Worths Idiot Grill.

[worth1]

Sorry but some of this is just tedious.
Offset drilled the hole one of the lifting cables goes through.
Then filed the sharp corner off the back side.
Did this like you would a guitar string so it doesn't cut the cables.
A little over the top but I like it.
The side will have a set screw to keep the cable in place.
I'm only out 3 1/4 inches or so from where the cable will stop winding.
Hope it's enough the math says so.

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[worth1]

Finally got a bottle of argon today.
Back in business.
The guy saved it for me.
What's up with all this TIG welding?
When I first started out not many people did it.

[worth1]

Maybe I'll get some work done on it this weekend.

[worth1]

Aye captain there be whales on board the Enterprise.
In this case the grill on board the stand.
Finish welding to some degree and launched the grill from her slips to much fanfare.
Took some thinking and used the old laws of physics.
The inclined plain gravity and leverage.
Give me a long enough lever a fulcrum and I can move the grill.
Thank you Mr Newton.
At no time did I put anymore force on my body than about 20 pounds.
This is a banner moment for me.
She is out in the bay for final fitting and grill trials.

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[worth1]

While moving it about in the harbor the super structure fell into the hold and ended up in the bottom all at an angle and locked up.
And capsized.
After a little work the crew was able to get everything in line to bring it back on an even keel.
The only damage was the main mast broke away from its tack welds.
Something I was going to have to do anyway because in my haste I put it on 90 degrees out.
I planned on bolting the grill to the frame but hadn't done it yet and forgot to c clamp it on.
No big deal with the levers.
But it was rather exasperating.
Didn't say one cuss word during the whole event.

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[Amateurinawe]

still looking good! Would be happy to shout for half a steer on that grill

[PhilaGardener]

Glad it fell away from you

[worth1]

Friends it happened so fast I blinked my eye and there it was.
Got really lucky.
And lesson learned.
If it had fell into the hold the other way the mast might have killed me as it hit my head.
I kept telling myself to secure it but didn't.
What an idiot move on my part.
I'm smart but also at times really stupid.
This was one of those stupid times.
So much so I decided to stop all farther process and reflect on the stupidity of my idiot actions with a strong drink and a movie.
I took so much time to be careful in the process of getting the grill on the stand safely, then to do a stupid move like this really gets my goat.
Totally ashamed of myself but not so proud I can't share the stupid mistake with others.

[worth1]

Pride cometh before the fall.

[bower]

I hear you with the stop and reflect moment. Been there and done that, many times!
Looks great though, and very, very glad you didn't get hurt!!

[worth1]

I thought the weather was going to be nice today.
It keeps deteriorating as the day goes by.
Standing on wet concrete and welding on wet steel isn't cool.
You end up getting shocked if you're not careful and keep the ground between you and the work.
And it needs to be a good one too.
My welder has a high frequency arc starter on it.
Think Tesla Tower.
Spent some time sweeping leaves and gathering up stuff.
Grill now up snug with the garage so I don't have to roll the welder outside.
All metal picked up and on the rack off the ground.
Lots of junk to move around.

[worth1]

Alright men we're working inside today the weather is miserable.
But boss I thought you said we had the day off?
I changed my mind.
Worth you're on the drill press.
Okay boss.
Now worth you're on the engine lathe.
You said I was on the drill press.
I did, you're working both..
After that you're going outside for final fitting before welding.
But you said we're working inside.
I did but I changed my mind.
I want a raise.
You not going to get one I gave one to Sydney last week
Why him he's always late and never does anything?
I know but I'm married to his sister and she's always complaining about how he needs a job and money.
Now get out there and get some work done.
After that give yourself an extra ration of bourbon.
I thought that was grog?
You're not in England you're in Texas we drink bourbon not grog.
Now get out there and get to work.
Yes boss.

