From The Mechanic

Trailer Safety Chains?

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

Read The Full Story . . .

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?

Read The Full Story . . .

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.

Read The Full Story . . .

The Wise Man And The Tiny House

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

Read The Full Story . . .

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?

Read The Full Story . . .

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.

Read The Full Story . . .

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?

Read The Full Story . . .

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

Learning good trailer construction by examining bad examples is a great way to focus on the details.  This photo actually shows 4 points of “less that careful thought”

Read The Full Story . . .

Updates On Trailer Design Articles

The most popular pages on Synthesis about Trailer Design are now revised with more content and mobile friendly web design.

Read The Full Story . . .

Force, Displacement & Bloody Knuckles

Is there anything more annoying (painful and frustrating) than busting a knuckle when working on things in the shop?  To many of us, blood sacrifices are just part of getting a project done, but

Read The Full Story . . .

When Should I Build? When Should I Buy?

Interested in a new utility trailer?  Or ATV Hauler?  We have plans for those, but when should you build a trailer?  And, when should you just go out and buy one?

Read The Full Story . . .

Creativity in a DIY Pack Trailer

The coolest thing I saw last week was this guy with a very creative DIY approach to a pack trailer — and, of course, his tow vehicle!

Read The Full Story . . .

The Little Things Make All The Difference

The trailer hitch and surrounding hardware are Oh so important — safety is priority.  Here are examples illustrating one success and one horrific failure.

Read The Full Story . . .

May Is Build Month!

May, the time of new flowers after April showers, is also the time for building that project you’ve been stewing on over the winter.

Read The Full Story . . .

Pre-Stressed Steel Fabrication

The concepts of pre-stressed steel fabrication have been around for ages, but they are not often applied for simple welded structures like trailer frames or crane stands.

Read The Full Story . . .

Visa Gift Card Winner!

We have a winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card!  We sent out the Photo request, and you responded.  Now the drawing, and the winner.

Read The Full Story . . .

Choosing Tandem Axles (and Triples)

It all rides on the trailer axles, so get them right.  Here are some common technologies (and misnomers) for tandem axles and other multi-axle trailers.

Read The Full Story . . .

Trailer Axle: Use Springs? Or Torsion Axle

In the discussion of trailer axle leaf springs versus a torsion axle, let’s put some engineering behind the debate.

Read The Full Story . . .

Do It Yourself, And Use The Right Tools !!

Fun side story about finding the right tools for a do-it-yourself repair. 

Read The Full Story . . .

Gantry Crane I-Beam Clamp – Free Plans

Introducing a new gantry crane product to the Mechanical Elements family of Do-It-Yourself Plans — as Free Plans in our launch celebration!

Read The Full Story . . .

Save Big Buying DIY Project Nuts and Bolts

Have you ever wondered why fasteners like nuts and bolts are so expensive? You would think that something so standard and manufactured in such high volumes would be cheap, but in most places, they’re actually pretty expensive. Why?

Read The Full Story . . .

Did you build it?

Do you have photos? – Do you have a story? We’re interested in your DIY project.  If you purchased plans at Synthx.com or MechanicalElements.com, we would love to see what you built.

Read The Full Story . . .

Creative & Cheap, That’s How To Fixture

Oh, I need to drill holes in 8 parts, all in the same place.  What a pain! And, I need to cut these 5 pieces all to match.  What a hassle to measure, mark, and cut each one!

Read The Full Story . . .

DIY – 7 Ways To Cut Steel

So, you need to cut steel for a DIY project (like a crane or trailer).  Easy, Right?  What’s the best, easiest, cheapest, fastest way of cutting steel?

Read The Full Story . . .

Video – Mig Welding Fire

I grew up with a fascination for metals.  My father was a woodworker, and taught me young, so I have always built stuff from wood.  Metal is different, and welding beats glue in the fun department any day.

Read The Full Story . . .

Trailer Tires? or Automotive Tires?

The topic of trailer tires has come up a hundred times. Why can’t I use automotive tires on my trailer?

Read The Full Story . . .

The Twisted Truth

Need a hole?  Many of our plans require drilled holes, so here are some Tips about drilling in steel, wood, and other materials. 

Read The Full Story . . .

Spiraling Up

Mechanical Elements is back online with a new look, a new logo, new functionality, and a better shop experience. — With — the Same Great DIY Project Plans and so much more.

Read The Full Story . . .