220 gallon spray truck

[DaveO]

I'm sure someone in the future will thank you for the "one wrench" system. And the door lock actuator idea is brilliant. Did you just happen to have an actuator on hand with the right throw distance, or did that require some research?

[Rambozo]

I'm sure someone in the future will thank you for the "one wrench" system. And the door lock actuator idea is brilliant. Did you just happen to have an actuator on hand with the right throw distance, or did that require some research?

There is a good chance that someone might be me, so it's a bit selfish.

My initial idea was to use a small solenoid that I had in a junk box, but so much of the choke was plastic, I was unable to take it apart intact. Even the pivot rod through the carb body was plastic and the choke blade crimped on. My solenoid didn't have the power required and there was no easy way to make a metal actuator arm. I remembered the door lock unit left over from an old alarm installation and amazingly was able to find it. I measured the throw distance and drilled the stock choke lever at a point where that distance matched. The duty cycle is probably pretty low, but it only takes a second or two of choke on cold mornings to start it.

[youngnstudly]

That's a nice little setup! Very compact and space saving!

I often wish I had a program to do 3D modeling in! I was spoiled back when I was working since I had the company's software (solidworks, Autocad, CADduct, etc) to use at my convenience, which made it easy to go from a silly idea in my head, to an actual product in my hands. I don't need anything too fancy, it's just nice to have something to play around with and help create a visual image.

I remembered the door lock unit left over from an old alarm installation and amazingly was able to find it.

There is so much truth to that! I have a ton of little "nick-nack" things I've been holding onto for years (future projects) and I always have the hardest time finding the exact item I'm looking for! I keep telling myself that "It's always in the last place you look", but that never helps when searching! Luckily I have really been organizing lately and been in the cleaning up/throwing out mode.

[Rambozo]

I often wish I had a program to do 3D modeling in! I was spoiled back when I was working since I had the company's software (solidworks, Autocad, CADduct, etc) to use at my convenience, which made it easy to go from a silly idea in my head, to an actual product in my hands. I don't need anything too fancy, it's just nice to have something to play around with and help create a visual image.

No excuses, this was all done with the free version of Google Sketchup. Quite a few parts were pre-made models free from the Google 3D Warehouse, with just a few mods here and there, as needed. Who would have thought the best way to find nice models of sprinkler valves would be kids drawing elaborate versions of PVC spud guns.

http://www.sketchup.com

[its_34]

Nice work. That's a prime example of the benefits of thorough planning.

[youngnstudly]

No excuses, this was all done with the free version of Google Sketchup. Quite a few parts were pre-made models free from the Google 3D Warehouse, with just a few mods here and there, as needed. Who would have thought the best way to find nice models of sprinkler valves would be kids drawing elaborate versions of PVC spud guns.

http://www.sketchup.com

Great, now I'm never going to get to sleep tonight! I'm too busy playing with this (sweet!) program I just downloaded. Thanks for the link and info! I'm sure once I get the hang of the program, there will be no stopping me!

[Rambozo]

Here is a good start. http://www.youtube.com/user/SketchUpVideo/videos
And there are others all over YouTube. It's being used by a lot of woodworking publications, as well. It's a little heavier into architecture and Google Earth modeling, but it's open enough to make it fit almost anything. Plus there are like a ton of plugins to do specific things that are not built in. There is a Ruby API to allow some pretty intense automation, too. If you have any AutoCAD Lisp experience, you will be surprised at how easy things can be. Have a peek at http://extensions.sketchup.com

Of course once you have 3D models, you will want a 3D printer in no time.

[Jason]

Interesting ideas for sure. I am going to have to look at that software also although I do have access to AutoCAD and the like.