by ctstaas » Sat Mar 29, 2014 8:09 pm
All the tools I used to make this trailer were previously owned by me and are common to most shadetree workers. Tool substitution for budgetary concerns or user preference is totally acceptable. I welded the frame with a Lincoln 110V wire feed welder with 0.30”flux cored wire. Multiple passes were required on some weld joints and a larger welder could have reduced this requirement. A “buzz box” stick welder would be a very inexpensive alternative to use in this application. The welds were ground with a 4” Makita disk grinder were needed. All holes were drilled with a bench top drill press or hand held drill. The steel and aluminum pieces were cut with a abrasive cut off saw, portable band saw and hack saw. Many types of saws could be used to cut the steel but the aluminum trim required a high level of accuracy and was done by hand with my hacksaw and a miter box. I cut most of the wood with my Skill saw but most would prefer to cut the curves with a jig saw or other reciprocating type saw. A hand held rip saw, coping saw, and back saw were used on several pieces. Other wood cutting was done with a vibrating wood saw. The use of a table saw would be beneficial but is not required. Several types of clamping devises were used including 5’ pipe clamps. C-clamps, vise grips, strap clamps, and spring clamps. Other hand tools include hammers, tape measure, center punch, pen, pencil, soapstone, felt tip marker, pop rivet gun, screwdrivers, cordless screwgun, number/letter stamps, pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, adjustable wrench, caulking gun, ratchet/ sockets, Wire brush, soldering torch, combination square, framing square, paint brush, putty knife or four-in-one, metal files, wood chisel, VOM, Pressure test gauge, torque wrench, 4’striaght edge. I used a pad sander and belt sander to prep for paint. Electrical connections were soldered with an electric solder iron.
Numerous providers were needed to procure the multiple parts are materials required. The steel for the frame was purchased from the local steel supply house. The plywood and lumber, fire extinguishers, glue, screws, copper tube and fittings, flux and solder, tape, wire, electrical trim, galley hatch latches, Teflon tape, bolts, nuts, washers, paint, and primer were purchased from a building supply store. I bought the trailer hitch, exterior lights, fenders, aluminum trim, door hinges, inverter, battery and connecters, solar panel, trailer jack, safety chain, battery powered lights and receiver from an agriculture supply house. The axles were bought on-line. I bought the tires and wheels from a commercial tire warehouse. The roof vent, interior and galley lights, battery box, propane supply lines, and interior fan were purchased from an RV dealer. The hurricane hinge, weather drip edge, door latches and handles, and windows were purchased from Lil Bear Teardrop Trailers. The flat screen DVD player was purchased at a national chain store. The welding supplies, sundries, and safety equipment were purchased from an industrial gas supplier. I found the foam for the mattress from the army surplus store.