I drilled a 3/4" hole in the web of my rail because a have a box of tow ball hitches and thought could make a bunch of tools. Here is a cut off tool I ground out this morning. Seems to work well. What do you guys think? Frosty does this help your guts thinking? LOL

Looks like it'll do the job. Wow that is a lot of grinding. 

Does it just sit in the hole? They are better off easily removed in my opinion so you can pop it out and get back safely hammering without a potential finger lopper there. 

On a side note, if it just sits in a round hole there is the potential for it to rotate around making you chase it. 

I had the same thought, but it looks like it would be fairly easy to weld some vertical pieces on that would keep it from rotating.

Yes Das it is a slip fit but tight so I just tap and pull so it pops out for quick change or removal. I thought about having to chase it so I cut in diamond pattern teeth on the collar so it grabs the web and holds it. I used it a couple times and she stayed in place.

On 10/20/2016 at 2:00 PM, Buzzkill said:

I had the same thought, but it looks like it would be fairly easy to weld some vertical pieces on that would keep it from rotating.

Again, I cut a diamond pattern in the bottom of the collar so it grabs or digs into the web just a little...welding a couple stops might be an option as well...thanks.

Good deal then.  Since you have a box of the ball hitches, and you obviously are good at grinding them, you could make a couple different diameter bottom fullers. 

Yea sir, that's what I was thinking as well...the grinding took some time but other then a little time and some electricity, it was free so I'm happy!

Please stop cutting and pasting. 

9 minutes ago, turbo7 said:

Please stop cutting and pasting. 

Why? at times it makes it easier to understand the response.

Read the post about it mate, I personally don't need to re-read to keep up with what's going on.

2 hours ago, turbo7 said:

Please stop cutting and pasting. 

I didn't cut and paste, I quoted the comment and responded. Isn't that what the "quote" button is for so ppl know who and what your responding to? I certainly understand not quoting with a prior photo as it will eat up bandwidth but not verbiage. Personally I like seeing what's being responded to as often times it's on different days going back and I unfortunately don't have a photographic memory!

People quote in every forum I've ever read, and that's a LOT of them...don't sweat it.  It's a handy tool when used properly.  I personally like the quote function.

Thanks Arkie, same here. Not only read but forums I've been moderator on for years! Unrelated forums that is.

Maybe a handy tool when used properly, but it is getting used all the time, might be time for me to stop reading IFI and spend more time forgoing me thinks.

Great job on the hot cut and kudos for using up what's readily available.

That is a great idea. Myself I found a bunch of bucket teeth at the scrap yard and I welded one to a piece of round plate, works great for cutoff and for opening up my split crosses, Your trailer ball idea has me thinking, I believe I have an old 2-5/8" ball in the shed with a 1" shaft that I could grind into a 3/4" square to fit my little Swedish anvil. Are trailer balls hardened? I wonder if the grinding heat anneals them?

8 hours ago, bigb said:

Are trailer balls hardened? I wonder if the grinding heat anneals them?

Yes sir they are and they are a PITA to grind. I took my time grinding to make sure I keep the heat down. I also used a rag wrapped around the shaft and collar away from the grinding area and a couple wrapped around my vice with extra packed around the ball that I kept wet with cold water. This helps to draw heat away so that I could grind longer and stop less. (An old knikemaker tought me this trick) works great on straight razors and knifes. Every little bit helps.

I am going to have a crack at one of these in a day or two, wet rags and a 1.5mm cutting disc,  I will let you know how many discs I use !! 

The quote feature is very useful when two or more conversations are in progress, OR when some time has elapsed and you need reminded as to what your post references. It is not so useful when it repeats what you just read in the previous post.

When quoting you have the option to edit out all but the reminder of the post you reference. Usually one sentence or phrase is all that is needed to remind us. 

 

3 minutes ago, Glenn said:

The quote feature is very useful, and can be not so useful when it repeats what you just read.

This would be an example of an edited post. 

Think of it as reading a book. The easier it is to read the more you will read and understand.