Backyard Engineering - What did you fabricate or create???..........Thread.

[John Johnson]

Absolutely nothing. He just hangs out with the rest of my creations. Snails, turtles, frogs, owls and now a crab.

You should either widen his claws or put spring hinges on there so he can hold a wine/liquor bottle or some beer cans.

[ahhudgins]

Absolutely nothing. He just hangs out with the rest of my creations. Snails, turtles, frogs, owls and now a crab.

What, no squirrels? My wife says I'm a little nutty. Pun intended. I'm guessing you are doing most of it for fun but I'm sure there is a market for these creations.

[lakedrum03]

Thinking out loud here.

The costs replacement of the reliable surge brake actuator appears to be going up and up to he tune of about $800. Speaking with a member over last weekend, it got me thinking.

Why not buy a weld-on replacement (example: https://www.etrailer.com/p-DX63FR.html)




and then a piece of steel plate (example: https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-pr...1?product=2681)

(imagine photo of steel plate)

and weld it together yourself.

I figure you would have about $325 in the actuator, plus about $50 in plate and a few bucks in paint for a total of $400 if you did it yourself.

Can anyone think of a reason why this wouldn't work?

[John Johnson]

If I'm not mistaken someone did this on here within the past couple of years.

[lakedrum03]

Started a paver patio project yesterday. The photo is after running a plate compactor over 304 limestone (similar to ABC limestone). A little bit of water and it basically turns into concrete.