Cole's Mini + 6" HD

[Cole]

Good Morning, Afternoon or Evening Crew,

Well I have finally started and first wanted to thank everyone for the knowledge and support just getting going. Thanks Frank, MP4, Heatermeter Builder, Weldun and Elmacho's and his Mini Hat Trick! And all the posts, I believe I have looked at every post in GF plus many others on welding and such, so thanks to all.

What I am building is a Mini + 6" HD (Heavy Duty).
- Adding 6 inches to heigth
- To help offset sheet steel warping I am using 14 ga sheeting
- I Am using 1/4 plates for leg supports and slam latch backing.
- Legs are 8 inches likely add a shelf
- And I started a post (need to add to it this week) on cost, one thing I did was reach out to a fabricator that uses 1 1/2" tube weekly and I could get some of their off falls. The change is all the tubing is 11 ga., So a little thicker than 16 ga.! Still don't have the cost but I have the steel.
- To help with the added weight I will be adding gussets to the legs and welding the plates to the frame like Elmacho just detailed in great detail.

I did pick up a new tool - Jegs 180c 220V MIG welder, currently just flux welding.

I also found a flux tip which really helps with weld visibility when flux welding.

I also had a setback - broke my leg three weeks ago but I can weld with my walking boot, but after a small fire I added some additional protection!!

Attached below are some pictures of the firebox and over the next week I should begin building the main body.

Thanks and talk soon! Cole

[Dirtytires]

Bummer on the leg. Be super careful....

[Big T]

[Weldun]

I would suggest before you commit on finished height take your framework and set it on something that mimics your leg/caster height and see how you like it. I did this and was glad I did, I ended up with longer legs and no regrets. Looking good so far bud, keep at it!

[Heatermeter builder]

I would suggest before you commit on finished height take your framework and set it on something that mimics your leg/caster height and see how you like it. I did this and was glad I did, I ended up with longer legs and no regrets. Looking good so far bud, keep at it!

Yeah, I new i wanted mine higher so that i could add a rack below and since im over 6 feet tall, so doubled the height from 4 to 8 inches.

[ajfoxy]

Looking good. Careful about setting the broken leg on fire. Bugger to have to smack it with something to put the fire out and break it again.

[Cole]

Thanks! I used a tape measure to estimate overall height, adding everything up it:
38" tall body
8" Legs
2 @ 1/4" plates
1/8" for sheeting
7 1/2" for wheels
54 1/8" to the top.

Also. I am going from 5" to 7" rack spacing and adding another set of rack guides between them, likely will build another shelf or two.

Best Regards, Cole

[Cole]

Got the firebox welded up ,need to do some grinding where it will nest with the frame. Go about 5 inches of snow over the last day, help cool everything down.

Now I am stuff'n tubes and starting to tack the frame together.

[Big T]

Nice

[Weldun]

Looks great! I can relate to the snow, we got 12" yesterday.

[Dirtytires]

What is that white stuff? I’m hanging poolside with a corona!

[ajfoxy]

Dirtytires said:

What is that white stuff? I’m hanging poolside with a corona!

Yep closing 35C here in Queensland. Only moisture is what is dripping down my forehead... almost "beer O clock"...

[Cole]

Dirtytires said:

What is that white stuff? I’m hanging poolside with a corona!

Yep closing 35C here in Queensland. Only moisture is what is dripping down my forehead... almost "beer O clock"...

I am in for a pub walk in the Lake District!

[Cole]

Got the frame tacked together and then slid (not really the thing does not slide) the firebox in.

[Big T]

[Rodcrafter]

Heck yeah, but it looks cold


Making memories!

[Cole]

I am working on the bottom sheet metal, legs and supports, need to get the wheels on as it's getting heavy for someone with a broken leg!

I am welding 1/4" thick plates to all four corners then using the sheet metal cutouts placed behind the 4 corner plates as backing support for the sheet metal, this is like what Elmacho visually articulated in his Mini Hat Trick build. See Pictures Below.

Sheet metal bottom with corners removed:

Sheet metal corners tacked in behind plates:

Sheet metal bottom placed in position, not welded yet - still learning!

[Big T]

[ajfoxy]

That's the way I did my DP as well and the way I'll do my two mini's when I get back to them.

[Dirtytires]

I see the purpose but it seems like a lot of measuring, cutting, fitting and welding. Besides cost of material, why not just use 0.25 for the entire bottom and skip all the work?

I’m willing to bet the extra cost of material covers the time investment. I do do realize that not everybody has extra material laying around....I’m just asking the question as this is the second time this has been done as of late. I’ve not built a mini.

[Cole]

I see the purpose but it seems like a lot of measuring, cutting, fitting and welding. Besides cost of material, why not just use 0.25 for the entire bottom and skip all the work?

I’m willing to bet the extra cost of material covers the time investment. I do do realize that not everybody has extra material laying around....I’m just asking the question as this is the second time this has been done as of late. I’ve not built a mini.

Yea, maybe, I've even wondered if you should run the vertical uprights another 4 to 8 inches and weld the wheel mounting plate to the bottom, then cap the bottom with sheeting.

I cut the base sheet metal, then traced the outline of the plates on each corner and then cut them out, not hard. There is a lot of cutting on the Mini.

[Cole]

Good Day Everyone,

Making progress, got the legs on and wheels along with the bottom plate, I added some gussets to the legs due to the extra weight. Remember I am using 11 ga tubing and 14 ga sheeting.

Plus my dog enjoying the sun! posting.php?mode=reply&f=149&t=6392#

[Cole]

Good Day to All,

Been working slowly on the Mini, got the firebox in and tubing around it tacked in, sheeting installed - bottom CC, left CC, back CC and the left side just got tacked in last night. Rach guides are in on the left, tacked in, plenty of welding to do - my son is helping so I make sure there is always something for him to weld. I also had a slight issue with sheet metal bow or crown, was crowned to the inside of the CC by 3/16", I used a bottle jack from my truck, to hold the rack guides in place and after a couple guides got welded in the metal was nice and straight!

[Rodcrafter]

[Dirtytires]

Keep it going....great family project.