Cradle Adapters for Bendpak XPR10A-LP

[firestopper]

I purchased a 10K some time in September knowing that I would be raising low profile cars.
I went with the Low Pro arms (LP) for this reason. haven taken the Camaro to a buddies shop who works on imports, we had to place a floor jack under my car to get the arms in place. I said note to self, when the time comes for the purchase, I would NOT be doing this!

Well the lift went up with no issues other than running out of beer (after install). I soon raised the low profile cars using the round disks provided. These work well with una-body but I did not trust those flat disks on the 1/2 ton truck or the 2500 HD duramax, let alone my 40 (daily driver).

Pulled some measurements from all framed rigs and designed some cradles I like to share.

Materials; 3/8" X 4" cold rolled flat bar (24")
2" solid round cold rolled (12")

Equipment used; Ellis 1800 bandsaw (cut all stock)
Scothman 51T iron worker (Break attachment)
14"X40" lathe (turned pins)
Miller 350P (wire speed 475 ipm pulse)
I did not get photos of the lathe work or breaking the bar. I had not considered posting until prior to welding.

I set up a single C clamp and worked around the clamp burning in a single pass eliminating tacking.

 

[firestopper]

I machined a 3/8" shoulder on the pins to mate with a machine surface on the lift and allow a smooth swivel. The foot of the weld came close but enough relief was accomplished with no clean up required.

 

[firestopper]

The last step was to glue some 3/16" neoprene to the inside of the cradles. No photo taken while working with glue.
In this photo, I rigged all four on to the press for curing of the contact cement.

 

[Weber Sarge]

Nice adapters - very interesting press plate , what specifically is that ?
Sarge

 

[firestopper]

The base plate seen in the last photo is a sine plate I use on the milling machines for special applications. Most of the holes are threaded for securing your part. I needed a larger flat base for the curing set up (its hardened and ground).

 

[LINUS]

I am green with envy right now :/

My 350p shows up Wed & I got the Alumapro A (25') gun too.

Total overkill for a home shop, but I don't hit the bars much, so it all evens out.

I might ask for a kit of those feet if you have more round stock to turn, my lift is a similar design arms for swapping pads (Launch Tech)

 

[firestopper]

Your gonna love your new machine! My 350P came with a roughneck whip/torch that is rated for maximum amps, that said it is very robust and

heavy. Working with fixtures/jigs all makes it counter productive (for me) so I keep a M-25 15' whip on my 350. The roughneck goes back on

when I need to weld on 1/2" and up for more than ten minutes. The M-25 is nimble compared to the roughneck and good for 250 amps.



Bendpak sell a set of these for around $200. They use 1/4" stock and break the sides at 90*. I wanted a little more "beef" and less than 90*, so

fabricating them was a no brainer. Material cost $44.00 (I already had the neoprene). As for turning the pins, I would be happy to, but I would

check your local machine shop for pricing due to shipping. I can provide measurements I used. I'm also working on a "40 adapter" extension that will

drop in place on the front (short) arms of the lift.

Post a photo of your new machine when you get it.

Peace.

 

[firestopper]

We got to use the new adapters yesterday on a 56 ford. The frame is much higher than the running boards so with 6" spacers and the cradle adapters

my friend was able to walk under his truck for the first time.

 

[firestopper]

The front arms on the lift model I went with are shorter than a standard lift. This created a problem for the 40 as the frame is so narrow than the

other framed rigs I own. In addition to the cradles, I came up with arm extensions that drop in to place. I knew from experience that a tight tolerance

would result in a hassle when placing/removing. I decided to machine the pin .010 under and compensate for the sag by breaking a slight upward

angle. Under a load the arm extensions are level with the rear arms but can be easily removed when not needed.

Material used for extensions; 1/2" x 4" CR flat bar.
pins and collars 2" CR round bar.

I inspected the front arms to ensure the sleeves where "bomb proof" as the added leverage would result in torsional load when adaptors are in use.

I raised the 40 just off the ground and inspected/measured all points. Pleased with the results the 40 went up with no issues. The welding machine

was set at 475 ipm ensuring penetration. I will clean up and soften the corners prior to painting.