Samurai Fuel Tank Skid Plate

This is how I built a fuel tank skid plate for my Suzuki Samurai…

 

I wanted a little space between the skid plate and the bottom of the tank. I taped nuts to the bottom to use as temporary spacers while I developed a pattern.

 

I cut cardboard pieces and taped them together until I had a design I liked.

 

I traced the cardboard patterns on 3/16″ steel plate and cut the parts out with a plasma cutter. After spot welding the parts together, I tested the fit on the tank.

WARNING: Never cut or weld near open fuel lines or gasoline fumes. An explosion could occur.

 

I finish welded the skid plate and removed the mill scale in my abrasive blast cabinet.

 

It is finished with epoxy primer and flat black enamel.

 

The skid plate has held up well in use.

Montana Brad Point Drill Set

I’ve been looking for a quality set of brad point drill bits. Most of the brands are now made in China and have so much runout, they are unusable in a drill press. I just discovered Montana brand drill bits. I purchased a set on Amazon for the very affordable price of $19.99…

Montana Brand 6pc Brad Point Drill Set (Made in the USA)

 

A tri-flat shank design prevents spinning in the drill chuck.

 

The CNC ground point cuts very clean holes.

 

I really like these bits and the price was great. They are made in the USA.

Leatherman Wave Sheath

I hated the sheath that came with my Leatherman Wave. It was basically a strip of leather that wrapped from the front, around the back, over the top, and snapped in front. The open sides had strips of elastic to hold the tool.

 

I checked several of my local outdoor stores for a better sheath, and ended up settling for a nylon sheath from REI. This is the second sheath I have worn out.

 

I turned to the internet to find a better sheath. I purchased the original brown sheath directly from Leatherman for $6. The product description says that this sheath only fits the original Leatherman Wave. I don’t know how to tell if I have the original Wave, but mine fits nicely inside.

 

A front snap closes this well made leather sheath.

Build a Samurai Front Bumper

A stock Suzuki Samurai front bumper is made of very thin metal. It is time to make something better.

 

I purchased the raw components from Zuks Off Road.

 

I have removed the stock bumper. I will cut the bumper mounting tube flush with the body mounts on either side of the frame rails. The ends of the tube are not needed for the new bumper.

 

I have spot welded the pieces together and am doing a test fit.

 

After spot welding, I removed the bumper and finished the welds on the floor. I sprayed it with Krylon primer from a rattle can.

 

I finished the project with three coats of Krylon satin black. This is much tougher than the tin foil bumper that came from the factory.

Little Hand Drill

Collectors don’t seem very interested in vintage hand drills. I added a little 1/4″ chuck model to my collection for only $4.50.

Krikit V-Belt Tension Gauge

This is a Krikit V-belt tension gauge from Gates. Proper v-belt tension is important for belt and bearing life. This gauge can measure 30 to 150 lbs of tension on belts up to 7/8″ wide. Tests have shown that estimating is very inaccurate when adjusting belt tension.

Although newer vehicles usually have automatic belt tensioners, there are plenty of other things around the shop with v-belts. Compressors, blower drives, and shop machinery use v-belts. Use the manufacturer’s specifications for belt tension if available. I downloaded an iPhone app from Gates that can calculate belt tension.

I purchased my gauge from Amazon…

Krikit V-Belt Tension Gauge

 

I shot a quick video to show how the gauge works.