Making a JCB loading shovel bucket from scratch. Part 1

If anyone would like to make a contribution to the channel, I have made a patreon account.
patreon.com/SnowballEngineering
In this video I fabricate a bucket for a JCB 426 from scratch.
The shell of the bucket is 6mm (1/4”) its pressed to shape using my old press brake.
The sides are cnc plasma cut out and then have 100x12 flat bar welded on for extra strength.
Once the sides are tacked on the top box is cut out, pressed and tacked into place needing a little persuasion with a wedge.
The Bucket edge is a 200x25mm HB500 edge. Its cut to length using the gas torch, and placed under the bucket.
I then start the welding inside the bucket and also on the edge, precaution is taken welding the edge on by welding every other 10” at a time and also by having it clamped down to the bench.
The bucket is then taken off the bench, tipped on its back and welded round the inside.
The underside is then welded and 150x15mm straps are cut and pressed to fit. These and tacked on using the tacks to mark where the stitch welds need to be.
After welding the straps on the bucket is flipped back the right way up.
Hope you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for watching!
If you would like to contribute to the channel you can become a patron: / snowballengineering
Follow on instagram: / snowball_engineering
Follow on facebook: / snowballengineering

[@JohnWheels]

"I'm no artist" ...proceeds to draw a perfect picture😂

[@kubinka879]

What I admire is your limited equipment. You have ways of still carrying out the engineering. Also your quiet narration is just right.

[@robertpeters9438]

You have earned my "Like before watching" award.

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks very much!

[@davidmuirhead1060]

Thanks to Watch Wes Work, I have now found your channel. Just starting to go through your vlogs but this one brings back memories of of my old landlord and friend, Alistair Symon. He was a wiry, wee lad and I still marvel at what he could turn his hand to in his "smiddy". I have a vivid memory of him bouncing full size flat sheets from one forklift into his brake press, forming the sheets for container sides ( yes, 40ft sea going containers ) and bouncing them back out onto his other forklift - all on his own! I kid you not! I think I have just found the modern version. Well done.

[@JesusThineBeTheGlory]

Using the crowbar to pull the gap together was an ingenious way of doing it, not seen that before. You’re such a skilled workman and it is a pleasure to watch. Thank you All the best from Cornwall 😎👍

[@rukinaa]

I was gonna say the same thing! That's a clever trick to not have to weld a dog on there and drive a wedge, much simpler doing it this way and I'll definitely be putting that in my bag of tricks for welding!

[@Sugarkryptonite]

What time stamp was that at?

[@rukinaa]

@Sugarkryptonite around 35:26

[@Sugarkryptonite]

@@rukinaa Thx!

[@MC-ft8zv]

I'm a long time fan and subscriber of Watch Wes Work. Looked up your channel, as he mentioned it, man am I glad I did! Wes is a highly intelligent man, I knew if he mentioned your channel it was going to be a good one! Love your way of doing things, your cool calm nature, and beautiful work you do. Thank You sir, for a great channel, from a new subscriber in New Zealand.

[@steveg4iwr]

Another great video thanks. I like the visitors at the end lol.

[@Junkboy888]

I cant wait till you start building the Bulldozer for the bucket. LOL. It funny about how we use the different systems of measurements. When I lived in England my British friends would crack on us yanks for fraction as the bar maids would bring us our Half pints of beer and cider. I could usually the conversation by asking how in the hell do you divide a pizza and metrics.

[@BruceBoschek]

Excellent fabrication work! I appreciate all of your explanations and comments about the process. It is also good to see you using the protective gear! Thanks for this instructive and entertaining video!

[@thomasnoteboom1531]

Here's where that over head Crain would be great

[@ThePottingShedWorkshop]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video from start to finish. Occasionally its nice to have a long video to see the process in detail, so I'm not put off by the long run time. Brilliant work, keep it up!

[@astravanmk2]

That was really interesting to see how you go about constructing such a large piece of equipment.

[@andrewham5312]

Nice to see a craftsman at work, keep up the good work.

[@JohnWheels]

If you're interested, 3m makes a quick latch respirator for pretty cheap. You just flip a little latch and it hangs by your chin and flip it back up and it's on tight. That way you don't always ave to take the whole thing on and off. Great video!

[@snowballengineering]

I shall look into this. Thanks!

[@byarnneil1916]

Impressive Craftsmanship, That Bucket is Huge.

