Wheel spacers for Bobcat M-371

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Ok, so not really a welding project unless I weld the center caps in (still deciding on that).My bobcat has 7/16" lug bolts that are getting kind of iffy.  It's also very narrow.  I'm going to kill two birds with one stone here.  These wheel spacers will both convert to 1/2" lug bolts and give me another 1-1/2" of width.  I'll be just shy of 36".  I'm currently at 34-1/2" wide.  I figure the little extra width will make it slightly more stable, allow it to turn a bit easier, and let me keep my new tires while staying under 36".  My other option was to buy the wider wheels and tires, but that would make me 42" wide and that's more than I want.  Both in $$$ and in width.Here's the pics so far.  I'll add more as I get them painted and installed. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:More pics... Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:When I read the thread title, I thought it sounded like something you would do.  Looked at the thread and I was right.  Nice job.  How long did they take to do?The Lord has declared, "This is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man"  Moses 1:39Link: My name is John, and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.-- ColdCreekWorks.com --
Reply:Originally Posted by jdh239 How long did they take to do?
Reply:im going to ask something  stupid, what method did you use to do that without a rotary table?
Reply:My DRO has a hole pattern function.  Major time saver.  For this set up I just put in a 15 hole pattern on 4.5" centers.  I pilot drilled all 15 holes and then just skipped around for the rest of the drilling.  This made sure that the 3 different patterns were all equally spaced.My name's not Jim....
Reply:Very nice work!
Reply:Soft plug center caps...Now I guess it's a welding project. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:just a question why tap the holes instead of just putting studs IN?  seems like pressed in studs would have been much more reliable over the long haul.    i always hate threading steel into aluminum when theres an alternative.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:If I use studs, the cones won't seat correctly.  There isn't much meat around the holes in the wheels.  Since I'm wanting to change from 7/16" to 1/2", that becomes even more of a problem.  Sticking with 7/16" studs or lug bolts was going to be more expensive than going to 1/2".   It will make more sense when I post installation pics.  The spacers aren't aluminum.  They're steel.My name's not Jim....
Reply:ah gotcha.  threaded steel should be much better.    thought they were aluminumVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Mahinist handbook has a jig boring section. Makes it very easy to calc. dimension of each hole based on radius (in case anyone didnt know) then you just pickup the center and dial to each hole. Did you hand tap all those?! Id have just power tapped them Nice work manHTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:Originally Posted by fordmanDid you hand tap all those?! Id have just power tapped them
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmYes, I hand tapped them using the mill to locate and keep the tap straight.  It really wasn't too bad.  I used the right size holes and brand new quality taps.  I was able to tap the holes in one shot without having to back out to clear chips.  It was so easy it was almost enjoyable.  Each hole maybe took a minute or so to tap.Last time I power tapped it didn't go so well....  I decided not to risk it.
Reply:Got 'em blasted and painted.  Working on installing them now.  Figured I'd post pics of the first one.I removed the wheel, drilled and tapped the axle flanges, installed the spacers, then bolted the wheel back on using the original lug bolts for now.  I will upgrade to 1/2" lug bolts later.  First I have to buy and shorten them though. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Boostinjdm, why did you drill and tap a second set of holes?  Am I really seeing 15 holes? I've been wondering this from the go and now that I see everything installed I'm more confused than ever. Is the second set a different bolt pattern or a backup set?
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmMy bobcat has 7/16" lug bolts that are getting kind of iffy.  It's also very narrow.  I'm going to kill two birds with one stone here.  These wheel spacers will both convert to 1/2" lug bolts and give me another 1-1/2" of width.
Reply:Yup DSW got it.  Those 7/16" lug bolts bother me, but they're all I got at the moment.  The threads are iffy and the heads are really small.  The extra set of holes is just me planning ahead.  Here is a bad pic comparing the two sizes. Attached ImagesMy name's not Jim....
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmYup DSW got it.  Those 7/16" lug bolts bother me, but they're all I got at the moment.  The threads are iffy and the heads are really small.  The extra set of holes is just me planning ahead.  Here is a bad pic comparing the two sizes.