4-H leader needs ideas

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I have been reading your forum for a few days now, but most of the ideas are quite advanced for kids.    I have some 12-14 year old boys who are just learning to weld and we need project ideas.   They have tried the hitch pin, boot scraper & very basic welding table - now what?   Photos or plans & links would be most helpful.   I have tried search engines without much luck.  Thanks in advance.
Reply:acr welded projects from the james f. lincoln foundation www.lincolnelectric.comdawg
Reply:A pipe whistle. Cut a window in the side, weld in fipple. weld mouthpiece. weld cap over end or leave open. Experiment. Corner fixtures. Start with two steel C-clamps. cut and weld to a frame for clamping up corners. The challenge here is getting it square without machining. Picture frames. Lots of opportunities for decoritive work here.Lift accessory for a 3-point hitch (REAL handy on the tractor. Frame holds chain-hook, three point hydraulics lift.)Want more?
Reply:The 3-point hitch sounds interesting - have instructions?   We really like "farmer friendly" ideas and practical projects.
Reply:Here are 2 books with projects that were submitted to the Lincoln Welding Foundation School Shop Award program.  These projects are submit by students and are at all levels of expertise.  Well worth the money,  if cash is short and you need help, say the word and I'll pay for these books and the Teachers Book to boot.  You've hit a soft spot with me, as a kid growing up it was the 4-H programs and info that allowed a geeky kid the chance to learn about electricity & electronics.  That organization kept me from going off the deep end.  Any time I can return the favor I'll do it.  Thanks for taking the time to start a new generation on the most full filing career a person could have! IMHO https://ssl.lincolnelectric.com/foun...?prodnum=AP-IIhttps://ssl.lincolnelectric.com/foun...prodnum=AP-IIIhttps://ssl.lincolnelectric.com/foundation/Last edited by Paychk; 05-28-2004 at 01:23 PM.
Reply:Instructions.... Depends so much on available material and what the needs are. The general configuration might be 4X4X1/4 box tube( steel), for an upright and a short boom, a  chain cleat mounted on the boom end  for a lift chain. The upper pin point from two pieces of angle welded onto the box with a little reinforcement. Another piece of box between the lower (lift) arms does it, either with a rod run through and stitched at the ends to act as lift pins, or pins welded to end caps, or any other appropriate end treatment. Lighter box would be ok, depending on loading. You MUST be careful about checking the balance when lifting, as it is REAL easy overload the hitch and rolll the machine back. Once it starts, the load moves out and pulls harder.I did one using primarily 4X4X1/4 angle. Welded actual pins into the corner of the angle on the crossarm. Top arm wasn't real rigid, but was good enough. Slotted it for the chain. Worked well enough for the job, gave about 1 foot of lift to move some motors (wouldn't want more--- them 3-points can turtle you in an instant if you don't plan weight balance) using solely the 3-point hydraulics. Finished the job, the lift material went on to it's next use. Easy enough to put together I didn't mid cutting it up rather than find storage space. Also, for most things lifted this way, you will need to chain them in to prevent swinging before moving.Calculations: A short form of the calculations needed for deflection and strength of the gallows-frame configuration is: http://www.weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread...hlight=bendingA factor of safety if at least 5 to 8 should be designed into a rig like this. An important part of using something like this as a project is teaching the kids HOW to calculate loading, stress, safe design parameters, load balance in use, etc. Machinery's has the formulas for practical use, and just using these is a great start. The theory can wait for the interested ones when they have the math.
Reply:Another project: utility trailer and hitch rig for a tractor. The utility hitch on our tractor required bolting to the bottom of the frame members into factory holes, with a  kick before the receiver tube to clear the three point. Welding, cutting, precision measurment and drilling (ok, not precision, but needing great care) Worked from the drawings in the manual for the tractor, fit right the first try.Maybe a welding trailer to pull behind this? (tank rack for torch tanks, lockable torch box, lockable consumable and utility storage, enough platform for a generator or welding machine, or both, several fire extinguishers)
Reply:My older son has done some bigger projects.   He is 16 and does almost all of the welding on the farm - Dad passed the job on since son is better!!    Some of the projects he has done:  baskets to carry stuff on the 4 wheeler, trailer to haul portable cattle panels, trimming chute for getting his cattle ready to show, tool rack to hang forks, shovels and other show equipment  plus many more projects.   Our youngest, 13, does not have as much interest but wants to learn.   He has only made a hitch pin, boot scraper and small welding table.   We need to get him going on something more - yet useful.   It is difficult to think of projects they can make but that will be able to travel to the fair for judging.    I sure appreciate the help we are getting and look forward to more ideas.
Reply:Rockeman I was wondering if you could get a picture of that basket for the fourwheeler?
Reply:i rack to hang 3 point attachments on so it is easier for 1 person to attach and unattach to tractor...just make a rack to hold post hole drill , blade,forks,hay spear,bucket,tiller....cleans up the building and makes life easier....this way everything is up against to wall out of the way ....when needed just back up ...hitch it ....pick it up and go.
Reply:Here is the basket that is attached with U bolts to the front of our Honda 4-wheeler.  (see the variety of interests in our family - baseballs bat and hammers!!) Attached Images
Reply:Thanks Rockeman I am looking at making one soon I have a 99 Honda Recon nice machine. One more thing how did you attach it to the rack?
Reply:We used U bolts.    Our machine is a Hondo Rancher.