[@theessexhunter1305]

Well done, nice work. I have put 3 front edges on one GP bucket as the chap just drives with it on the concrete! So welded AR400 patches all the way along the front edge...better to replace those than keep chopping off a front edge because he likes to wear it out and it is not his!

[@TimS366]

I can tell you have built one or two buckets before! Always interesting to see how other people resolve some of the daily problems of warping and inaccurate pressings, I always learn something new. Brilliant channel, keep it up!

[@davidwootton683]

Great video, many thanks for sharing this with us. One thing about this is, the bean counters can look at all this, and realize just how much work goes into making one of these buckets.

[@AW-Services]

I'm not artist but design and build absolute masterpieces from steel. Incredible skill and planning to produce quality like that

[@2nickles647]

Metal Artist

[@kirkpowell6161]

Another great video! Again I think just the right amount of regular speed and high speed. For what it's worth I enjoy the videos without the music, but if you catch flack for not not having music I have a mute button that is easy enough to hit. 🙂

[@yeagerxp]

You are lot younger than me, You do a lot heavy lifting, I enjoy your videos, I would like you to have a long painless productive life. Back pain is a B**CH. Please invest on a crane. Excellent work 👍👍👍 . Thank you for sharing. Take care of yourself 🇨🇦

[@TattoooedTech]

Welder always sounds so crisp

[@farmerfuller87]

Here because of mention from watch Wes work what a channel you have

[@Gyppor]

I really like your videos so far, I've watched just a few but look forward to going through your catalog. It looks like an overhead trolley crane would be a good addition to your shop!

[@mikeroutledge6929]

I have been a landscaper for 30 odd years, i recently became allergic to wasp stings ( anaphylaxia ) i thought that maybe i would take a welding course and change direction, i have now realised that there is a lot more than just taking a course, you obviously have a lot of experience in what you do, respect mate

[@snowballengineering]

Take the course. You will soon pick up the basics and build your own experience from there.

[@brianalder2234]

I hate to sound like an old person because I don't feel like an old person . Your doing alright ! Good channel , good work ! UK'S answer to Cutting Edge Engineering . 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jamespayne8781]

Pretty cool. Really clean work. I built my own 60 in (1500mm) bucket for an old skid stear. No bending though. I bought a sheet of 3/16 ( about 5 mm) and marked it up on a table in the fab shop which they then sheared down to the various pieces. Took it all home and welded it all up. It was still quite an experience despite having it all cut out. Found a piece of carbon steel for a cutting bar and shanks for teeth. It’s been a good bucket for the last 15 years. It’s more fun watching you do it though. Too bad I couldn’t have watched a video like this before I took it on. You put out and display a lot of information.

[@kordoliver]

Hiya Thanks to Watch Wes Work for letting us know about your channel , like what you doing here so I subbed

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks for the sub!

[@barney2633]

Excellent video. Superb demonstration of skill, ingenuity and hard work. Well done!

[@SPUDHOME]

He sure knows how, makes it look easy.

[@allanwinter4991]

Your old Hyster looks like the ones I used to work on in the 70's. Good machines.

[@darkvuden]

Got recommended this video last night and watched a few more since. Really like what your doing. Looks and sounds like your a local guy too, I’m in the York area

[@snowballengineering]

Me too!

[@lovejcdc]

Excellent video man, definitely my favorite type of welding videos is fabrication from scratch.

[@1leggeddog]

Cheers for wearing the proper PPE for work!

[@septicwhelk3654]

The wreaking bar is genius , thanks mate in 40 years i never thought of it .

[@alanmitchell7322]

well done a very nice job all round.

[@malliz1]

Good idea wearing a mask when grinding I have a friend who developed silicoses from the grinding during fabrication

[@gbentley8176]

Superb video. Shows what ca be done by a skilled craftsman. always love the thought processes and of course the inevitable quirks during fabrication and their solutions. Thank you for posting.

[@danielgriffith7694]

Excellent work 👍 Don’t underestimate your skills 😊 With 50 + years as a Journeyman Machine Repairman, you definitely are a skilled Craftsmen 👏👏👏

[@waynekeeler1442]

Those are some killer welds !!

[@Dr4g0nW00d]

Damn after 12 min in the video wow amazing

[@davepink637]

Great video I enjoyed watching , you are a very skilled engineer, 😊😊😊

[@RyanBe21]

Really got the scale of the build when you got in the bucket to weld.

