I hate grinding welds! When I was into lowriders we'd grind the welds smooth after adding the reinforcement plates to the frame. Gotta have smooth undies. Smoothing the welds took almost as long as mig-welding the plates on. The smell still lingers in my nostrils!
Fulfilling a dream
- Thread starter JedidiahStolzfus
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JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
...and it's flat.
We should be ready for the transfer and welding early next week. While driving up this morning I was doing some brainstorming to try to solve a couple of issues and I found a solution to one, power.
I don't know what the previous owners were doing for power, maybe they had a generator, I don't know. But there was a marine battery installed, and probably an inverter of some sort, running into a small breaker panel. I don't want to truck around a full size generator. They're loud, heavy and consume lots of fuel.
I have amongst my collection of machines, one with a 3.5hp Briggs flat head engine. I can cannibalize it to build something. I have a buddy looking through his collection of things for a small simple alternator. I can build a small 12VDC generator from that using a go-kart clutch on the engine. That will keep a pair of marine batteries charged, which will supply power to a large inverter.
It's lighter weight, quieter, and more fuel efficient. I could also convert that engine to run on LP. A 20lb bottle of LP will run my 10hp generator for 8 hours, so I could probably get 24 hours out of a bottle on a 3.5hp engine.
I also found that the compressor for the cooler does indeed function, we thought it was killed in crash. I just need to reconstruct the area where it's mounted. That's the worst of the damage on it.
We should be ready for the transfer and welding early next week. While driving up this morning I was doing some brainstorming to try to solve a couple of issues and I found a solution to one, power.
I don't know what the previous owners were doing for power, maybe they had a generator, I don't know. But there was a marine battery installed, and probably an inverter of some sort, running into a small breaker panel. I don't want to truck around a full size generator. They're loud, heavy and consume lots of fuel.
I have amongst my collection of machines, one with a 3.5hp Briggs flat head engine. I can cannibalize it to build something. I have a buddy looking through his collection of things for a small simple alternator. I can build a small 12VDC generator from that using a go-kart clutch on the engine. That will keep a pair of marine batteries charged, which will supply power to a large inverter.
It's lighter weight, quieter, and more fuel efficient. I could also convert that engine to run on LP. A 20lb bottle of LP will run my 10hp generator for 8 hours, so I could probably get 24 hours out of a bottle on a 3.5hp engine.
I also found that the compressor for the cooler does indeed function, we thought it was killed in crash. I just need to reconstruct the area where it's mounted. That's the worst of the damage on it.
lexfurther
Member
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- USA
Looks amazing! Good luck with the business. I am a business owner myself, just in a very different field and cycling is only my hobby.
My work is 100% remote, we are reaching our clients with the microsoft teams calling and never see them face to face, so that is a huge difference in our work.
Being my own boss and work where and when i want is probably the best thing about business ever.
My work is 100% remote, we are reaching our clients with the microsoft teams calling and never see them face to face, so that is a huge difference in our work.
Being my own boss and work where and when i want is probably the best thing about business ever.
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JedidiahStolzfus
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- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
This, is a 50kg load cell, the HX711 interface board, and 3D printed holders for the load cells. The parts just got done printing earlier this afternoon. I'm building my own scales for weighing the two 40lb LP tanks that will be mounted in the front cabinet. I know there are products out there that do this, but none of them will communicate with NodeRed. These will be connected to another ESP32 and it will show the weight of each one, as well as transmit that information to NodeRed so we can know the fuel levels without having to step outside. I already have a plan on how to build the rest of the scale, just waiting for it to get home to execute it. Programming looks like it won't be difficult.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
Not my design, but yes, I printed them. The design was already on Thingiverse.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
Anyone else here work with Raspberry Pi or Arduino type devices?
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
I have some Nanos, but I don't think I've ever used them. I really like these ESP32 kits that have the integrated OLED display. Makes it nice for sensor monitoring because you have a local display and a remote display via MQTT and NodeRed.
We were going to mate the two trailers today but we realized we had more work to do before that could happen. The "Box" has 3 drain lines, one for the bain marie, one for the fridge, and one for the grey water. All three of them once mated will need to go through the bottom trailer. Two of them protrude further than the frame of the "box" so they needed to be removed and holes cut into the donor trailer before mating. We got the valves removed, and measured where they'll be on the donor trailer. It wasn't tough cutting through the steel diamond plate of the donor trailer, but the grey water drain is also above the 3/8" steel plate we welded to attach the axle. We had nothing on hand to cut a 2 1/2" hole in that plate, so we called it quits for the day. We picked up a carbide tipped hole saw on the way home.
I did get a temporary wiring done, and we were able to test the brakes. My brake controller sees and activates them, so that's good.
