07-Apr-2015
Bending the 1/4" aluminum
Using my friends flywheel brake, the bends in my skid plate went very easy.
07-Apr-2015
My friend Marteen operating his brake
With the help of a friend and his metal shop I was able to bend the 1/4" 6061 aluminum for my skid plate.
07-Apr-2015
The right equipment
Using the right equipment makes some processes very easy. This flywheel brake made bending my skid plate so easy that it only took us a few minutes to make the four bends.
07-Apr-2015
Skid plate bending complete
The four bends that I needed in my skid plate are now complete and ready to install.
09-Apr-2015
Getting ready to weld in the mounting tabs
The aluminum plate turned out great and fits even better. With the clamps in place I will tack in the mounts.
09-Apr-2015
Welding mounting tabs
I cut some 1/4" flatbar then welded some 3/8" lock nuts to flatbar. I used to C clamps to help suck down the aluminum to the main support frame.
09-Apr-2015
Tabs all welded in
I used some 3/8" hardware to hold the tabs in place
10-Apr-2015
Countersinking the holes
After fitting all of the mounting tabs I took out all of the temp bolts and countersunk all of the holes to accecpt the flathead bolts.
10-Apr-2015
Flatheads
Holes are all countersunk. Working with aluminum sure is a lot easier that working with steel.
10-Apr-2015
Countersinking all mounting holes
I countersunk all of the mounting holes so that I can use 3/8" flat head Allen bolts.
10-Apr-2015
All the mounting holes complete
The hardened 3/8" flathead bolts should make the mounting of the skid plate very strong and make the framework and plate a complete solid unit.
10-Apr-2015
Front tube mount
The support tube for the skid plate bolts to the frame and to the horizontal tubes that come from the main support tube.