A few projects I've been working on.

[tuscarora dave]

I have been working on a lot of buses for a regular client and also get a lot of trucks to detail. I went out and bought an articulating ladder some time ago and loading it in and out of my van has been a real pain so I decided to design and build a mount to mount it to the exterior of my van so that I always have it with me but only have to horse around with it when I need it.

This summer I took a client out to dinner and left my canopy up. I wicked thunderstorm blew through while we were out and crushed my canopy. I figured someday I could use the twisted framework so I saved it. I took the legs and some of the other pieces that weren't all bent up and made my ladder mount out of it.

I also got my vacuum unit all wired up and ready to place in my van. Now I can run the power for the Vacuum unit to the customer's electrical outlet and then just plug my polishers into it and also have a toggle switch for the vacuum unit in the same box. It's nice to have a little time to get a few of my own projects completed for once. Here are a few pics of the ladder mount.

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/006-12.jpg
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/009-20.jpg
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/007-21.jpg
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/011-20.jpg

Here's a pic of the vacuum unit wired up.

http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd323/tuscaroradave/001-14.jpg

Just thought I'd share what I've been up to the last 2 days. This van is a work in progress and will be for a while I guess. Thanks for looking. TD

[Dubbin1]

Dave I swear to god you could build anything.

[tuscarora dave]

Dave I swear to god you could build anything.
We should build something together. I love building stuff. No drawings just build it!!Im the MAN

[ANeat]

Nice vacuum, as long as you got quarters :D

Good job on the rack, building stuff is my favorite pastime :props:

[tuscarora dave]

Nice vacuum, as long as you got quarters :D

Good job on the rack, building stuff is my favorite pastime :props:
Thanks, I found that vacuum unit on craigslist for $100 it literally sucks the carpet 5 inches off of the floor in my living room. I'll be building a winching system for my van soon to lift the heavy stuff in and out. No quarters needed.lol

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Dave I swear to god you could build anything.
Agreed.

[SeaJay's]

Very nice set up you got there! Nice being a handy man that will attempt to build anything. I'm the same way. Everyone asks me how I do it and I just say I don't know I just build it until it works. People all the time say they can't do things and honestly how do you know if you can't do something if you don't at least try it!

[tuscarora dave]

Very nice set up you got there! Nice being a handy man that will attempt to build anything. I'm the same way. Everyone asks me how I do it and I just say I don't know I just build it until it works. People all the time say they can't do things and honestly how do you know if you can't do something if you don't at least try it!
:iagree:like M.J. said, Just do it!! Thanks

[Joe in PA]

Very nice Dave. I really like the way you built in the security system on the ladder rack. :xyxthumbs:

[tuscarora dave]

Very nice Dave. I really like the way you built in the security system on the ladder rack. :xyxthumbs:
Thanks Joe, I had bought 4 PTO lock pins over at J&W Hardware and after I got the basic design all put together I'll be darned if I could figure out where I put those pins. I looked everywhere and never did find them so I drove the Buick over to WalMart to find something. (10 PM) I saw those locks all keyed the same and started thinking about keeping the honest people honest. $17 extra bought me a little piece of mind that my ladder wouldn't be as easy to steal.

[BobbyG]

Pretty slick Dave!

Necessity is the Mother of Invention....:props: