I just got done cleaning up the last strap on the set of team harnesses that I've been working on. I'm so excited. I still have the bridles to do, but the harnesses themselves are hung up to dry. Once they dry, I can start re-assembling them. I have a few pieces of hardware I need to buy, but it should be minimal. Can't wait to start working both the girls together!!!
Also, I have been trying to find the best place to buy a yoke and a double tree. So far, I've found that Big Black Horse has the best deal on them. My options are wood, or metal. I was going to go with metal, since it would last longer and I could leave it outside, however, then I realized that I will be using this on my wagon, and I've learned that metal tree's make a lot of noise when clanking on a wagon. I'm going to buy a set of wood ones. 48" wide. The last decision I need to make, is whether to stick with natural wood stain, or red painted. My wagon is stained red, so the red may be cool, but you can't go wrong with the normal wood look. Anyone have any opinions?
My friend Roger went to a draft sale in Missouri this weekend. I had him look for a yoke and tree for me, and I found that the guys at that sale had their stuff marked up a ton! Big Black Horse beat every price he got for me. Kinda funny that harness and tack was marked way high, but horses were dirt cheap. Roger told me that he watched perfectly broke/matched teams of belgians and percherons go for as little as 150 per horse. I tell ya ... if you want to get a horse that is broke ... you really ought to hit up one of the draft horse auctions listed in the draft horse journal. Great deals on wonderfully broke horses!!
That's it for now ... hopefully I'll have some pictures of both my mares in harness soon! :)
well i guess i have to post twice here tonight.
ReplyDeleteif you have a friend that can weld, square pipe is real cheap and three chain links works well for me one at each end and one in the middle.
and if you want it quiet and cushioned [just in case] wrap the pipe in that cheap grey foamrubber stuff they insulate hot pipes with then paint to suit.
even if you have to buy everything new i bet you can make matching single and double trees for 50 to 75 bucks.jim
I tell you Jim, welding is a talent I wish I had. I'm good with wood, but metal is not my forte. I guess I should work on that. It would be real nice to be able to make things with metal.
ReplyDeleteI have a little welder that plugs into a normal wall outlet. Last time I tried to work with it it just didn't have the power to do the job. I think my rods were too big. Now I have smaller rods and I should probably try again.
Oh hey tim have i got an update you will love.
ReplyDeleteSTEP 1 go home [this parts easy]
STEP 2 find the stick welder[little tougher]
STEP 3 hug and caress the welder while walking to the horse trough [maybe even cry a little]
STEP 4 throw it in [just trust me here]
STEP 5 never ever drain the trough or look into it again.
STEP 6 find a store called HARBOR FREIGHT and go inside.
STEP 7 go to the first blue shirt you see and hand them a list that says,,,,,,,,,
FLUX CORE MIG WELDER.99.00
AUTO DARKENING HOOD.50.00
2 EACH 0.35 FLUX CORE WIRE.14.00 EACH
STEP 8 try to act brave when you lay money on counter[no weeping here]
STEP 9 go home and carefully read instructiones.
[they will not tell you to sand a nice round edge on the end of the wire before you try to feed WIRE into little red tube DO IT ANYWAY.]
STEP 10 MAKE SURE HORSES ARE FAR AWAY.
STEP 11 put on helmet and some old clothes and gloves.weld on something scrap [55 gal drum??is kinda thin to learn on]1/4 in plate is kinda thick to learn on 1/8 in is perfect.
run heat on high. wire speed midway on dial.
move the fire VERY SLOWLY.
STEP 12 near the end of the first role of wire realize that you are making the first GOOD USABLE welds of your life.
STEP 13 CALMLY NOW remove hood and hide from all life forms [horse,wife,dog,etc]
and VERY QUIETLY NOW dance in extacy and joy...
STEP 14 SEND CLOSEUP PICTURE TO JIM OF YOUR BEST WELD AND JIM WILL TELL YOU HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER!!!
ok now all joking aside you should do this before you buy anything for horses because single and double trees are a very easy first project. and once you start you will be amazed how much money you save giving you even more money for horses.
And once you learn YOUR WELDER you will be amazed how often that cheap welder will save your butt not just financially but when you cant find what you need for sale anywhere.
that welder will weld a button on a flys vest or 1/8 in plate to 1/4 in tube
CAUTION 1 USE NO MORE THAN 25 FEET OF 12 GAUGE EXT CORD.
2 WELD NO MORE THAN 5 MIN AT A TIME.
3 LEARN THESE TERMS 1 FILLET JOINT
2 BUTT WELD
3 PREHEATING
THESE BABY WELDERS OVERHEAT EASY AFTER ABOUT 15 MIN OF CONTINUS WELDING WITH ALL CONTROLS ON HIGH.[HIGH HEAT HIGH WIRE FEED]
A professional welder will HATE this welder.
A hobby welder[us]will not be able to sing its praise enough and will feel very rich
within 10 rolls of wire it will pay you back and you will be able to compete with a pro in all areas except speed.
i have no training and i have been paid cash twice this month for welding a gate hinge 50.00
and 20.00 for welding a cracked water pipe.
wheeew ok allll done
jim
Awesome! I think you just gave me something new to try, which works out well, cuz I just finished my harnesses and need a new project (as if I don't have any lol).
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to try that. Thanks so much for that write up!!! Awesome!!!