Catersplitter Build Thread
- Thread starter Kevin in Ohio
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I'll weld this to the big round but I have to drill the hole for the threaded collar. I'll do a press fit hole.
Pressed it in and it'll make it easy to TIG weld. Next is the handle.
Had a piece of .500 round that was 10 inches long and that will work out great. I want a T handle as opposed to just one side like it had before. That way which ever side you are on it will be easy to lock the boom in position. Need male threads on both ends for the ball knobs so instead of turning them, I just drill and tap.
Once they are both done, I just thread in some bolt and tighten. I threaded only enough that it would stop midway on the thread. bottoming out if you will. that way it will stay. Especially since I locktighted them too!
Then I just cut the heads of. This way you have a hard corner with threads all the way. Makes the knobs look better to me as they are tight.
Here you can see what I mean. I'll drill a .250 hole in the middle next but only go about 2/3 through. This will lock the handle in position. You'll see what I have in mind shortly
Hole is done.
Junk draw yielded another piece. I'm drilling a .500 hole here clear through for the handle to pass through. I'll then drill and tap a 1/4 - 20 thread on the lathe to hold the handle there.
On the other side of the piece I recessed it. Went just about the thickness of the bolt head. I'll TIG weld this on as well.
I also want to get the hole for the grease zerk done so I marked it and drilled it out a little small. Once I was certain it was right, opened it up big enough to get a grease gun on it easily. I think I'll add another one to the other side in the same spot.
Other side is done and to size so I'll finish the poly band. I'll have to take the stock off where the zerk holes and brass block passes through.
Quick measurement for the blocks width and height and cut that out. This will work to keep it in place as well.
So glad this is working out. I would not want it any tighter.
I'm also going to put a spring on the inside to keep drag pressure on the boom. Threaded collar serving double duty here
I'll just trace the hole and drill close. Then finish with a burr in a die grinder.
Need to make 2 braces for strength. Out comes the cereal box for pattern making. Should be able to get both of them out of this little leftover.
I think this belongs in the WTF thread...Awesome!! This craftsmanship is off the charts. I'm very envious of your skills.
To me it's just about taking the time to make what you want. Appreciate the comments shown here but I've always just looked for a practical solution and think up something that will work. It may be a few days till I finish it now as my Miller TIG is down. The rotary switch on the torch died. Went today and ask them to verify what I had trouble shot and they agreed.
Typical corporate greed here. this part they are charging $120.00. The whole thing new with wire and plug is $240.00. I'm sorry there is no need to gouge like that.
in another life eons ago i spent a lot of time sourcing parts for those type of things just so we could repair them in house, rather than paying Highway robber barons pricing. Things like a 50 cent ic chip vs $3000.00 for a whole board. I would guess that the reostat went south on there.
I paid for the board this time but as you say, I'll be talking with my brother. He works in electronics and he should be able to find that rotary switch/reostat. His wife just got diagnosed with Leukemia so he is taking care of her. Not a good time to ask him so I bit the bullet this time. Miller probably has less than $5.00 in that whole board.
I'm getting to be not shy about charging folks for repairs and upgrades because of this stuff. I at least like to make McDonald's wages per hour, let alone when you are wearing your equipment out.
I had to buy a new switch for my battery charger last year. Company wanted around $50 for a new one. I got on ebay and found one for $4 with free shipping. Had a old ford escort several years ago. The control box for the AC when out. Ford wanted $300 for a new one, took it to a electronic guy and he fixed the box for $25. The actual part needed only cost a few cents, the rest was for his labor.
panolo
Seldom right...Always opinionated!
This is my first venture into this thread. Love your work Kevin! Should have know when it was a 9 pager you started it was gonna be good!
I trace the curve from the pattern and grind most of it out. I finish the curve on the roll wheel of the belt sander. Want these tight as I'll TIG weld.
Real close and I'll either take more off or press it in once I have the V bracket final welded.
Got the bottom one done too.
I used the grinding wheel to align everything for tack welding. I'll then double check it on the splitter before final welding.
Checked fine so I welded it on.
After getting the other side I tapped in the center brace supports. This should make it real stout.
Then the top side was done. next will be the handle screw.
A little fill welding and we are done. I'll rechase all the threads and coat it all with Anti Sieze before putting it in.
Put it all back on and really like how it works now. Looks better too!
Haven't tried the coat hanger yet. LOL
I used a button head cap screw on the handle lock. I may also put a poly bushing on the inside of the tube to get some of the wobble out of that. I'll see how this goes first with some use.
Still can grease it easy too. Should be better with zerks 180 from each other.
Real happy with the end result and the double ended handle will be a lot better. Loads more advantage on tightening and surface area on the tube.
Very nice.
hoskvarna
Addicted to ArboristSite
Dang Kevin that looks professional [emoji106]
I’m a welder by trade (28yrs)before my shoulder injury and permanent layoff.
Welds are beautiful and am envious of your tools,lathe etc.
Sent from Hoskvarna Hills
I’m a welder by trade (28yrs)before my shoulder injury and permanent layoff.
Welds are beautiful and am envious of your tools,lathe etc.
Sent from Hoskvarna Hills
Weather got worse as we had some ice on top of the snow so I decided to go ahead and take the slop out of the swing mast before even try out the new lock. Measured the difference between the 2 and it was .175 so I need a n .0875 bushing per side. I have poly that thickness but worried about it moving around. Came up with another plan using .125 thick. Measured the distance I had to deal with and took off some. Then marked that with a marker.
I thought about how to form the lip using a saw with the depth set or screwing it to a board to hold it flat. I figured with the time involved in that It would be quicker just to free hand it. I'll use a carbide burr in a die grinder. I just go up to the line while a short section is sticking out of the vise.
Here you can see forming the lip
I set a pair of calipers a little small and will use them as a go, no go gauge.
Here is an illustration. I just did about 2 inches at a time. Once I got it started it went quicker. I could get all but the last 3/4" this way and I just held it for the last bit.
All done and took about 15 minutes.
I then marked, cut and drill for the zerks and brass lock down.
This will help to keep it in position and allow the grease to get in there where it will keep it smooth.
Should work out pretty well.
I greased the bushing and mast lightly and it slid right in. Then pumped grease through the zerk while slowly turning the mast so it got a nice even coat in there. Did the same on the other zerk and you can see it coming out in an even pattern at the top of the black bushing.
What a difference that made. No more rocking.
The brass lock down should be better as well as it won't be on an angle. With it cocking like it was it was taking it out of alignment with the way I ground it. Everything works as smooth as silk now.
nighthunter
addicted to arboristsite
Have you a video of the splitter working it looks like a beast
No video yet. I don't even have a cell phone. LOL
So, you can build crazy mechanical contraptions but you can't text?
Texting is a skill that I don't mind not having.
I think some people would be amazed how much extra time they would have if they'd throw the cell phone out. In the best twilight Zone voice.... Imagine if you will, a world in which you could do a job and no get interrupted or distracted...........Texting is a skill that I don't mind not having.
When I run the splitter, I've got earbuds in my ears, then hearing protection over that, my phone can ring, ding, and ting all it wants I won't hear it. Come to think of it, I do tend to get more splitting done in the same amount of time it takes me to do anything else. You may be onto something!
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