Stainless Steel Micro-Airstream behind motorcycle

[ST1100]

Hi Chris,

thanks for your compliments.

The top will be removable, so I must not meet any rule or law because it is just cargo.
The skin will overlap the upper rivet line of the utility part.

The utility trailer has got a title and official approval inside german laws.
I do not need insurance and I can pull it only with a not sealed license plate with the numbers of my motocycles plate.

The skin is not aluminum but 0.6 mm (1⁄32 in) stainless steel and windows are added after finishing the skin.

Tom

[alaska teardrop]

Hi Tom,

Your work is a fine example of industrial design art & craftsmanship.

I'm curious to see how you will cut the stainless steel ball to fit the corners.

Fred

[ST1100]

The quotation for welding the frame arrived: 427 Euros !!!

For that sum I can buy my own MIG Welder !!!

If the second requested welder will not be very much more affordable, I have to bury that option !

Tom

[ST1100]

Second quotation arrived - 350 Euros for the welding !



So I have to rivet the frame with angles together !

[ST1100]

Hello again,

in the first week of January my 10 LED marker lights arrived from China and here you can see them together with my Opel Rekord taillights.



and on friday I found a tiny clear roof vent with mosquito guard 28 x 28 cm (= 11 x 11 inches) for 45 Euros.

[ST1100]

After the too expensive offer for the welding of my cage, I decided to rivet the bars together with stainless angles and ordered 50 of them.

I had set sheets of 3 mm hardboard into the rectangle bays of my cage to secure that they stay rectangle !



And then I began to rivet all together until I ran out of rivets.



Only the top frame I have to complete next weekend - then I can begin to taylor the skin.

And today I ordered the plexiglass for 5 windows.

Tom

[KCStudly]

Looking good!

[pchast]

That's coming together nicely. Great idea with the temporary
hardboard squares.

[ST1100]

After small visible progress the last two weekends with drilling holes for cables and pulling them thru the frame,
I made yesterday and today the first steps with cutting sheets for the skin.

I fitted them to the frame and drilled many holes for my rivets in 50 mm distance.

Drilling stainless steel is easy, if you use a cobalt drill, drill not too fast and dip it after every drilled hole short in oil.
The drill must not become hot, then it will last very long. That is still my second 4 mm drill in this project.

[ST1100]

I had to cut the edges to fit perfect and could not drill the upper holes because the roof will determine the holes along the upper edge.



After fixing the right side, I drilled the holes for the left side of the stern.

[ST1100]

Next step is to cut the window into the stern.



and try again !

[ST1100]

Then the same for the right sidewall again.



... and at last for today I cut the first sheet for the roof and fixed it with clamps ...



Tom

[KCStudly]

You're doing great work!

[paulnb57]

This little trailer is absolutely fantastic as are your fabrication skills - well done that man!

I really look forward to your updates!

Paul

[MeelisV]

The quotation for welding the frame arrived: 427 Euros !!!

For that sum I can buy my own MIG Welder !!!

If the second requested welder will not be very much more affordable, I have to bury that option !

Tom

good work man !

i know those prices
my frame was 1000 EUR but with materials, with bending and welding
and bit bigger
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/r ... directlink