Now it was time to start work on the frame. The first thing made was the frame ends. Started with some 1/4" angle iron and rough machined it..
After bending the corners and cutting the angle iron to length, this is what things looked like so far.
I couldn't resist putting everything on the trucks to see how it looks.
Before welding the frame together, I wanted to do as much machining as possible with loose pieces so it would be easier to put in the vice. Drilled tons of holes on both sides of the angle iron. This will be used as a template for the sheet metal sides. Drive screws will be used in this section.
Here's everything so far. Still have to do more machining and cutting on the end pieces before welding.
The 1/8" plate was measured and cut for the frame decking. Things are already starting to get pretty heavy. Once I get all the pieces cut, machined and fitted, then I will weld everything together. Next is to start on the body framing.
Next step was to make the bolsters to attach the trucks to.
The end plates are finished and sand blasted. Here's a picture of all the clamps holding the frame together just before I spot welded things in place.
After spot welding the underframe, I temporarily put it on the trucks to see how things looked so far.
Next is the framing for the body....
I wanted the scale of the tender to be accurate. The problem was that the 40lb propane tank takes up a good portion of the tender. Not only that, but the propane tank only had about 1" clearance from the top and sides of the tender.
To take the tank out, I have to tilt it out but it hits the top of the tender. I could either deviate from the prototype dimensions, get a smaller 30lb tank or come up with something else. After a few days I figured out what kind of modifications were needed to be able to switch tanks without getting an acetylene torch and cutting it out (oh yea... cutting by the propane tank!). The best part is that I didn't change any dimensions. Once I get it made, I'll post some pictures here. The picture below shows a portion of the body framing done with the propane tank. Can you say TIGHT!
It's starting to take shape!
Two stainless steel baffles were made for the water tank. The were made removable so I could easily get to the pumps, piping, filters, etc. when needed. It will also make it a lot easier to waterproof the inside of the water tank. The brass tabs hold them in place.
