The Bucket Ear Project

[@harleyghost]

I have worked doing multi-craft work for sometime now, but I enjoy seeing your videos. Your workmanship is outstanding. Thank you for sharing your knowledge to be passed on to the younger generation.

[@joeskittino6659]

Keith you're a complete badass with the tools. Not a lot of guys out there really accomplish a good result every time like I've seen in your videos. Great camera quality and sound. keep up the good work and go ahead and bump up your price whatever you charge. Very very few people can do the work you do and even less can do it with the patience you have. Keep it up

[@ypaulbrown]

Wonderful Project Keith , first watched back in 2012, still fun to watch again.....hope the new shop is comfy.......best wishes from Florida, Paul

[@johnward5890]

Good job! I am also a machinist/fabricator/welder for 40 years Having my machines doing work all over north America.

[@davidsgarage44]

Your ears are going to outlast the entire machine, nice work,actually amazing work.

[@jimzivny1554]

I've rebuilt, repaired and modified too many buckets over the years, that's a dam nice job. I never had the resources you have and only once did I have a customer who didn't need it finished two days ago and working in the field makes you become very "creative", I wish I could have done them all like this, they'd all still be in use. great job

[@cortbridjmohan2359]

Me too

[@craftchick674]

Awesome work. I never saw something like this before. The tip with adding welds to keep it strait was a very good information. Thank you very much.

[@FredMiller]

Great video especially on how to control the minuet movements of the plates by adding weld to keep the bores aligned. Thanks for another great learning tool..

[@MrEh5]

People keep saying you should have your own show. If you are approached think long and hard about it. You may see short term gains,but your life will be turned up side down, and when they are done with you you are left with nothing. Keep true to your core values your family and customers. cheers.

[@EarthshipFreedom]

That mount is so beefy ,I think it would work for a bucket 3 times bigger. Awesome. Thats not easy to do. Those pins slide to perfection. Great work.

[@HoodWeldingandFabrication]

Very nice work. Great job explaining your process to get everything the way it should be.

[@johnhuey3211]

Nice job Keith!! Always turnin out A+ work! Keep on doing what you do!

[@neilreid9005]

Really nice work, my man. Excellent vid quality also- angles, lighting, close ups. Top shelf operator; not many guys can machine and weld this well. Enjoyed watching your work. Carry on!

[@ghillbilt9750]

I love the glove "shin protectors"!

[@Mentorcase]

Brings back memories of my first year as a boilermaker apprentice, boss said pins have to go in without a sledge hammer.

[@joetiller1031]

Great fab job I would say your parts is the best part of the bucket you are the man.

[@RandallMoore1955]

Hi Keith, Great job. The operator will indeed be a happy camper, Or i should say a happy digger.

[@illdrag]

hi Keith just wanted to leave you a comment letting you know that i enjoy watching your videos.thanks for taking the time to make them.very instructional and entertaining.i look forward to when you and jody put out new videos.Thanks again,Kris

[@weldweld5629]

Really wish you showed more of the welding/fabrication jobs that come in your shop. 👍👍

[@C2welder]

Im no machinist but your work looks great. Im am a welder however and your welding is amazing. just wishing i had all those tools

[@inthewoods5640]

You’re a true craftsman thanks for your videos!

[@sawyer426]

this is some very precise and nice work..great job

[@atcaleb]

If you would add one of Jody's Tig Fingers to your toolbox you could prop and steady your rod after the pre-heat! I hear you throw his name out time-to-time, give him a few bucks and get yourself one. You both seem to be genuine people, who work hard, and deserve respect.

[@ChrisLawley43]

Great videos and great music couldn't ask for much more

[@Branistar]

You could maybe make a video about how to make one, these are simple devices with a few details to make sure you get them right (grounding) but they make the life of a welder so much easier.

[@osbornebay944]

Good work, I am doing a set of ears for a 18" service trenching bucket for my EX50.

[@johnw.peterson4311]

Beautiful words. Great job sir.

[@KnolltopFarms]

Nice piece my man, very nice! Talk about putting lipstick on a pig though, that poor bucket was beat, but I'm sure that customer was stoked on the job you did for him! Aloha...Chuck

[@SteveRobReviews]

Fantastic!! Did you make the welding turntable?,I have to make one of those. Great idea.

[@billarroo1]

Nice precision job !!

[@phillipkrywosa9554]

Tack weld a scrap piece across to top of ears, it will keep them from warping.

[@eddiekawecki2510]

No it won't. They'll tweek as soon as you cut the pieces off.

[@ZS6JMP]

That a neat indicator you use for centering the holes on the mill. What brand is it and whats it called. Thanks

[@PMPiper86]

rod holder is sweet. I gotta make me one of those!

[@KeithFenner]

Yes the rod is slipped in and then you twist the head to tighten it. the brand and style that I like is the Bernard Stub.

