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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Dallas on July 06, 2006, 05:27:14 PM

Title: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 06, 2006, 05:27:14 PM
This is something I've been working on lately.
I decided to figure out a way to use easily available parts and pieces to build a heavy duty sliding battery tray.
There are actually only 2 different ingredients.
1 pair of good used roller scates
and
Old Bed Rails
I think I have a total of about $7 into materials.  Misc. welding wire cost about $9.
The uprights pieces that are in the picture are for an upper tray that hadn't been done when the pictures were taken.
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 06, 2006, 05:30:20 PM
More of the tray
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 06, 2006, 05:32:21 PM
And Some More
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: gumpy on July 06, 2006, 07:38:39 PM
Looks good.

I been planning a similar concept for my stair cover. I bought a bunch of tiny skate wheels from a surplus place. I'm going to motorize it with a cheapo 12v cordless drill.

I'm planning on using channel iron on the bottom, and then attach the rear wheels to the tray, and the front wheels to the rack, and have the tray roll on the front wheels. The rear wheels will support the back and I'll get no binding of the tray metal on the channel iron metal as the weight comes out. I'm hoping to do it with 4 wheels.


Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on July 06, 2006, 08:21:44 PM
Wow Dallas,

$7.00 in mat.. and 9.00 weld wire...

Build me two of them and I'll send you $32.00     LOL...


Nice job Dallas
Nick-
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 07, 2006, 01:35:44 AM
Nick,
This thing was simple to build, and if I were better at welding and fabrication probably wouldn't take more than a day yo build.
This particular one is set up for an 8-D but I put 2 t-145's and a T-105 on it to test it.
It's tight enough that I was able to extend the tray to within 4" of the end and still not have a problem with putting it back in.
It slid like it was still empty. Actually, it slid better because empty, it's a little sticky.
I used the roller skate wheels because it dawned on me that those things are built to take a lot of punishment, (figure a 260 lb. guy rolling on one skate).
The bed rails are made from some really tough steel and at these lengths don't bend easily.

I bought the skates at a flea market for $2 and the bed rails for $5.

Dallas
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: brojcol on July 07, 2006, 06:50:03 AM
BRILLIANT!!! ;D

Jimmy
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: pete81eaglefanasty on July 07, 2006, 09:45:51 AM
   Do you think the wheels will fit in a garage door rail. I would like to make one like you did. looks good.

                pete
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 07, 2006, 01:20:39 PM
Quote from: pete81eaglefanasty on July 07, 2006, 09:45:51 AM
   Do you think the wheels will fit in a garage door rail. I would like to make one like you did. looks good.

                pete

I made one a long time ago for my skoolie using garage door track and I found that the galvanizing reacted with the battery acid or gasses and corroded within a couple of years.

The wheels I used on this are 1 3/8" wide and probably wouldn't fit into the track but you might try using the kind on inline skates. I have a bunch of those that I was going to use but they were different sizes.

Dallas
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: ChuckMC8 on July 07, 2006, 02:01:01 PM
I'd ride that down a big hill before I installed it in the bus- dual purpose!
Hey what a deal! Looks great & a neat idea.
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: David Anderson on July 08, 2006, 09:06:10 AM
Dallas,

It would make a good article for the Bus Conversion Magazine.

David
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Hartley on July 13, 2006, 06:53:26 PM
How many harbor freight items can you spot in those pictures?

I see at least one item so far....
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 14, 2006, 02:36:21 AM
Quote from: DrDave-Reloaded on July 13, 2006, 06:53:26 PM
How many harbor freight items can you spot in those pictures?

I see at least one item so far....


This sounds like Fun!
Who else has a guess!

Dallas
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: FloridaCliff on July 14, 2006, 03:16:37 PM
Okay,

I'll bite

The plastic welder and maybe the welding channel lock ;D

Cliff
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: NewbeeMC9 on July 14, 2006, 05:32:51 PM
He has the distribution center right up the street. :P  Is it on the Octoberfest schedule?

Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 14, 2006, 06:19:32 PM
Quote from: NewbeeMC9 on July 14, 2006, 05:32:51 PM
He has the distribution center right up the street. :P  Is it on the Octoberfest schedule?



Nope, Not on the schedule, but we can always make a side trip if we need to!

By the way, the only HF items I see are the plastic welder and the red triangle magnet.

I think that's about the only thing I've bought from HF in a long time!

Dallas
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Hartley on July 14, 2006, 07:04:16 PM
Plastic Welder
Chipping Hammer/Brush? ( Looks chinese to me..)

I missed the magnet thingy...
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Dallas on July 15, 2006, 12:06:59 AM
Quote from: DrDave-Reloaded on July 14, 2006, 07:04:16 PM
Plastic Welder
Chipping Hammer/Brush? ( Looks chinese to me..)

I missed the magnet thingy...


Yeah, the slag hammer may be from HF... I've had it so long I don't remember where I got it. I've had 4 or 5 good ones and lose them but, this one keeps hanging around.

Dallas
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Le Mirage on January 13, 2010, 08:36:58 AM
Wouah! Good Idea...
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: oldmansax on January 13, 2010, 09:44:39 AM
Outstanding idea!

TOM
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Len Silva on January 13, 2010, 12:29:53 PM
Quote from: gumpy on July 06, 2006, 07:38:39 PM
Looks good.

I been planning a similar concept for my stair cover. I bought a bunch of tiny skate wheels from a surplus place. I'm going to motorize it with a cheapo 12v cordless drill.

I'm planning on using channel iron on the bottom, and then attach the rear wheels to the tray, and the front wheels to the rack, and have the tray roll on the front wheels. The rear wheels will support the back and I'll get no binding of the tray metal on the channel iron metal as the weight comes out. I'm hoping to do it with 4 wheels.


Don't know how I missed this topic back in July.  Great idea Gumpy but I think electric window motors might be more robust.
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: BG6 on January 13, 2010, 12:37:08 PM
Quote from: Len Silva on January 13, 2010, 12:29:53 PM
Don't know how I missed this topic back in July..

Because it was the July THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO!

Holy Thread Resurrection, Batman!

:D
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Just Dallas on January 13, 2010, 01:41:17 PM
Removed
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: gumpy on January 13, 2010, 01:48:18 PM
Yup, and I still haven't built my stair cover   :-[
Title: Re: Slide Tray Idea
Post by: Nellie Wilson on January 13, 2010, 04:10:49 PM
Dallas -
That is waaay to smart! I've been drooling for some bay slideouts but didn't hve a clue where to start. Whack a couple of those together for me... I'll give you %100 over cost, no questions asked.  ;D

Nellie Wilson