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trailer hitches to dish?
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 3:29 am
by Engenulf
Could a trailer hitch (ball) be used as a devise to dish and bowl metal?
or am I just wishing?
Thanks
Engenulf
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Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 5:23 am
by Kyle Wiegers
Yes, they can. That is what my brother uses.
However, you do have to make them round. Grind down the edge, as all the trailer hitches we've found have a flat top.
Also, he turns his on it's side in a vice and supports it with a jack under it.
Hans.
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 6:23 am
by Erik Schmidt
I use a ball of similar size welded to the front of a claw hammer to dish. It works fine.
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 2:01 pm
by Ideval
I use a hitch-ball, as well.
I bought the largest I could find locally, which was 2 7/8" in diameter. As was suggested, I ground and polished the flat spot off of the top. I use a 3/4" galvanized coupling and a length of 3/4" galvanized pipe for a handle - I use the hammer like a piston, using the "recoil" or up-bounce to keep my arm and shoulder from tiring.
When I need a planishing form, I thread the whole affair into a 3/4" flange that has been lag-screwed to a tall stump. My goal is to have proper tools for each process, but as a student money is limited. And where there's a will, there is always a way.
Idëval
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 2:22 pm
by Mad Matt
Why the heck didn't I think of that.
I've got a welder now too. Time to find some ball hitches.
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The budding mid 14th century German Transitional guy.
Mad Matt's Armory
Posted: Thu Mar 28, 2002 4:26 pm
by Arland
If you have the time and the gear to do it. I've seen some pretty good trailer hitch covers that were made on a grinder. You just a find a pipe converter. From the grinder size to the trailer ball threads.
Failing that Home Depot will thread one for you.
Then take a grinder to it, and shape it.
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Baron Arland the Bastard
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/rivetedmaille
Posted: Sat Mar 30, 2002 7:01 pm
by sedric
I cut the threaded shaft off of a 2 15/16 trailer hitch, rounded the edges a bit, turned it sidways and welded it to a claw hammer on a fiberglass handle( absorbs some of the shock ) then cut the 'claw' off.
If you turn the thing sidways you'll get a MUCH smoother dishing surface with way less work.