' foam mock up engine in it to make sure I get the angles right before going too much further.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/236/plumbingmockup102709.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/plumbingmockup102709.jpg/)

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/1606/vbandassembly1.jpg (http://img130.imageshack.us/i/vbandassembly1.jpg/)

I've been runnin' the lathe off & on the last few days & got the V-Band clamp flanges done.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7206/vbandassembly2.jpg (http://img33.imageshack.us/i/vbandassembly2.jpg/)

Assembled and ready to TIG together

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2476/vbandassembly3.jpg (http://img440.imageshack.us/i/vbandassembly3.jpg/)

one more check to make sure everything fits like it should.