What we accomplished this was completely welding the bottom frame of the trailer together. We first practiced welding on several different types of metals with our mentor’s supervision and guidance. After learning how to set up the Mig welder that we were using we started welding the frame by first tack welded all the edges and went back over with a complete weld of the frame corners. Later we worked on the cross bracing of the frame that includes custom built to fit five inch “c” channel. To complete this we had to learn how to use the grinder which chips away at the metal and allows you to create a custom curve that was needed for the cross bracing.
With the frame and most of the cross bracing put into place, the next step is to finish welding the cross bracing, out more cross bracing into the frame, and attach the tongue of the trailer to the front of the frame. We are planning to finish this next step in the coming weekend. Even after all of this work there is still a lot to do. The axles have to be placed on, the jack attached to the tongue, the tires and electrical parts attached, the second frame built, the siding put up, and the hydraulic pump attached. We have a lot of work to do, but are confident that all the free time we have been given since the end of football season will help us achieve our goal of completing the project on time.
What we did well this week was communicating with our mentor so that we were able to work on the project this past week. We also scheduled for our next week’s work and made plans to come during the weekend and complete the cross bracing and tongue of the trailer. We also talked with our mentor’s sun who is skilled in building trailers and requested that he help us the next part of our project. The tongue of the trailer takes multiple complex parts to be cut and want to do it right the first time which is why we are asking for his assistance.
What we need to work on this week is trying to be more perfectionists. This week we had some minor flaws in the cutting and welding of the frame. What we could have done better was taking our time and spending a little more time working and measuring so we had more precise parts. We struggled with building the cross bracing to fit and it did not turn out as well as we had liked. So in the future weeks to come we need to work on slowing down, taking our time, and thinking things through before we rush into anything.
Overall we learned a lot this week and found things out that we need to work on in the future. But overall it was a productive week and we got a lot accomplished.
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