Sandbox Digger

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Haven't posted around here for awhile so I thought I would post up what "Santa" built for my youngest son Hudson;Started out as some scrap metal, wheel, old bicycle and an exercise machine;Making the bucket, I just traced a coffee can then drew in the face of the bucket with a straight edge (used diamond plate for a more industrial look);Some old flatbar for the back of the bucket;Bucket welded up;Bike forks cut down, angle iron welded on to mount bolt to wheel (I had to gusset the angle iron later to strengthen), and a piece of the exercise bike welded on to use as the booms base / hand controls; More exercise machine parts for the boom. I ended up shortening it because the buckets leverage out on the end made it seem really heavy to pull with the levers;Making progress;How I decided to build my levers, they are on a separate pivot from the boom.  Not really necessary but using the exercise bikes levers made it look nicer and gives a little more leverage;
Reply:One of the main things that bugs me about most basic digger designs is the lever that runs the bucket is backwards of how most equipment actually runs.  This is designed so pulling on the lever brings the bucket towards you.I made a seat out of an old 2x4, found some rubber chair leg caps at Walmart to cap off the lever handles and a friend of mine has a vinyl cutter so he helped make some little Caterpillar decals.  I also spent a lot of time capping off any spot a wasp might try to make a nest, we have real problem with yellow jackets and the kids' toys during the summer.Here is Hudson on Christmas morning giving it a test run;Then promptly outside to get to work;
Reply:Thats cool. Bet he loves it!!!!
Reply:That's awesome! Way to recycle. I bet the digger will be used a 1000 times more than the exercise machine ever was.  Is it bolted down? Or does the wheel have enough mass to keep it upright?
Reply:So far the wheel has been enough. I buried it a little since he was a little too short to put his legs down and that seems to be ok.  I wasn't sure how well that part was going to work, that's why I made it only bolt to the wheel.  I might have to change it to something with a wider base later (pipe in an + shape or something.
Reply:thats awesome! nice job!
Reply:So clever, creative and what great present!*applause*
Reply:I like your boom design better than the one Lotechman built here. The CAT logos are a nice touch.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=36735.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:Thanks for all the compliments.  If I were to build one from scratch I'm sure it would of come out much different, re-using these parts kind of molded the projects direction.
Reply:The horizontal pivot seemed to work out nice too using the bike forks.  I'm not sure how they will hold up, but it sure makes it tight and smooth.  Here is a short video of Hudson spinning around in circles on it;
Reply:great use of scrap parts VERY COOL
Reply:Nice work Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HDMiller 250 bobcat Miller super 32pEsab PCM 875
Reply:Thanks for posting!! Awesome job!! Like to see things reused!!Miller 250DX HTP 221 DV AC/DCHenrob O-A Miller 180 MigMiller 150 Inverter   Hobart 10,000 Welder-Generator   Have a good day!!!
Reply:Good job. I too like the reuse concept.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Thats pretty cool..  bet he loved that.tackleexperts.comwww.necessityjigs.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/mach...dingequipment/
Reply:That looks great!JackFort Loramie, OhioMilermatic Autoset 180
Reply:Very nice design; great toy that will actually exercise the user.....good job.
Reply:Now ya went and did it..Before you know it he will be in one of these..Nice job!...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Nice job, your son and his son will get many years of play.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Reply:coronet440It's Christmas, your consideration is everything:great design / engineering,diamond / deck plate  -  nice accent,Cat Yellow and Cat Badges, the real-deal, and great use of salvaged materials, to say nothing, of your time, thoughtfulness, and craftsmanship.This is an age appropriate, hand-eye coordination toy, and may prove to be the envy of Hudson's neighborhood peers.Thank-You for not gifting, or celebrating an Assault Weapon.OpusLast edited by OPUS FERRO; 12-28-2012 at 01:29 AM.Reason: punc.
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERROcoronet440It's Christmas, your consideration is everything:great design / engineering,diamond / deck plate  -  nice accent,Cat Yellow and Cat Badges, the real-deal, and great use of salvaged materials, to say nothing, of your time, thoughtfulness, and craftsmanship.This is an age appropriate, hand-eye coordination toy, and may prove to be the envy of Hudson's neighborhood peers.Thank-You for not gifting or celebrating Assault Weapons.Opus
Reply:Originally Posted by coronet440lol, thanks but Hudson also got a John Wayne lever action toy rifle and his older brother a .22 bolt action "chipmunk" rifle for xmas   We are a family of hunters/outdoors-men though and have the utmost respect for firearms and their use.
Reply:coronet440I started duck hunting when I was 3 yrs. old.  At 4 yrs. my job was to buss the casings, in three blinds,because I was more cogent in the blind and on the water, than the hunters my father guided.Fresh spent 6's are still my favorite smell.Please don't mix appreciation for hunting fire-arms, with martial death tools.OpusLast edited by OPUS FERRO; 12-28-2012 at 02:00 AM.
Reply:And please don't confuse 'assault weapons' with anything that is legally sold in the US . . . -Tim
Reply:Forhire, your comment made me laugh so hard.  I don't think I have ever read a more true statement in my entire life!!!   what a great recycle project with an "exercise" machine!  LMBO!Awesome!Do you have any current pics?It should be time to rebuild the bucket and add some hardfacing! lolhttp://www.facebook.com/Knappmobilewelding
Reply:Originally Posted by coronet440Haven't posted around here for awhile so I thought I would post up what "Santa" built for my youngest son Hudson;Started out as some scrap metal, wheel, old bicycle and an exercise machine;Making the bucket, I just traced a coffee can then drew in the face of the bucket with a straight edge (used diamond plate for a more industrial look);Some old flatbar for the back of the bucket;Bucket welded up;Bike forks cut down, angle iron welded on to mount bolt to wheel (I had to gusset the angle iron later to strengthen), and a piece of the exercise bike welded on to use as the booms base / hand controls; More exercise machine parts for the boom. I ended up shortening it because the buckets leverage out on the end made it seem really heavy to pull with the levers;Making progress;How I decided to build my levers, they are on a separate pivot from the boom.  Not really necessary but using the exercise bikes levers made it look nicer and gives a little more leverage;
Reply:Looks cool, might have to do a little buildup and hardface on that bucket!