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[worth1]

When I was 15 years old my dad had a heart attack.
One of several.
My brothers were all gone my sister gone and it left me by myself to take care of the farm and the 100 head of cattle we had..
My mom kept the house going.
My dad was bed ridden due to the illness.
I had to learn how to do work on my own after school.
I learned how to take off a tractor rim and put it on the back of a flat bed truck by myself..
I'm not a big person only 5.7 or 5.6 feet tall.
But really strong for my size.
This continued until I graduated from school and managed to get my father out of a mountain of debt and own another place more fit for him.
Not bragging but just explaining why I am able to do things on my own.
I simply had to there was no other choice.
When I left home and joined the Marines my father died from yet another heart attack when I was just one week from graduating.
This left my mother destitute with no money coming in.
They the US government wanted the last social security check back that was sent to my father.
Only because of the date he passed away.
My mom spent her whole life taking care of me and my siblings only to have this crap happen to her.
I am here now dedicating this grill to my parents who made me the person I am today.
Thanks mom and pops for all that you did for me.
I called my dad Pops and he called me his little hippie.
.

[worth1]

Got home did a little welding.
And went inside.
Not much but progress.
I honestly wish I could weld more often so I could get better at it.
Just like piano lessons.
Ya gotta keep doing it or you have to start over.
Especially TIG welding.
Requirs the most skill.
About the time I get this stuff figured out I'm through for the day.
There really is a lot going on at one time.
Think trap set on drums.
I'm a much better stick welder but haven't done it in years..
I was the best in my welding class.

[worth1]

Working late hours and the weather has put a halt to the project.
Been watching welding tips and tricks on YouTube.
The guy is the best.
It also lets me know about the bad habits I have been doing and how to stop them.
Stuff I know but needed reminding.
Also refreshing up on welding rods for arc welding.
There are so many to pick from.

[worth1]

Started back to work on the grill today.
Did some measurements and turned the other end of the shaft out on the lathe to fit the bushings I installed.
Made some test spacers to get an idea of how to build the ratchet pawl to stop the grill from falling down.
Getting really close now and took a picture so y'all can see how the contraption goes together.

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[worth1]

Picked up some bolts i needed and 50 feet of 1/8th inch steel cable at the store.
The cable is rated at 340 pounds or some such rot.
2 sharing the weight would be 680 pounds.
Got no idea why some people are using stuff that could pull a tractor out of a mud hole.
My maths worked out on the spot as to where to drill to hole in the axle so the cable wrap ended where I wanted it when completely lifted.
The other guys are over compensating as to where to put the cable on the axle shaft.
Way out in the middle.
Just a few more adjustments and odds and ends and it will be ready for paint.
Looks like a starving muddy hog right now.

[matereater]

Nice to see youre resuming the grill project. cant wait to see the finished product !

[worth1]

Folks I have been at it all day from sun up till now.
Been measuring drilling welding taping threads and turning on the engine lathe.
At one point I forgot how to put the contraption together because I had so many different ideas I got mixed up as to which one I was doing. .
What we have in the pictures coming soon is the main shaft the cables go around to lift the grill.
Next a spacer bushing through the upright.
Next is the ratchet mechanism.
It has a spacer welded to it so as it is solidly affixed.
The spacer welded to said spacer has a hole drilled into it so a 1/4 20 screw or bolt can go into a corresponding threaded hole in the main shaft.
This locks it to the shaft.
Next is a spacer between the ratchet mechanism and the big wheel.

There is a 3/8 bolt going from the wheel to the ratchet locking them in place with spacer to keep from squeezing them together.
Next another spacer then a washer and a big nut on the end of the shaft holding it all together.
Now you can turn the wheel and by way of interconnected parts the shaft turns raising the grill.

Here are two pictures explaining it.

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[worth1]

Well I (WAS) going to work on it more today but an old friend called and we talked while he drove to Iowa from Colorado.
Seems as though he is going to manage a cut flower part of a farm ran by mutual friend of ours.
Really long story.
We all used to work in Alaska.