While running the wiring one of the guys asked me if there's a trick for running wire through split loom tubing. I told them there isn't, but then quickly ran it through without thinking about what I was doing, and he saw that I do have a trick. It works, but only until friction causes it not too, so running long lengths doesn't work. I got to thinking and quickly designed a loom tool in my head and just got done designing it for 3D printing tonight. I'll see how it works tomorrow. With it, I should be able to quickly run a bundle of wires through the tubing. Although it might need refinement.
We were going to mate the two trailers today but we realized we had more work to do before that could happen. The "Box" has 3 drain lines, one for the bain marie, one for the fridge, and one for the grey water. All three of them once mated will need to go through the bottom trailer. Two of them protrude further than the frame of the "box" so they needed to be removed and holes cut into the donor trailer before mating. We got the valves removed, and measured where they'll be on the donor trailer. It wasn't tough cutting through the steel diamond plate of the donor trailer, but the grey water drain is also above the 3/8" steel plate we welded to attach the axle. We had nothing on hand to cut a 2 1/2" hole in that plate, so we called it quits for the day. We picked up a carbide tipped hole saw on the way home.
I did get a temporary wiring done, and we were able to test the brakes. My brake controller sees and activates them, so that's good.
While running the wiring one of the guys asked me if there's a trick for running wire through split loom tubing. I told them there isn't, but then quickly ran it through without thinking about what I was doing, and he saw that I do have a trick. It works, but only until friction causes it not too, so running long lengths doesn't work. I got to thinking and quickly designed a loom tool in my head and just got done designing it for 3D printing tonight. I'll see how it works tomorrow. With it, I should be able to quickly run a bundle of wires through the tubing. Although it might need refinement.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
Tomorrow should be the day. We finally got all the holes cut in the deck for the drain lines. We have a couple of fittings to attach in the morning and we should be able to put the two together. Hopefully our welder can show up and do his part.
I did have a chance to do some riding this evening. Did my first Craistlist deal on bike. Rode out 3 miles to meet up with a guy selling 100 USB power banks for $30. Don't know what I'm gonna use them for, but it was too good of a deal to pass up.
I did have a chance to do some riding this evening. Did my first Craistlist deal on bike. Rode out 3 miles to meet up with a guy selling 100 USB power banks for $30. Don't know what I'm gonna use them for, but it was too good of a deal to pass up.
kevinmccune
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- Region
- USA
One of my acquaintences converted a pretty good sized Airstream trailer( even pulled it with a Jeep Wagoneer)
SC00CHB00CH
Active Member
- Region
- USA
I visited Maui last year, they have full parking lots dedicated to about 20+ food trucks all over the island.
So much good food.
So much good food.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
Ya gotta start somewhere on ventures such as this. The guy that runs the commercial kitchen we just signed up for on monday started off in a similar manner. Now he runs to large trucks and the commercial kitchen. Big flavor in small trailer.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
I see that kind of like crab fishing. If a bunch of boats go and drop their pots in the same area, you're splitting the catch. There's bunches of food truck events out here, we're going to try to avoid them.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
It's dark blue, but was also formerly taxi yellow. It looks like it's had a $99.99 Maaco paint job.I was joking
. Congratulations it looks good love the black color. It's perfect it will be a successful then later you can make another one and have a fleet.
Today was a good day. The two are together, but haven't consummated the joining yet. The welder comes tomorrow.
SC00CHB00CH
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- Region
- USA
What type of menu are thinking of?
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
We have about 30 items on the menu, but can only serve about 2 or 3 at a time due to space constraints. When we get a larger vehicle, we'll be able to serve more. We'll make do in the space we have and change things out based upon the area we're going to setup.
Primarily though, it'll be wings and sausage sammiches. I have an excellent supplier for sausages, working on a supplier for wings. We have two in mind, but haven't spoken to them yet. I've been growing and canning my own peppers for buffalo sauce since 2016. I'm actually almost out of our supply right now, so we're going to buy some peppers from a local produce supplier and get a bunch canned. That's our first task in the commercial kitchen we just signed up for on monday.
The rest of the items are what could be considered comfort foods, soups, stews, and "pot pies". Since we're going to be working in the plain community a lot we're keeping the menu more "down to home" than fancy fru fru stuff.
Rexlion
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Tulsa metro
Are you going to dress appropriately and solemnly officiate at the welding ceremony?It's dark blue, but was also formerly taxi yellow. It looks like it's had a $99.99 Maaco paint job.
Today was a good day. The two are together, but haven't consummated the joining yet. The welder comes tomorrow.
"By the power vested in me (as owner), I pronounce you body and frame. What the welder hath joined together, let no man put asunder."
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
The welding ceremony wasn't without trouble. Some rust on the frame of "the box" caused some issues, but we got enough points for it to stay put. It's home now. Mollie, my Truck, pulled it home with no problems. Weight distribution seems to be ok, it had a slight sway, but I think that was just on the suspension over the 2 lane blacktops I had to drive to get home. I didn't feel it swaying the entire trailer.
Now comes the 24 points on the to do list to get completed.