[@yenerm114]

The crowbar truck was 👌👌 coming along very well bud 👍🤘🤘🤘

[@davetaylor4741]

Very interesting. I love fabricating things from scratch. In wood or metal. But at an entirely different level to you. It is obvious you have made a few of them before. You have the process down to an art. Lovely to watch.

[@cab8188]

Great build Oliver !! Always enjoy seeing your work and process. Impressive

[@normanbuchanan9710]

I say old man that was very well executed.

[@Arfabiscuit]

Hope you get as big as CEE in Australia great stuff

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks, me too!

[@teebee75]

@@snowballengineering get a dog and some funny birds 🙂

[@gutsngorrrr]

For cutting metal instead of oxy, try the Diablo D1472CF Steel Demon Cermet II Carbide Ferrous Metal Saw Blade in a circular saw. It makes amazingly clean cuts.

[@snowballengineering]

I do have a chop saw with a metal cutting blade however the bucket edge is too big to fit in.

[@gutsngorrrr]

​@@snowballengineering Yes, same here, that's why I now use a hand held circular saw with the Diablo blade in it, as it's so much more versatile than a fixed chop saw.

[@1nvisible1]

*I feel like with a little caffeine you could be the next Colin Furze!*

[@brianalder2234]

You got it !! Whatever lines up best on the tape measure ! 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@jasdunlop9907]

I make a few buckets and wile they are normally heavier and stronger built it just about always comes down to price and mostly hard to compete with the big mass produced bucket manufacturer as they will be buying there steel at a better rate than the 1 man band .keep up the good work tidy!! Make sure your charging enough for you premium products 👍

[@daveo6728]

great job

[@goboyz8016]

That is really great work. I understand why you stitch welded the underside of the bucket but I once saw a bucket buckle over time in spots as dirt and sand packed between the straps while digging. The pressure packed the small openings between welds and it retained moisture between the straps and bucket skin causing rust. You may want to weld them up solid so nothing can pack under those straps while cutting through soil. Excellent work!

[@desertdog4727]

I'm with you on this aspect 100% definitely weak spots in the construction, it might be a little time saving now, but not in the overall life of the bucket. I also thought the construction seemed a little light for it's size, though I suppose that may depend on it's specific intended use.

[@johnwarwick4105]

As a user of old equipment I am always amazed by the power of rust along a stitched joint. It will force any thickness of steel apart over time.I bought an Easterby trailer a year or two and was impressed by the continuous welds to prevent this. Looks like a grain bucket so probably not an issue here.

[@frfrpr]

Interesting channel!

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday, brilliant job, thanks for explaining each step, there’s a fair bit of planning that goes into a build like this, throughly enjoyed watching mate and keen for part 2, cheers

[@snowballengineering]

Thanks Matty, glad you enjoyed it.

[@Ivc406]

Hi,brings back memories I was a plater fabricator in local shipyard's when serving my apprenticeship there was many a mishap using flanger but once you mastered hit it was a great piece of machinery glad I found this channel regards from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[@snowballengineering]

I bet there was many tricks to the trade in that job. Thanks for watching!

[@benniemathews9624]

Your channel was recommended by @Watch Wes Work in the USA. I enjoyed your excellent workmanship and the way you explained what you were doing and why. I am a new subscriber.

[@ralphyoung5443]

I must say your welds look great!! New Jersey USA

[@haranwood1232]

Worked at a large bucket manufacturer in Australia and this is almost exactly the way we made jcb buckets

[@Imwright720]

KZbin makes me an expert about this. The steel seems a bit thin for this applicatio

[@snowballengineering]

6mm is plenty thick enough for it’s intended purpose, it’s not a digging bucket or being used in a quarry.

[@alanremington8500]

Awesome build !!

[@marctunney3743]

Such a clever lad amazing

[@PaulToolan]

Cool stuff!👍

[@raindeergames6104]

Dude. Some awesome work🎉

[@bostedtap8399]

Excellent job, always nice to see some "Tweaking Skills " on steel plate. Thanks for sharing

[@hornetboy3694]

Awesome video, amazing work. Thank you Oliver

[@MadMods4u]

great work

[@jaymann]

Great job as always, mate.

[@bombardier3qtrlbpsi]

Nice job 👍

[@carlf8291]

Nice job looks great

[@therealspixycat]

Nice job!!!

