Two small GRM-ish projects

Here's two small GRM-ish projects ("Pro-Jects" on Canada) I've done.

Project 1: The Portawinch.

The last time I come-alonged a car up on my trailer, I thought that it sucked so bad that there had to be something better. I also need to move some trees laying on the ground far from the driveway. I bought a HF hand crank winch. Sucked. Sure, it would pull, but it was about as bad as the come-along and I think it would take even longer. Next. HF had a coupon or sale or I used the GRM coupon or something and I bought their 3000 lbs electric winch for Christmas at about $50. Some city folk thoughtfully left most of their apartment in my front yard one day, so I used the bed frame from that, some leftover rebar and a battery from my bike that I had replaced with a glass mat. With this, I can put a tow strap or tie down or make a hook and hook the rebar loop to a tree or the front of my trailer, then stand back and push the remote control button and do my winching. It will fit inside the plastic box I use for stuff when I'm pulling the trailer. Just put it on the tender when not using it. Worst case, run some jumper cables from the vehicle battery.

Project 2: The PS3 Steering Wheel Holder

So, as documented in another thread, I got a PS3 for Christmas. That little thumb thing didn't fit my thumbs, so I bought a Logitech wheel, but what to mount it to? Inspired by that guy selling them on eBay, and not wanting to spend a bill and a half on it (although I will fully admit that given the time involved, his price is quite reasonable), I dug through the scrap pile and came up with: Busted HF clamps, Nordac Trac ski machine salvaged from dumpster diving, electrical conduit, chain link fence rail, Harley-Davidson OEM pushrods, PC AT case. Tad bit-o-welding, some paint, couple of rubber feet and my cost outlay approaches zero (consumeables only).

I drilled a couple of holes,front and back, on my trailer to mount my winch. It fits in the box mounted on the front of the trailer I use to carry a jack, spare battery, ratcheting tie downs, etc.,. I'm able to mount the winch on the front or back of the trailer by just bolting it. It makes moving (dragging) stuff a whole lot easier.

Cool. I also got a PS3 for Christmas and two days later for my birthday I got the same wheel as you. I don't have access to a welder so I used wood and a Kirkey seat I've had laying around for years.

Here's my set up:

In reply to Dr. Hess:

Install some tabs on the legs supporting the steering wheel. That will prevent holes in the upholstery and gain points with the missus.

Unless she doesn't give a berkeley!

Thought about just bolting the winch to the trailer, but I wanted it self contained so I could take it out in the woods.

Carson, your seat holder base thingie would be stronger if you had the top cross pieces on top of the sides instead of between the sides with the nails/screws in shear. I always try to build things so that they hold themselves together. Smith's books are great for tips like that. Otherwise, looks like it should work well.

I sprained my wrist beating on the car door yesterday (1/3" of ice), so gaming is out for a while.

In reply to oldsaw:

The bottom of the legs that go on the couch are rounded domes. I welded up the holes, then ground them to a dome. That's how I did the tire holder on the Locost. Then I dipped all the legs in tool plastic coat.

Dr. Hess wrote: Thought about just bolting the winch to the trailer, but I wanted it self contained so I could take it out in the woods.

Mine is still completely portable, I just bolt it onto the trailer, front or back, when needed.

In reply to Dr. Hess:

I didn't even consider that, thanks!

I love the winch.

This afternoon, I dug out my come along just in case I need it to haul a dead Miata up onto the trailer tomorrow. I've been thinking about my winch options and that would be just about perfect.

I just don't think that I can whip one together before noon tomorrow.

I had the exact same thought about using that exact winch for pulling cars onto my tow dolley. My fiancee asked me if i wanted it for christmas. I picked other gifts over that, but its still something id like to do.. i was just waiting to hear someone else say the thing was strong enough to do it first :

So great job!

I'm guessing that this is the winch?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95912

Yeah, that's the winch. It goes on Coupon for $49.99. There's a coupon for it in either the current American Rifleman or Shotgun News. Maybe in GRM too.

So, I got to try it out yesterday. My Graspics on the Rolla let me down. If I would have just had about 2 more MPH momentum, I think I could have pulled my driveway, but instead I slid back and got stuck in the ice, snow and slush. Got the Portawinch out, tow strap and tie down. Put the tie down around a tree, hooked to the rebar and pulled the Rolla up the hill, then tied on to the next tree. I got about 3 full pulls on a battery charge, pulling the Rolla to a flatter part of the hill, then put some chains on the ground and managed to get enough forward momentum to pull the rest of the driveway.

I think it would pull the rolla up on the trailer. I dunno about a LS400. Maybe with a bigger battery and/or battery cables or a block & tackle.

Dr. Hess wrote: Maybe with a bigger battery and/or battery cables or a block & tackle.

I'd start with some short, fat battery cables to make the most of whatever battery is handy. I suspect that it would be too slow with a block and tackle. At that point, you might as well just use the block and tackle alone.

I'm keeping my eye out for that coupon.

Saw the coupon again in Feb 2010 American Rifleman for $49.99.