Resources
Unit Conversion: distance, area, volume, pressure, etc: http://www.onlineconversion.com/
Metal & Plastic: Material Properties: http://www.matweb.com/index.aspx
Metal Suppliers:
Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass & Copper Online pricing: https://www.midweststeelsupply.com/store/home
State Steel: Steel, Aluminum, and Stainless Steel: http://www.statesteel.com/
Watertown, SD Scrap Steel and New Steel: http://www.tjnscrap.com/wimco.htm
Macksteel Warehouse: http://www.macksteel.com/
Plastic Suppliers:
Acrylic, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, etc: http://empireplastics-sd.com/
Online ordering: http://www.professionalplastics.com/
Aluminum Information:
Anodizing: http://www.anodizing.org/FAQ/faq_cont2.html
Extrusion: http://thelibraryofmanufacturing.com/extrusion.html
Joining Aluminum Extrusion: http://www.aluminiumdesign.net/design-support/joining-aluminium/
Casting Metal:
Professionals: For prototyping needs: http://www.zcastings.com/
Professionals: good information on Diecasting: http://www.diecasting.org/faq/
DIY for sand casting: http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/
DIY for sand casting, this guy is also building a pretty awesome boat and documenting the project: http://www.submarineboat.com/casting_aluminum.htm
DIY for sand casting & patterns: http://www.virtualindian.org/3techcasting.htm
Corrosion and Rust: here’s some good information on that subject, explains both the theory and the practical application: http://www.docbrown.info/page03/Reactivitya.htm
Vehicle Information:
Ignition troubleshooting, here’s some good information on the basics of points, coil style ignition: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/ignition/ig106.htm
Discussion on Spark & Ignition: http://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/838749-ignition-spark-theory-questions/
Chevrolet Trucks, the Stovebolt: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/#big
Manuals: awesome place for Chevy manuals for car/truck 1940’s & 1950’s and FREE: http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/
Chevrolet Trucks, COE (Cab Over Engine): http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/Articles/COE-Scrapbook.php
Welding:
Miller Welding Resource: nice write-ups on the basics for MIG, TIG, Stick and Plasma Cutting: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/
I’m not biased towards either one, so here’s a link to information by Lincoln Welding: http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/education-center/Pages/education-center.aspx
Here’s a good link for information on Welding Symbols and how to use them:
http://www.welding.com/weld_symbols_welding_symbols.asp
Hydraulics:
Basics: http://www.wikihow.com/Hook-up-Hydraulics
Pump-in-Tank: http://www.energymfg.com/williams-manufacturing/pump-in-tank-valve-combinations/pump_in_tank_options.html
NPT, NPTF, ORB, JIC 37 Flare, what’s the difference? Here’s some good links to all things hydraulic for fittings and hoses: http://www.discounthydraulichose.com/Product_Literature_s/39.htm
Hydraulic parts, not much for design info, but easy to find parts and part specs: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_hydraulics
Hydraulic parts: http://hydraulicoutlet.com/categories.asp?cat=5
Metal Shaping:
Really good explanation of metal shaping tools: http://metalshapers.org/101/video/mainmovie.shtml
Miscellaneous Items:
Here is where I ordered the shaft couplers used in the Miller Snow dozer to connect the hydrostatic transaxles to the snowmobile track drive shafts: www.thebigbearingstore.com