zook off road trailer AKA Tadpole

[christover1]

Yep, generally bigger rod, bigger job.

80 amps will do the business for the light stuff.

Personally, I'd just use the thinner rods and 80 amps for everything you're doing. You'd be surprised how little I adjust my Mig.

Remember you can always do multiple runs if you clean the slag out well between runs.

thanx.
I have been practicing multiple runs, not pretty yet, but seems to stay together.
A box of Austarc rods (NZ Made) came with the welder and a bag of Satincraft CIG rods with the helmet.
So I may just keep using them till they run out, then give thought to sizes.
If I get good with them, makes sense to stick with em, I guess.

christover

[christover1]

Well its all glued together, hope it stays that way
and finaly glued on spring locating pads.

There will be no close up shots of welds, cos I don't like public humiliation

The welds should be strong enuff, just not pretty, and will be bolted as well, so no problem.

Guessed right on the tar paint stuff, small can was exactly enough to cover base.
Will get another load of tar after floor and sides go in, just to protect underneath.

I got to wait 3 days for it dry, then will get into the Deep Brunswick green paint for the rest.
Frog Green for a Tadpole

I was very surprised how many rods I used. 1 whole box of austarc and a fair few from the CIG packet.

[christover1]

Finaly got some green paint on it.
1st coat, then paint ran out, guess I guesstimated the amount wrong
And wheels can stay on, now, making it much easier to move it round.
I feels like I'm gettin somewhere.
A bit held up by a dead water pump and various jobs on the zook at the mo.
I "won" the 4wd hitch on ebay, tho haven't heard back about pay/pickup/delivery details yet.
It's a cheap knock-off I'm guessing. Hopefully it will last.
I'm only running 25% of the max load, so should be ok.
christover

[christover1]

Still no reply from the ebay hitch seller, beginning to worry now

Took Tadpole out into the sun today to do a few small jobs in between replacing Frog's waterpump.
I really need another coat of green.
Gee Ya miss a lot workin in a dark corner of the garage.
It's moveable now, so the rest of the work can be done outside

[sierrajim]

Looking good chris and don't forget to sand between coats.

[christover1]

Looking good chris and don't forget to sand between coats.

Thanks I did that.

[christover1]

Green paint finished the 2nd coat.
I fairly happy with that.
Just the Hitch fitting to do then can paint draw bar completely.
After the floor and sides are fitted, will do another coat of tar paint underneath and inside mudguards.

I need advice, opinions and suggestions on thickness of aluminium I should be using.
I've had a good quote on 1.6 (not sure if checkerplate or not) but I'm told by a few that this will be too weak for my needs.
I've supplied rough dimensions in the pic.

Thanks in advance.
christover

[mightymouse]

Looks like its beginning to take shape nicely - and not a dodgy weld to be seen.

Now where does the aircon and TV go ?

[christover1]

Looks like its beginning to take shape nicely - and not a dodgy weld to be seen.

Now where does the aircon and TV go ?

I have got a portable dvd, so maybe I should run a 12v power wire out to the trailer?
Cool

All dodgy welds will be hidden by sealant, paint, bolt on objects and anything else I can think of.
Can't have all those welding gurus lookin too close

[cj!]

That may be a bit thin for the floor Chris. How are you going to use the floor? As a rough and ready guide you want aluminium to be about 50% thicker than steel to provide similar strength.