Now comes the 24 points on the to do list to get completed.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
The skylight is still broken and we're supposed to get a storm with 50mph winds today. I had one of the kids help me close it up. Told him to go into the garage and grab the three sheets of bullet resistant acrylic out there and bring them out. Then he gave me that odd look and asked me why I have bullet resistant acrylic. It was a good deal I found on Craistlist, didn't know what I'd use them for but at some point, they'll come in handy. Well ,today is the day they come in handy.
I often get strange looks from them when I ask them to get me something. A couple months ago I sent one out to get a tool that's hanging next to the cannon fuse. Of course I get asked why do I have cannon fuse...
I often get strange looks from them when I ask them to get me something. A couple months ago I sent one out to get a tool that's hanging next to the cannon fuse. Of course I get asked why do I have cannon fuse...
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
All the knobs for my griddle were missing. I made this one quick and it just got done printing. It'll be going into the smoothing chamber tomorrow. It does fit, and should work well. I'll print a full set and keep an extra or so on board.
JedidiahStolzfus
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- Region
- USA
- City
- Lancaster, PA
We made some good progress over the weekend. We've kind of taken a young man in that spent time living out of his car, and is now living in a one room place in another town. I got him a job locally so he stays with us some nights out of the week so he's not burning gas driving an hour back and forth. A good guy, knows tools, is used to working with his hands and he's been helping all weekend so far.
Lastnight, before it got dark we determined that the propane cabinet that's supposed to hold 2 40lb bottles is beyond repair. There's not enough good metal there left to weld to, plus one of the corners was bent enough that it can't be easily straightened. The door attaches to it, so the door would never close properly again. At that point we decided to discard that cabinet and just mount a pair of the 100lbs bottles on a platform we'd build on the tongue.
Then I came inside got a shower and came up with a better idea. The trailer as it is now is just a little heavy on the tongue. We decided to mount the two 100lb bottles on the rear, thus shifting 360lbs to the rear instead of the front, and we'll put the generator on the tongue instead. That should offset some of the weight in the front and make it a little better balanced.
Today we cut off about 100lbs of steel that was left over from the original trailer's tongue and smoothed it out so it can be covered. While he was working on that, I dug into the compressor cabinet which is where most of the damage happened. I got the badly damaged louvered aluminum panel off and got the inside panel off as well as a badly rusted tube that forms the frame. I came up with a plan to reassemble it that should work, but there's still a lot that needs to be straightened.
Yesterday we drove upstate to picked up two 4x8x1/2" sheets of polypropylene to use as counter top. 6 hours total driving for that trip. Why go that far? The one sheet is fire resistant, and retails for $1200, the other one is just blue and retails for $680. We bought both for $145, plus a half a tank, 16 gallons, of gas. I don't know what I'm going to use the fire resistant stuff for, but at least I have it for when I need it and don't have to drive 6 hours again.
I have someone interested in buying a tool that's listed on CL for $1000, hopefully it goes through, that would go towards buying some expanded steel, a full sheet of 18gauge mild steel and some diamond plate. I haven't done metal work like this since shop class in 8th grade, hopefully I still remember some of it.
Lastnight, before it got dark we determined that the propane cabinet that's supposed to hold 2 40lb bottles is beyond repair. There's not enough good metal there left to weld to, plus one of the corners was bent enough that it can't be easily straightened. The door attaches to it, so the door would never close properly again. At that point we decided to discard that cabinet and just mount a pair of the 100lbs bottles on a platform we'd build on the tongue.
Then I came inside got a shower and came up with a better idea. The trailer as it is now is just a little heavy on the tongue. We decided to mount the two 100lb bottles on the rear, thus shifting 360lbs to the rear instead of the front, and we'll put the generator on the tongue instead. That should offset some of the weight in the front and make it a little better balanced.
Today we cut off about 100lbs of steel that was left over from the original trailer's tongue and smoothed it out so it can be covered. While he was working on that, I dug into the compressor cabinet which is where most of the damage happened. I got the badly damaged louvered aluminum panel off and got the inside panel off as well as a badly rusted tube that forms the frame. I came up with a plan to reassemble it that should work, but there's still a lot that needs to be straightened.
Yesterday we drove upstate to picked up two 4x8x1/2" sheets of polypropylene to use as counter top. 6 hours total driving for that trip. Why go that far? The one sheet is fire resistant, and retails for $1200, the other one is just blue and retails for $680. We bought both for $145, plus a half a tank, 16 gallons, of gas. I don't know what I'm going to use the fire resistant stuff for, but at least I have it for when I need it and don't have to drive 6 hours again.
I have someone interested in buying a tool that's listed on CL for $1000, hopefully it goes through, that would go towards buying some expanded steel, a full sheet of 18gauge mild steel and some diamond plate. I haven't done metal work like this since shop class in 8th grade, hopefully I still remember some of it.
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