News
January 8, 2013
UPDATED
Introducing GatosBros
GatosBros website is up and running, and parts are in-stock, ready to ship.
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April 12, 2011
UPDATED
GIVEAWAY: Ron Davis radiator
Raising money for the BlueRibbon Coalition. Click for details.
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March 30, 2011
building a custom trailbike (Honda CRF + XR250R)
Since I can't buy a modern XR from Honda, I decided to build my own. Stuffing an air-cooled XR250R engine into a CRF450 chassis.
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March 27, 2011
working with composites
My background is primarily in metal fabrication, but I've started working with composites recently and am really enjoying this. There's no magic to it, but a bit of a learning curve. People ask me about the fiberglass and the dust, and all I can think to say is that it beats grinding dust and black boogers!
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March 9, 2011
UPDATED
free CAD software from makers of SolidWorks
Take a look at this free 2D CAD software application called DraftSigh. It was developed by Dassault, makers of SolidWorks, and it's completely free to download/use. Even better, it's available for PC, macs, and linux platforms.
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February 15, 2011
new project: monster motorhome
In December of 2008 I decided to pack it all in and hit the road. Load up my dogs and my bikes and go wander through what's left of the wild west, keeping an eye out for places where I might eventually like to buy some land and build a place to live.
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February 10, 2011
UPDATED
Long-Travel Tacoma Reborn
Tore the Tacoma all apart for another major overhaul. Finally finishing-up all the little details. Had the whole back half of the truck sandblasted, did a bunch of fab work, and it's being sand-blasted/painted right now. Then it's off the the upholstery shop...
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Recent Articles
3.4L V6 Tacoma Engine Conversion
The 1st generation Toyota 4Runner (‘84-89) was one of the all-time, best-styled, most functional SUV’s ever made. It was almost a perfect formula: a rugged chassis and dependable drivetrain components, two doors, four seats and a removable hardtop. The only thing missing was an engine.
Milwaukee V28 Cordless Powertools Product Review
It’s a good idea to look at the full range of compatible tools when you’re shopping for any cordless power-tool because you don’t want to have to buy different batteries and charging systems for any additional cordless tools that you may buy in the future. I didn’t have a chance to do any comparison-shopping before ordering these tools, but a quick Internet search confirmed that Milwaukee’s V28 tools were light-years ahead of most other cordless power-tools.
JMR Tubing Notcher Product Review
It’s a shame that the JMR tubing notcher has to be labeled a holesaw notcher, because it’s NOTHING like the cheap holesaw notchers that most of you are probably familiar with. In fact, forget that you’ve ever seen a holesaw notcher before. As an exercise in design, the JMR tubing notcher is a complete success. The craftsmanship and quality is evident in every feature and detail.
JD2 Model 4 Tubing Bender: Part 2
Picking up where “our last tube bending article left off, let’s install a die-set. All JD2’s dies are labeled with the diameter and the centerline radius....
JD2 Model 4 Tubing Bender: Part 1
This is the first installment in a series of tube bending-related articles that we’ll be publishing in The Chop Shop over the coming months. Just like the welding articles, we’re going to cover the basics and then move into the more technical stuff. Let’s start by taking a look at different tube bending methods and types of equipment.