Reply:Rockeman, where in ND are you from?  The basic projects are ok for beginners, but whenever I would go to the state fair I would see everyone takes the same project, like clubs in other counties kinda forces the kids to do the same project.  In my county everyone would do their own thing.  If people were looking for something to do, the club would find something they could build for livestock.  Panels to seperate cattle, fan stands, clipping chutes for cattle and stands for sheep if you got them, heck even a wheel barrel.  But like I said, we always made our own things, go-karts, trailers, etc.
Reply:HI,I am from Donnybrook, ND (NW of Minot). I am in full agreement with you.    I prefer when kids do their own thing.   I don't like to see 15 of the same thing - and I know the judges don't either!Our club rarely does a club project and when we have only a few end up going to be judged.   I guess we are a bunch of individuals!!WHere are you from?    Do you have any ideas for the kids?Thanks for writing.Annette
Reply:Well off the top of my head, everything that was suggested to me when I was in 4-h:Firewood rack (For stacking firewood in)Hand truck (dolly)Tool stand (for pitch forks, shovels, etc.)Coat racks (suggested to use horse shoes)Roping dummiessaddle racks
Reply:Some fun things that I can remember making were: Basketball rim, oil funnel(grandpa still uses it to this day), hose and extension cord reels out of old rims and wire spools, drink holders for the pickkups and tractors, and a few other items from around the house.  I can't think of anymore offhand, but they will come to me later.Common sense in an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom.
Reply:I don't know your age - but many of these are still being done!!  (perhaps it is the second generation!)   Our 13 year old made the coat rack last year and because we have a western/cowboy decor he used horseshoes.   We also welded two horseshoes together to hang the rod for curtains and as tiebacks for the curtains (not a 4-H project - just an idea).   Our oldest made the tool stand a few years ago too using horseshoes.   I like the firewood rack.   I don't think I have seen one of them at the fair for a long time.I appreciate the input from you and the others.
Reply:Rockeman,Show us some pictures of the coat rack and cutain rods.Antibling,I would like to see some pictures of your project suggestions too.
Reply:If you are looking for a club project how about a hay rack.  If you dont have the cash for materials.  You might be able to get a farmer to pony up the cash for the materials and when it is done he owns it.Other than purchasing spindles, hubs, wheels and tires the whole rack could be made from A36 hot rolled and A500 tubing.  I would be a good way of teaching the kids some mechanical basics.Good luckRon ShopFloorTalk Millermatic 350P, M-25, M-40 gunsDynasty 300DX, Coolmate 3, Crafter CS-310 TorchTrailblazer 302, 12RC, WC-2430A spoolgunSpectrum 2050Thermal Arc Plasma Welder PS-3000/WC-100B
Reply:Send 'em to the scrap,uh, SUPPLY pile, and tell them the assignment is a new mail box post or holder.
Reply:Originally posted by Shade Tree Welder If you are looking for a club project how about a hay rack.  If you dont have the cash for materials.  You might be able to get a farmer to pony up the cash for the materials and when it is done he owns it.Other than purchasing spindles, hubs, wheels and tires the whole rack could be made from A36 hot rolled and A500 tubing.  I would be a good way of teaching the kids some mechanical basics.Good luck
Reply:They might try some of these yard guard birds. They can be made for very little costs using old shovel, rake, guard from cutter on combine, 4' 7/16 rebar, couple bolts and washers, pitchfork, and what ever else a person wants to use depending on their own taste. Cany be followed up by however the person wants them painted.       Attached Images
Reply:Make a bench out of rerod an uses shoes Attached Images
Reply:Sorry about the wrong picture.  Search for a thread called horseshoes for the bench picture.I have seen some very imaginative yard animals lately made from horseshoes, bicycle frames and handlebars,  shovel and plow blades, springtooth parts, and the like.  some are really quite nice , one was a crane with some cattails and a lily pad leaf, looked like it should be in a  museum. others were a cowboy with lasso, a wolf, a mountain lionalso - there are the many things you can make from welded chain of various sizes like yard people for plant holders, man holding up your mailbox, signs in script, ( favorite horse or whatever, family name, various signs for supplies and rooms in the barn, etc.) hangers for all kinds of indoor and outdoor things (like a boot tree to dry out boots by holding them upside down) . these are challenging in both the imagination stage and in the welding stage because you learn how to use clamps and forms, what strength the welds have, how to place the bead where it will show the least or not rub against anything, etc.
Reply:Quote:  Show us some pictures of the coat rack and cutain rods.Here is a photo of the curtain tie back: Attached Images
Reply:Quote: Show us some pictures of the coat rack and cutain rods.here is a photo of the rod holder (basically, it is 2 horseshoes welded perpendicular) Attached Images
Reply:Quote: Show us some pictures of the coat rack and cutain rods.Here is a photo of the coat rack (I will also send a close up of the top).    We put 2 horseshoes on the bottom for backbacks or caps or whatever else seems to end up on it!! Attached Images
Reply:Quote: Show us some pictures of the coat rack and cutain rods.  Here is a photo of the top of the coat tree to give you some idea how my then 12 year old son attached the horseshoes (we have seen various ways of doing this so, obviously, you can use your imagination) Attached Images
Reply:I bought my first welder two years ago (hobart-135) and taught myself from the begining. The day after I bought the welder I started my first deer stand. It is a farily basic project but not to simple either. The stands I build are a  pole stand that attaches to the tree. I chose the pole stand because that is 14 feet less material to buy and hual around.   -or-Foldable carts (like the ones in Cabelas) for deer or whatever.