Updated Feb. 25, 2001
I am in the process of final welding. The jigs I built worked very well. If I decide not to use them in final assembly, I'd be willing to sell them for $40 + shipping, BUT NO GUARENTEES, because the washers I welded in to make the holes smaller have a tendency to come out since it's not really weldable steel. If you're interested, just send me an E-mail.
UPDATE Dec. 10,2000:
I am making the same jig for the lower part of the frame as well. I was concerned that the hole spacing wouldn't work since the lower frame rail slants inward, and not paralell (sp?) to the upper piece.
SO, I built it in 3-D solid model on AutoCAD (see photos) and the spacing shouldn't have to be altered according to the drawing, so that's how I'm going to proceed.
This is my frame stretching jig. It is a peice of steel with 5 holes drilled at 5" intervals. When I went to buy the steel, I found a premade piece, 1/8"x2-1/2"x48" that had five 1/2" holes drilled at 5" intervals on each end! What luck! I chose to make the holes smaller by tack-welding in 8mm lock washers, which I first flattened. I can't see drilling 1/2" dia. holes for a temporary jig.
I also had to patch one spot on each side for the 5" bolt spacing to work.
The photo with the arrows shows which holes I'm going to drill. Next, I'll do the cut through the frame, and then shift the rear back and bolt through the back back holes. |
