The Tin Mule Resto

[todhunter]

Time to get back on this one .. Been going all different directions lately ..
Does this axle spindle look salvageable? Could I just do a filler weld and grind smooth ?
Someone must have really run this thing with no bearings for a good distance. I would really rather not have to buy a new axle if possible..
What do y’all think ?

It's toast.

 

[mickyryan]

replace it!

 

[archbuilder]

Hopefully the other axle works, that one is pretty toasted!

 

[sphelps]

Slowly trying to get back at it . Everything /life is always a deterrent. Lost my brother a few days before Easter to COVID . Was fine one day they think he got it from someone at work . 10 days in the hospital along with his wife who had it also ,just not as severe, and he was gone . Just like that ..
This virus is evil .. We can’t do anything but just keep on living and coping with it I guess ..
Trying to get back to normal just doing some blasting on parts and pieces to the trailer. Finally got around to putting together a HF blast cabinet I’ve had in the garage for a while . Working ok I guess after I did the gravity feed meter valve upgrade . Homemade version..Tried it out on the inside of a fender for a few minutes. I’m using the medium grit coal slag from tractor supply..
Somehow it got wet and I had to dry it out before I could try it out ..

 

[kcassells]

Geez Sam really sorry to hear about your brother. My condolences to everyone. That's a tough one. Stay strong brother.

 

[kcassells]

Geez Sam really sorry to hear about your brother. My condolences to everyone. That's a tough one. Stay strong brother.

Things here certainly are different. I think WOG has the right idea.

 

[buxmj]

So sorry for your loss Sam, such a horrible illness, hoping you and your family are coping as best as possible, take care.

 

[archbuilder]

Sorry to hear about your loss Sam. I had a friend pass away from it in Febuary. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[sphelps]

Thanks Arch , Buck .. Last year was bad enough for everyone and this year hasn’t been so great either unfortunately.. Just gunna keep moving forward ..
Put some extra light in the blast cabinet.. Much better . I think I can fit the trailer leaf springs in there . Haven’t tried yet . Seems to be taking most of the heavy rust off so far ..

 

[archbuilder]

looks like it is working well, blast cabinet is on my wish list!

 

[sphelps]

Cabinet is nice to have Arch for small stuff for sure .. So needing something to take outside to do bigger stuff I picked up one of these with some cole slag fine I think is what it is .. https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200693483_200693483
Once I got it dialed in the thing was kicking butt for a cheapie blaster ..But you know me I could screw up an anvil.. I managed to blast a hole through my gate ball valve on the nozzle . Stupid me instead of just opening up the valve wide open I had it roughly half way open .. Was working great I thought .. LOL

 

[sphelps]

Gotta go into town tomorrow . Me and the Admiral are getting our second COVID shot in the morning so I’ll pick up another valve while we are out ..

 

[sphelps]

COVID shot done . Felt a little jittery afterwards and a bit faint for an hour or so . After getting lunch in my stomach I felt much better ..
Got all the little parts blasted good enough I think . I may mix a small batch of the epoxy primer to get it covered and sealed up real quick .

 

[kcassells]

COVID shot done . Felt a little jittery afterwards and a bit faint for an hour or so . After getting lunch in my stomach I felt much better ..
Got all the little parts blasted good enough I think . I may mix a small batch of the epoxy primer to get it covered and sealed up real quick .
View attachment 339199

Good to hear Sam! Prob need a beer. Cheers!

 

[archbuilder]

Looks like the blaster is working nicely!

 

[sphelps]

Almost forgot how much fun it is to spray paint in Florida 90% humidity ...dug out the ol purple people eater from way back when and shot a sealer coat of primer on part of the main frame .
mall the small parts I had done a few days ago with just a paint brush ..I’ll be putting at least one more coat of the epoxy primer on before finish paint .. Picked up a new 10’ piece of tube steel to replace the original bent one . And add about 2 ft more tongue length .

 

[archbuilder]

Looks like you are making progress!

 

[sphelps]

Slow progress arch ...
Doing my best to weld all the parts and pieces on to the new steel tube . I don’t have a son in law that welds anymore so It’s my time to learn . Not the prettiest but strong I think .. I need to decide how I should fasten the coupler to the tube . Just bolt it or weld it or both .. Any thoughts ? I also need to weld some kinda thin metal on the fenders . That scares me .. I have 6013 and 7014 rods .. Any tips on welding I’m thinking about 16 ga flat metal ? How everyone is having a good weekend !!

 

[archbuilder]

Looks like you are moving along Sam. On the stick welding I am out. I can kind of glob stuff together, but I am best at a MIG. Very easy, you might think about picking one up if you can. A good one will do everything from 20 gauge to 3/16" I am a Lincoln guy but there are a lot of other ones out there that are cheaper that work well. You might look at Everlast, one of my friends bought a multiprocess machine and loves it. I like to stay with more traditional machines just becuase I want to make sure there are parts and consumables availble. Eastwood has their line also, and have been around since dirt. Anyhow, keep on keeping on! I think you would like the MIG, stick is great, but MIG is great on thinner things!

 

[sphelps]

Yeah a MIG is on the list for sure .
Everyone seems to say they are easier to weld with . I still want to get halfway decent at stick welding ..Quite gubbery but I don’t think the coupler is going anywhere .
I’ll hit it with the grinder and call it good .LOL !