[@thepagan5432]

Nice job, takes me back many years to when I was fabricating, not buckets, but hydraulic tanks and other odds and sods. Looking forward to part 2, take care and be well 👍

[@normesmonde5332]

Quality workmanship

[@normesmonde5332]

Wish you worked with me here in Aus.

[@adnacraigo6590]

Mighty good looking work.

[@vernchaput6368]

Excellent video! Only thing I would have added was a coating of Lubriplate "slip plate" as it really helps keep the bucket clean.

[@3in1Machining]

Looking good young an. I'm impressed with your still. Sincerely wish you well with your business.

[@krazykanux]

very professional build, looks clean. very wll done. if you keep ding big buils like this you will need a crane eventually😉... carefull on your back. greetings from canada!!!

[@PiazzaWoodWorks]

Epic work! Love how u take care to mark out your runs and racks

[@Rubbernecker]

Awesome build!!! Very interesting!!!

[@rgthomson1]

I really enjoyed watching that, great job buddy

[@frankk8018]

Thanks for sharing !

[@ramblingman8992]

As an experienced press brake setter/operator, that's the first time I have seen cardboard used to offset the crowning on a bend.

[@snowballengineering]

It works, but what is the proper way?

[@kenwood8665]

Quality workmanship Quality video

[@petercarioscia9189]

As a proud american measurements user... yea anything under a half inch is kind of mind bending. 3/8ths, 3/16ths....like why are we doing this to ourselves haha...Metric is definitely superior for anything under a centimeter. Although having worked in a machine shop, i do appreciate our 1000th of an inch measurements.

[@user-zo3rf5on5w]

Здравствуйте. Пересмотрел все ваши ролики попав на ваш канал после Куртиса. Сам занимаюсь такой же подобной работой не с таких масштабах конечно. Нравятся ваши сварочные маски. Шикарные. У нас такого даже близко нет. Есть что то подобное но цена космос. За 1100долларов.😂 Долбаная жизнь работать и не заработать на что то нужное. Ну а сварочные ваши работы на высоте. Жду новых роликов

[@richardaston6361]

Fair play, that is a big bucket 👍

[@SCORPASRULE]

Excellent work there sir. 👊🏻👊🏻

[@voxxag8054]

You need to make a nice big scissor bench for that type of job. Game changer.

[@snowballengineering]

Yes, that would be great

[@fredsmith4134]

i use to weld these when i was a younger man, the boiler makers would tack them all together and i would have to weld them solid, some took so much continuous welding it would give me sun burn around the welding mask too !!! i use to weld truck tipper bodies too, some took 30 foot continuous welds, from the back tipper tray to the front or the truck cabin end of the tipper body !!!

[@toddplenda5569]

Nice looking bucket nice work 👍

[@MASI_forging]

Great work as always. 👍👍

[@Andreas-tw4cm]

Impressive how you handle that big job!

[@nikxohs3925]

nice work, very strong loading bucket

[@jerryplews1023]

Love watching these. Originally thought the workshop was a jumble sale but you have some fantastic gear in it. Keep up the great videos

[@snowballengineering]

It is a jumble sale! I have too many of my own projects in among my work jobs.

[@paddynfs6452]

I noticed you use the 3M 9100FX welding helmet with Versaflo air pack. You mentioned at 13:20 you have started to use a respirator when grinding (much like you I didn’t use one for many years either) I have exactly the same welding helmet and back pack, an addition I can really recommend is the 3M M200 lightweight grinding screen (doubles up as spraying screen when I need one as well) The 9100FX has the inner clear screen for some minor grinding but limited vision can be an issue hence a M200 is a huge improvement. I am quite a bit older than you and find respirators tiring to wear/use and having a goatee then not 100% guarantee of face seal so with air fed grinding helmet no issues with face fit and nice to have clean easy to breath air. Lovely fabrication of bucket and great use of the tooling you have. Keep up the great work, will always be a job for a fella like yourself 👍

[@snowballengineering]

I shall look into getting a M200, sounds like it would be very useful. Thanks

[@lancewylie8604]

Just don’t fart whilst wearing the air pack

[@paddynfs6452]

@@lancewylie8604 yes that is true, however useful if there is a couple of you working together as you can share via your pipe into their filter pack 😝😝

[@mattybean4039]

Great skill right there 👌

[@chuckgulledge2304]

Very good work

[@stevechambers34]

Great video, you are one very skilled Craftsman!! 👍

[@freshrain777]

Great job-great skills