[@WAVETUBE84]

Gota like the pin fit/alignment. Sure will make bucket changing easier and add to overall strength. I've seen back-hoe operators and excavator operators "hammer" those buckets into cement and rock. They just aren't meant/designed to "jack-hammer" (take that abuse) . They are designed as a power scooper. If the time or proper equipment isn't available (or it is a rental, hee hee), the contractor's house mortgage is due... you just gota move some dirt and "gitter-done". Hey, more work for you $!

[@AtheistOnTheEdge]

A line borer makes life a lot easier when you're welding plates on buckets.

[@therealspixycat]

Nice job! Again!! Enjoy your video's a lot Keith! I noticed that you put the shaft back in while welding: are you afraid that the aligment? You could temporary connect the top of the ears to prevent movement of these 2 ears that can move freely on the top

[@Jacob-64]

This is the very first video of yours I watch ,and I've found myself back here again and realised we have something in common. We both have scrawny legs lol . Anyways.... Looking at the time and materials you've use ,where I come from ( Scottish Highlands,and we are as tight as it gets with our money ) it probably would've have been more cost effective to buy a new bucket ? . Anyways I'm a huge fan of your work and you work ethic is second to none. Thanks Keith and keep em coming 😁 Sean

[@localcrew]

Those angle braces/gussets complete the picture. What kind of stinger is that that you're using? I haven't seen one like that used before. Looks as if the rod just pokes right in there.

[@erikgrahn3363]

a horizontal boring mill woulda been perfect for in line boring them pin bores after welding

[@phillipkrywosa9554]

Another way to do that job,is to take the ears welded to a plate, fasten it to the top of a lathe carrage with a bar with a tool bit in it mounted between centers, then when completed weld this as a unit to the bucket.

[@todlindley8101]

Top Quality Job- Respect

[@pirobot668beta]

My shop teacher called that 'weld dressage', using the weld heat/contraction to deflect a part. It is the opposite of staggering welds to prevent warping.

[@briangoetz65]

I love your videos. wholdent you bore the i.d of the bushings after the ears are welded on to correct distortion from the welding to the bucket ?

[@Ross_Dugan]

What's the indicator called that you were able to hold still while the spindle spun and you were able to center the bore with the spindle of the mill? Thanks. I'm enjoying your videos.

[@KeithFenner]

No, I was given that weld positioner as trade for labor, then I did some repairs to it and added the four jaw chuck!

[@jeremydoblinger3609]

shorts and a cutoff lolz..gotta love it..

[@todlindley8101]

Hmm !!! Is that bucket worth it ????????

[@Kalkaekie]

Great work !

[@jonl40]

very slick set up

[@obfuscated3090]

Good video, thanks for posting it for those of us who may do such repairs but haven't yet. "at 8:40 you're talking about how to move the plates with weld. I don't understand this and cant find any info online about it. do you have a diagram or another video that goes over this in detail?" There is no "diagram", just practice, observation, and experience. He didn't burn it in with pins in place because it's quite possible for the moving ears to jam the pins, and they of course get in the way of making the inside welds. If you are new to welding, weld some scrap and notice where things move when they get hot. It can be dramatic and tack welds can't control all of it.

[@KeithFenner]

I don't have any other at this time but if the occasion comes up with a project of the same needed procedures, I will try to cover it with more depth. ;{)-----

[@KeithFenner]

@Bonfield2002 No I didn't make the turn table, got it though a trade deal. I did adapt the four jaw chuck to the face plate, also have a three jaw for it but rarely use it...

[@peggyaltizer4538]

good work nice tunes

[@vincentdicenzo1831]

Well executed my friend, I can defiantly tell u have some stick time under your belt. Its too bad that buckets a piece of junk. keeping those pin holes lined up is no easy task.

[@Coffieman5150]

Keith how many hours did this job take? And how quick could you do it if you were asked to rush with money being no object.

[@AdversityZone]

when a weld cools it will shrink a bit (smaller than the eye can see) but it will pull the plate over in the direction of the new weld say you have 2 plates in a T and you want it at 90Deg if you weld down just 1 side the plates will no longer be 90 to eacher if you run a weld down the side that is bigger than 90Deg it will pull the plate over closer to the 90Deg you want its almost a black are to get correct it comes with lots of doing it and learning how it will react

[@MrJFoster1984]

Quality Craftmanship

[@appalachianstillhunter6534]

Nice job!

[@haynillesen]

Hi Keith ,nice work but machining parts ,welding them and machining again is a bit superfluent,machining the bushings on a lathe had been enough. It s like you show it ,you weld it and it distorts

[@overtheclouds9]

Why not use strong backs on the ears so they don’t flex while you weld them out? I’ve used them on big 40’ inserts and little 4” Inserts. I never had to rework the plates due to heat distortion. Everything stays put.

[@30timson]

Привет, хорошая работа првда у нас метрическая система измерения,но я понял уважаю ваш труд!

[@SparkeyDogfish]

Why didn’t you leave the pins in when you welded? Incase something moved they could get stuck?

