From The Mechanic

Join the discussion with the Mechanic on all sorts of DIY Project topics, including news, tips and much more about building things. DIY is our specialty, so please enjoy the reading and images, then comment on things that catch your attention. To filter the posts, just select a category from the top line. (Use the X to go back to the full list.) Also, if there is something you’d like to see, please request it. This site is for you.

Timbren Axle-Less Trailer Suspension

Axle-Less Trailer Suspension

What Do You Think About Axle-Less Trailer Suspension? Is it good? . . . You ask (actually a few of you are asking), so here is an answer about the Timbren Axle-Less trailer suspension.

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Solution! for Air Tools

Air Tools Lost & Found

A simple Solutions! customer submission for easy access and organization of his common Air Tools.

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Build it with Torsion Axle Trailer Plans

New Torsion Axle Trailer Plans

New Product Announcement: The Mechanical Elements line of DIY Blueprints has just expanded with some brand new Torsion Axle Trailer Plans. You ask, and we work to deliver.

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Buy A Used Trailer - Surprise!

Buying A Used Trailer – Surprise !!

People buy and sell used trailers all the time. Look on Craigslist or other sites and you’ll see a lot of them. The question, how good is the used trailer you’re thinking about buying? Oh, and what are the sneaky little details you might not notice?

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DIY Creative Solutions

Mother of Invention?

Do you believe the old saying “Necessity is the Mother of Invention”? Well, I have a need, but I don’t need an invention, just a quick solution. So, maybe

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Gussets At Beam Intersections On A Trailer Frame

Tips To Strengthen A Trailer Frame

I have a great trailer, but it feels a bit flexy, maybe even rickety . . . How can I strengthen a trailer frame? How can I stiffen it?

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Trailer Lights and Wires Feature

Trailer Lights and Wires

On new builds, and on existing rigs, the trailer lights and wires must all function. Here are some tips on the subject so if you find electrical a little confusing or intimidating, read on.

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There's More To Just Mounting Trailer Axle Springs

There’s More To It – Mounting Trailer Axle Springs

As with many things, there’s a lot more to mounting trailer axle springs than first meets the eye. Here are 2 tips to make your trailer frame stronger.

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Ways to

Increasing Trailer Load Capacity

Have a trailer that you would like to repurpose? Or a lightweight trailer that needs a little beef? Is it practical to strengthen an existing trailer?

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How To Stop Utility Trailer Bounce

How To Stop Utility Trailer Bounce

If you pull an empty (or nearly empty) utility trailer, you probably know the feeling of utility trailer bounce. It’s that bumpy jolting extra bouncing you feel

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Tandem-Torsion-Axles-Suspension

Video – Testing Twin Torsion Axles

Time to look at the action by Testing the Twin Torsion Axles. Video is a great way to see what’s really happening with the new suspension design!

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New Tandem Torsion Axle Design

New – Smooth Action Tandem Torsion Axles

Over and over we recommend: “Don’t use torsion axles in tandem because they don’t load-share”. Well, What if we make them share? Here’s a new design that brings the benefits of a torsion axle to the tandem axle party

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Folding Trailer Tongue Finished

Building A Better Folding Trailer Tongue

Intrigued by the cool potential of storage space, increased security, and removal of a shin knocker to step over, this new folding trailer tongue adds greater utility to the trailer.

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New Trailer Test Ride

Video – Trailer Test Ride!

When the rubber meets the road, that’s when the feeling of real accomplishment kicks in. This is the first trailer test run for our newest trailer design.

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Secure and Flat Trailer Frame Setup

How To Setup A Trailer Frame Build

Just how do you setup for building a trailer frame? Seems simple enough, just layout the frame members and start welding, Right? Not Quite. Here are some tips for Success.

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All The Steel Cut And Ready For The Trailer Build

Trailer Build – Project Progress

Update on building a new design specialty utility trailer. The trailer build is going well, and we thought you might have interest in following the progress. Especially for some of the experimental new concept features.

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Cost and DIY Project Economics

The Economics of DIY Projects

“I want to build a new trailer.” That’s an awesome thing to say, and it’s even better to do. Yet, many such adventures don’t launch because of project economics? What does it cost to build?

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New Plans for a Perfect Size Homemade Crane

New Size – Homemade Crane Plans

A New Size? OK, MechanicalElements.com has Gantry Crane plans – for years. Now, we just released the Perfect Size Crane for your Garage.

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Storage Tip With Trailer Tongue Hinge

Convenient Trailer Tongue Hinge For Storage

Store your trailer in a smaller space? Consider adding a trailer tongue hinge like these. It’s helpful, for sure, but has some definite things to consider.

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Why Do Some Trailers Tow Stable and Others Not?

Video – Why Do Some Trailers Tow Stable?

The way a trailer tows makes a big difference in the ownership experience. So, Why do some trailers tow stable, while others do not? Even a small trailer that does not behave is intimidating

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How We Make The Plans

How Do We Make The Plans?

What goes into the engineering of do it yourself plans? When you purchase and download project plans from Mechanical Elements, you get a TON

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Learn To Calculate the Axle Position

Trailer Build: Where Does The Axle Go?

Trailer axle position? This is a good question. Unfortunately, there is some popular, but misleading information around.

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Twisting Trailer Safety Chains

The Low-Down On Twisting Safety Chains

Should you twist trailer safety chains to make them shorter?

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Trailer Hitch Safety Chains

Trailer Safety Chains?

Do they accomplish the intended purpose? Or are trailer safety chains just a legal pain in the rear?

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DIY Legacy Tools

What is Your DIY Legacy?

Who influenced your creativity and Do-it-Yourself enthusiasm? Was it your dad? A shop teacher? Or a neighbor that was into cool projects?

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Metal Working Files In Action

The Right Tools – Metalworking Files

Often misused and not very well understood — so goes the life of many metalworking files. Yet, they still do things other tools can’t.

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20ft Deck Tiny House Foundation Trailer Plans

The Wise Man And The Tiny House

There’s an old song about the wise and the foolish man. Goes something like …

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when-customize-the-plans

When is it Safe to Customize the Plans?

At Mechanical Elements, we encourage customers to modify and customize the plans. That’s how you build the perfect project. So, what things can you customize? And what shouldn’t?

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Compare Steel vs. Aluminum in Gantry Crane Beam

Comparison: Steel vs Aluminum – Part 2

In the debate about Steel vs Aluminum in beams like trailer frames and gantry cranes, there is one big piece of the equation you don’t often hear so much about.

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Aluminum Trailer Frame Underside

Compare: Steel vs. Aluminum Trailer Frames & Beams

Aluminum is such a great material. It’s light, strong, and looks sweet to boot. So, why is there a debate about Aluminum Trailer Frames and other beams?

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