Thread: 1956 Series 1 with PTO welder (home made)

Did some more work on the trailer today, fitted a beavertail.
My DIY MIG welder is about 25 years old and it does the job but I decided to tack weld the main components and then I'll take the trailer into work and use a decent welder.
Added 500mm to the rear and will add 500mm to the front that way it will take a LWB.

Need to fit the hand winch and a box to the drawbar. It came with a box but I had to cut it off to extend the front.

SWMBO commented "Why are you making it long enough for a LWB ? You're not buying any more !!". Thinking quickly I answered "It's in case one of the LWB's breaks down and I have to tow it home.....". I must of hesitated briefly because she clearly didn't believe me !

DSCN4641 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I'll have to run some temporary wiring for the lights then once the welding is finished do it properly.
I'm considering taking the box in the floor out as well. It takes the spare wheel but you'd have to remove the vehicle being towed to get to it. A crossmember was cut out by the father-in-law to fit the box but I have another to fit if I go ahead.


Colin

Colin looking good
If you want i have a 250 amp mig your welcome to borrow if it help`s

Originally Posted by rangieman

Colin looking good
If you want i have a 250 amp mig your welcome to borrow if it help`s

Thanks Chris,

I actually have a big MIG welder I was given but I've never used it before so rather than learn while welding this trailer I thought I'd get someone at work to set up the works welder. Bonus is they probably have a better power supply at work than me working at the end of an extension lead. Double bonus is it's their wire & gas..........



Colin

This is fast becoming a 'trailer' thread......

Started on the front extension after chopping out the front rail etc.

DSCN4644 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Here is the other welder in the shed, I really need to play with it to get used to the settings etc. Mind you I should see if Google can provide a manual....

DSCN4643 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

I'll have to drag it out & have a look.

Getting the series I ready for Cooma in 2007, doesn't time fly..... Getting the Series 1 Ready for Cooma

Some comments after Cooma 2008 Made it to Cooma & back


Colin

You should be able to get online instructions with a Transmig, I think they're a fairly common unit. Also, I think (?) there's a shop on Greens Rd not far from the rail Xing which is a base for these too Colin. The other option is I can give you a crash course with some tips on it if you like.

Originally Posted by Chops

You should be able to get online instructions with a Transmig, I think they're a fairly common unit. Also, I think (?) there's a shop on Greens Rd not far from the rail Xing which is a base for these too Colin. The other option is I can give you a crash course with some tips on it if you like.

Thanks Marcus,
I'll see how I go getting it done at work, should be ready in a couple of weeks.
If that doesn't work out I'll give you a call.....

Colin

Originally Posted by gromit

Thanks Marcus,
I'll see how I go getting it done at work, should be ready in a couple of weeks.
If that doesn't work out I'll give you a call.....

Colin

Too easy mate. That arrangement we had last week, sorry ,,,, I'll see if I can make it happen this week, I'll text you later about a time.

The trailer is just about finished, took it to work to do the structural welding.

It would probably have taken the Series I OK but I knew if I didn't modify it to take a LWB then at some point in the future I'd curse myself when I have a trailer at home but I had to hire one because I'd 'found' another LWB.

Anyway, needs some scraping & painting underneath but otherwise it's re-wired and ready to go. Finishing off the ramps I ran out of wire ! My welder was purchased about 25 years ago in the UK so I wondered if the wire spool size was the same.....luckily it was so Bunnings to the rescue.

DSCN4667 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

IMG_1549 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

DSCN4665 by Colin Radley, on Flickr

Got the Series I out of the shed, it was last used in November, started first time and runs as good as it did when I took it to Cooma in 2008.

Drained & re-filled the diffs and also did a coolant change.
Brake fluid was changed last year along with the engine oil.

I'll be at Corowa next weekend but the following one I'll trial load onto the trailer then I'll work out how to tie it down......


Colin