[@hfdzl]

Many hours of educational material Keith. Keep up the good work! A question, what is the blue indicator tool @ 3:20? Who makes it? Always like to buy new tools for the shop. HF

[@KeithFenner]

It is a Fowler ;{)------

[@1995jug]

Hey man i like your work and your music, the music now days is nothing but noise.

[@balazsmuhely3107]

NICE JOB!!!

[@engenhoqueiroz]

I see that the quality of their parts are similar to an industrialized one! is very well...

[@KeithFenner]

I believe i was working with about .002" to .003" clearances on the pin to hole fits. I hope I got the right translation and answered your question! Thanks for watching!

[@KeithFenner]

Thanks for the Comment!

[@mgman71]

nice job on the bucket... to bad the bucket isn't very good

[@rusty6583]

Bucken legs. Who's ur fav football team??? Bucken eers ??

[@KeithFenner]

@DieselCrawler86 The owner said, it would give his welder something to do, to keep busy...

[@stevietenbears]

Put the ears on the bucket brace them, weld them, insert collars ,weld them, insert brass bushings remove braces use hole grinder to fine tune shaft fitting. Done.

[@KeithFenner]

Well you got a few more videos to watch to see I have the three pack already! LOL:)

[@bennyrlove]

before plasma cutter?

[@ZerokillerOppel1]

Ah yes those are typical American style welding rod clamps. I prefer the ones with the depressing lever.

[@KeithFenner]

No they bought and supplied the pins, shelf items are always cheaper. ;{)---

[@KeithFenner]

No that was just before the PlasmaCAM up completely up and running! ;{)-----

[@nareshkakar5790]

great god bless you Krishna's mercy be upon you

[@bulletproofpepper2]

nice video

[@krazziee2000]

nice job

[@KeithFenner]

It’s a Lufkin, Coaxial indicator…

[@KeithFenner]

I do wear some, here and there, when it is wicked hot, it is less, but always never pushing my own limits, just like the time limits of being outside, bareback. ;{)-----

[@VicMartin80]

I would of added some stiffners to take the stress off the bottom plate.

[@dougspair]

Did you cut those plates on your Plasma-cam table?

[@KeithFenner]

The pins were fit in the holes for each step of the project that needed to be fit. ;{)-----

[@KeithFenner]

Thanks for the comment Kris ;{)---

[@alphasxsignal]

I hope you got paid good for it.

[@davetractor8742]

Would the holes warp so much that you needed to re-bore them after welding? I noticed that you did, and I have a similar project, and no milling machine.

[@KeithFenner]

You can give them a bit more clearance and you may not need to but the play may be extra clearance you have to deal with. ;{)-----

[@Gottenhimfella]

Another way, for anyone lacking a boring facility, would be to make them slightly undersize, and then use an expanding reamer (by hand) with a pilot. One advantage (I suppose) would be you could delay this until after the ears were welded to the bucket, making weld distortion less of an issue.

[@KeithFenner]

I used 7018, if they would of been on something of better quality, I would of maybe gone with 8018 ;{)----

[@30timson]

какой зазор был между палцем и отверстием?

[@johncullison3314]

What welding rod did you use?

[@sariefidoe6722]

why are you heating it up before weld

[@pollepost]

How about PPE? Welding in short sleeves..? I hope you have good skin condition.

[@gavinmondor9691]

+pollepost And with shorts on.

[@pollepost]

***** 1:40 where is the jacket? I see a short shirt??

[@daveberry3853]

pollepost ,

[@bobgrassl1436]

I can't believe it.. Your one tuff son of a bitch,doing all that work with skin exposed to all those ultra violet rays..

[@grasspro104]

Why you use 7018 rods ?? Why not 6010 or 6011 for deep penetration ??

[@DieselCrawler86]

For the hole 20 mins it would take to repair the cracks all over that small bucket why not just do it and have it done? The small cost VS it being able to go right back into service seems like a little to no choice.

[@hubertbehrendt1438]

Why are you heating it up before welding it ?

[@KeithFenner]

Hubert Behrendt To lessen the shock of the heat during welding and keeping it in uniform shape. ;{)------

[@hubertbehrendt1438]

Thanks for reply & i will remember to do it before welding

[@ZerokillerOppel1]

+Keith Fenner Not only that but to eliminate moisture too. Not to mention that welding goes a lot smoother when the materials are pre heated.

[@henri-noeldenier1900]

+ Hubert Behrendt

[@aux789]

Hi Keith, What material would you choose for making pins and bushings for an excavator arm? The line boring videos were awesome by the way. Learning a lot and having fun.

[@KeithFenner]

I would probably use 8620 or one of the 4000 series alloys depending on the type of heat treating I had available to me. If you can still buy the pins and bushings, if your able to use stock sizes, they most likely are cheaper than you could make them, for a paying job. If you were not counting your own labor and wanted the experience, it could be a fun job. ;{)------

[@astro1218]

The heat from the welding distorts the steel plate and pulls it in throwing off the alignment of the pin.