Tuesday 8 September 2009

Done and Dusted


We've finished. We got reverse working today, which was the last problem, and we've all been tearing round the garden at 5 mph like Jenson Button. It sounds like a monster truck but starts first time and goes up a 1 in 2 slope. It's going to be wicked in snow with chains on. Bob says he wishes he'd had it when he was younger; me too.


I'm particularly proud of our home-made steering pinion. The original on the right only had three teeth left. The cog on the one on the left was made from a piece of scrap bronze using nothing but a hacksaw and files. We ground down a bit of iron bar, tapped a thread into it, and drilled three shear pins to stop it rotating.


Who needs engineers?

11 comments:

  1. A man who can use his hands to build, create or repair, will never be poor.

    It's just a shame the price of fuel will prevent you from using it more than twice a year. Bloody Arabs.

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  2. That'll be soooo cool when you've got the fluffy dice on.

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  3. Honey, you ARE an engineer.
    I'm so impressed and jazzed.
    Me next!

    Just be careful eh?

    Aloha

    Comfort Spiral

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  4. Who needs Dick Strawbridge more like! Have you thought about signing up for Scrapheap Challenge?

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  5. Yup, you need a nodding dog in the back. And a gun rack. That would be cool. And I want one too. Ideal for Westminster.

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  6. you best keep this hidden from the safety people, where's the crash cage? Mind you, if you have a flying helmet and knee pads you should be ok....and I want one too, will you make it in red?

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  7. Brother T., you and my father-in-law appear to be twins - he'd love this, but before anybody could have a ride on it he'd be trying to convert it into a helicopter! Jules and Madame are right, and go-faster stripes.

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  8. That's fabulous. Scrapheap Challenge have lost out by not having you on

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  9. Jimmy - You're right; it drinks fuel. I wonder if we could convert our surplus of cooking apples into biofuel?

    Helen - I can picture you chugging up the A1 with the Gretsch on your back...

    Jules - Yes! And a dingle-dangle air-freshener shaped like a Christmas tree.

    Cloudia - With the removal of the mower bed it is a bit inclined to do wheelies.

    Steve - I'd love to do that (but could never match the moustache).

    Madame DeF - If it weren't for the thunderous noise and wreaths of smoke, there is something of a mobility scooter about it.

    Amanda - Red one on its way.

    Gadjo - Helicopter! Brilliant idea. There's a spare drive now the mower's gone. Perhaps a worm gear, with a vertical shaft forrard of the seat....I'm just going out to the garage; I may be some time.

    Fancy - I am far too photogenically challenged. If they ever transfer it to radio I might have a chance.

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