Homegrown Tow Bar

[USMC6062]

I decided to build myself a tow bar. I realize that if I were paying myself to build this, I probably could have bought several factory tow bars, but I think mine will be better in the end. Plus I should only have about $100 dollars out of pocket in mine, I spent $85 of that on the two adapters that hook to the bumper. Those would have been a little too much work to make for what they cost. I only have the lunette portion done for now, and it will be a while before I get time to work on it again, but I have to get this done before i go to pick up my deuce that I won. Next will be the legs, I'm going to make them out of 2" square tubing 1/4" wall, then I need to make the yokes for the adapter ends and where the one leg pivots. More pictures to come, as soon as I get more done.

 

[builder77]

Very Very nice work. I bet that portion will end up stronger then the military version too as the military version is a casting. Did you cut that with a pattern or with a 2D CNC cutting system?

 

[USMC6062]

I made a patern out of poster board, then layed it out on a sheet of 1/4" plate with soap stone and cut it with a torch.

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

Very Nice, looking forward to the continuation of this thread as the legs grow.

 

[kc8sfq]

Home grown tow bar

I'm a welder/fabricator by trade. I'm willing to bet this isn't your first fab project.

NICE work.

 

[BEASTMASTER]

RE: Home grown tow bar

real nice, but i took a 20 ton shackle and used that for the lunette. used 2" square tubing for the legs.looks real good and it works to!

 

[dirtyfingernails]

RE: Home grown tow bar

Wow, what excellent workmanship! I could only dream of having the skill to do such a nice job! thanks for sharing!
Steve

 

[WillWagner]

RE: Home grown tow bar

Nice work. You have a steady hand and a talent! Keep us up 2 date on the outcome.

 

[alphadeltaromeo]

RE: Home grown tow bar

Very impressive. I love seeing stuff like this done...it's quite inspirational!

 

[CliffW]

Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

Wow, what excellent workmanship! I could only dream of having the skill to do such a nice job! thanks for sharing!
Steve

 

[timntrucks]

RE: Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

that is nice work. glad you are sharing and i will be looking for the leg section in pics thanks

 

[nattieleather]

RE: Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

Wow...Like everyone else said. If I had just seen the last pick I would have thought that is was the cast piece. Espically after you make it OD...

What method of welding did you use? Arc? Gas? TIG, etc?

 

[USMC6062]

RE: Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

I TIG'ed the initial root pass, then came back and MIG'ed what you see in the pics. Thanks for the compliments, Alex

 

[bottleworks]

RE: Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

Absolutely awesome!!

By any chance, would you be willing to share the templates online?

 

[USMC6062]

RE: Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

Yea I wouldn't mind, but I only made a pattern for the two center (largest) pieces, and just made up the others as I went. I can probably trace it to a piece of paper, and right out the dimensions if that's what your looking for.

 

[USMC6062]

RE: Re: RE: Home grown tow bar

Well I made some more progress the last couple days, all I have left is cut the 2" square tubing to length and weld it all together.

 

[wdbtchr]

I was curious if you V-ed out the laminates before you welded them together or just surface welded them. I can weld but they never look good.

 

[builder77]

Ok I am a bit confused on the leg ends. In pic 296 the first pic of this update there appears to be some additional material added in between center and right ends in the pic. How did you assemble it all? Like before great work.

 

[USMC6062]

wdbtchr: Yes I beveled the edges of the laminate pieces before I welded them together, then ground it all flat again.

builder77: I think your asking about the raised area between the flat tabs and the square stock. I filled it with weld then ground it down flat. I forgot to take a picture of that step.

 

[Elwenil]

Are the legs going to be adjustable, or are you making it for one specific length?