sandbox digger

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I made this u p for the grandson.  Still has to be kid tested and seat installed.
Reply:Thats neat, the kids will love it, I know my son would.
Reply:i like it how about a seat
Reply:Interesting looking.Plate aluminum bucket instead of the 'usual' steel sheetmetal?  How are you going to hardface the bucket teeth if it's aluminum?    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:lol  (cat poo)  in the sand box, he don't need no teethLOOKS Greatidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Originally Posted by MoonRiseInteresting looking.Plate aluminum bucket instead of the 'usual' steel sheetmetal?  How are you going to hardface the bucket teeth if it's aluminum?
Reply:Nice Nice NiceDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Now that's just slick as the devil...
Reply:We need a pic of gramps demonstrating the proper use and function.
Reply:Very nice!    Lotechman- I'm guessing since there is grass in the picture this time of year, that you're here in the Lower Mainland???    If that's the case- check out this seat: http://www.princessauto.com/farm/equ...black-pan-seatIt might be a little much for a kid's toy, but it's only $39 and it will let the adults play too (I know I'd like to have a go at it).       They have stores in Coquitlam (right beside the freeway) and in Langley.Lincoln AC225 & MigPak 140, Lincoln Magnum SpoolGun, Miller Spectrum 375-X Plasma, Syncrowave 200 TIG, Millermatic 252 MIG, Miller Digital Elite, General 7x12" horiz/vert bandsaw, 3' box/pan brake, 20 ton press, milling machine, 12x28 lathe, etc.
Reply:Thanks Aqua.  That's what I am looking for.  Replaced the area around with half a yard of sand since picture.
Reply:Did you design this yourself or build it from a set of plans? Either way,talking about adult use opens up a thought...just how big is this? The pic gives no sense of scale. How about some basic measurements of the great little digger. I'm sure we all know a little tyke that would kill for such a digger.Thanks for sharing with the rest of us,it's a well executed project.
Reply:Originally Posted by mudbugoneDid you design this yourself or build it from a set of plans? Either way,talking about adult use opens up a thought...just how big is this? The pic gives no sense of scale. How about some basic measurements of the great little digger. I'm sure we all know a little tyke that would kill for such a digger.Thanks for sharing with the rest of us,it's a well executed project.
Reply:Congratulations Lotechman for making my dream your reality!I saw such a sandbox digger in a local childrens park a year ago and I took photo's of it - when I could get my 2 year old grandson off the thing... he just loved it!I thought, what a great welding project - it's the light-weight bucket that is the challenge.Attached are front, side and angle view photo's of that commerical unit - with my grandson for scale.   Cudos to you Lotechman for making it!!!Rick V Attached Images
Reply:Your Grandson is intent on digging in picture #1 ,but whoever has his hands outstretched grasping for the controls in pic #2 is eager to climb aboard for his chance at the leversLotechman you did an excellent job of replicating the factory cast bucket,they are very close. It's probably more fun building something like this for kids than building anything for grownups... the kids are so much more appreciative in a way that grabs your heart ...not your wallet.Hope everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas....I've been up most of the night with thunderstorms and tornado warnings all around...and you thought snow was a PITA.
Reply:The bucket was the most challenging.  Good excuse to get a TIG outfit.  The tube was 6 x 6 1/4 wall T6  6061 alloy so really tough material.  I had to anneal about three times to get the bend.  The vertical arms were bevelled before tacking then filled and a fillet added on the outside.  I am figuring that will be the fracture point.   Tarp covers it now.  Hoping he does not spot in yard until next morning.  "Oh look!  I wonder how that got there in my yard... Santa must have dropped it off last night."  At least that is the plan.Oh yeah, of course once I put the touch on my boss for materials word spread and I am making three.... two completed. Attached Images
Reply:You need to post a picture of the new owners reaction to his new machine sometime after Christmas... Thanks for the thread...the little guys/girls are the ones that really enjoy Christmas morning....Grownups just try to make it special for them (after we figure out how part A attaches to part B at midnight) LOL... Have a Good Christmas!
Reply:The bucket was the most challenging
Reply:Now build one with an extend-a-hoe! Very nice work. I'll have to show this one to my old boss and see what he thinks about something like this for his girls. The again they already get to "play" with his big dump truck and track hoe....No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:i think it would be cool to buy/make one and make the handles rigid,mount base to an electric wheelchair or riding mower base or back fro mower, replace bars that go to the bucket with either hydralics or some kind of mechanism that can put somer force into it, and then reinforce bucket or make a stronger one. and use it for gardening,fun, or for doing any type of shallow digging (i.e- digging sidewalks.) watch u think? and of course all the required wiring and hoses.Last edited by joshawa; 12-26-2009 at 03:55 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by joshawai think it would be cool to buy/make one and make the handles rigid,mount base to an electric wheelchair or riding mower base or back fro mower, replace bars that go to the bucket with either hydralics .
Reply:That grin was worth the effort wasn't it!
Reply:that is cool. where did you get the plans. i would love to do that for my kidsIf you like my stuff you can find me on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/theangryanv...ngryanvilforge
Reply:Since I have made 2 of the set of four I have some rough sketches.  If anyone wants pm me and I will photograph and send pics of my doodles with dimensions.
Reply:looks like your grandson has real love for the digging ..... !!! however a greaaat work indeed .....!!!you have made a wonderful thing ...  steel bar steel supplierSometimes Ebay has trashed out toy tractors listed, they sell for parts or restoration."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Oooops...........for the seat, forgot to include it above"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:was anyone able to get a copy of these plans i would really like to make one of these diggers for my kids
Reply:was anyone able to get a copy of these plans i would really like to make one of these diggers for my kids
Reply:Originally Posted by goda0301was anyone able to get a copy of these plans i would really like to make one of these diggers for my kids
Reply:I really like the model lowtechman built and think it's a better built unit than this...http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...issearch=45301This might be a good pattern for anyone that is having trouble grasping the concept... Hard to complain about $20 for a pattern,especially when it comes with the metal parts too.From viewing the other 4 images of it, I'm pretty sure you'll get welding time in repairing the little bugger, but the seat and the bucket are worth the $20Last edited by mudbugone; 03-26-2010 at 09:40 PM.
Reply:Heres a couple I built for my grandchildren, they have been using them for a year, they can load the wagon & move them anywhere,the bucket curls up coming in & dumps going out, we have a large sand pile in the yard & they keep busy for hours, I evan have some time on them(just trying for safety.) Attached Images