Custom made long low ramps!

[mikeydude]

quote="Doug"]no worries -- didn't mean to rub you the wrong way

No Doug, it's just my sarcy sense of humour, I am definitely not "rubbed up the wrong way"

[rip]

I agree with Doug's point though. The join creates a shearing stress at the weld. Surely that must be a bad thing? Having the upright underneath the top frame eliminates this.

[mikeydude]

yes, I can understand the concern, we have tried butt welding the uprights

The result is that the downward strength was better, but more cross bracing would be needed as the the whole assembly is more prone to colapse from a side\ downward (lateral) force. due to the reduced strength of the weld.

The force needed to tear off the side supports as they are considerable, as either a lever force or shearing force. and since the matal is very thick it would take many many years for the welds to be damaged by corossion especially if they were painted.

In fact, to put it this way...I would much rather rely on the side weld than a more easily broken butt weld, although I suppose that if one butt weld broke it would at least still hold the ramp by virtue of it's position under the ramp...not that the ramp would colapse if one weld sheared anyway the other supports would hold it.

My dad suggested that if the angle steel was cut and bent at right angles at the top (sort of making a right angled tab) then this, when welded to the underside of the ramp, would make it almost as strong as the side weld with the added protection of default support in the unlikely event of the weld braking which seems to be the concern voiced by people.

We could do this but the added work will add considerably to the price.


It looks as though we would be selling these at £150 a pair with £20 delivery.

[mikeydude]

Right, Spoke to daddydude...he says that he can butt weld the uprights underneath without any problem as standard.

They have been tested using a two ton Vauxhall frontera for several days and continually being backed on and off.

they come painted in silver hammerite at a price of £150 per pair with £20 delivery. they are custom made so delivery will be upto two weeks.

[mikeydude]

Daddy dude called me again to say the he will cut an L shape into the end of each support so that it is welded up the side and supported underneath.

his will ensure the strongest of Joints.

[ailwyn]

Just for comparison the EZ-Up ramps, which have the detachable ramp, are (IIRC) £260 delivered.

http://www.restorationramps.co.uk/phdi/ ... ent&part=3

They claim a 13" height, but have not heard of any Elaner using them so don't know about any clearance issues.

[mikeydude]

I don't like the look of the joining bit, it does not look very strong to me.

I am thinking about thr idea of a detachable ramp section.

[M100 TWO]

Mike it will make access from the side so much easier having used a pair in the past they are wonderfull to use
john

[mikeydude]

Yes, I think we will do a version with removable ramp sections.

[GeoffSmith]

Yes, I think we will do a version with removable ramp sections.

For old buggers like John and I who can't make if from the front? If you were really clever, the removable piece could double as a zimmer.

[mikeydude]

Yes, I think we will do a version with removable ramp sections.

For old buggers like John and I who can't make if from the front? If you were really clever, the removable piece could double as a zimmer.

Yes I like that...I will but some thought to it.

[M100 TWO]

They must have casters

[mikeydude]

I think we will "casterside" that suggestin

[Sy V]

Interesting...

[GeoffSmith]

Interesting...

Mike and Tania from Rochdale. Now who could that be?

[mikeydude]

It is I!! ...We....Us...the one and only.

Here is an update....

I have sold a couple locally and one set online.

It's just an experiment really to see if there is a market for them...I have had loads of calls from people with ordinary cars where the standard ramps are of no use.

I think I would need to invest in jigs and a mig welder plus a proper steel cutting saw as people only seem to want to pay about £120. and to make them for that we need to make them quicker.

Plus they all seem to want modified versions taller, wider all sorts!!

We will have to see how it goes, I have not posted much on here as not many people seemed interested, I think I put an approx price of £150 on here in one post....but it now Looks like they are going to be sold for £120 but if custom versions are wanted then it's still £150

....my dads an old bloke you know, can't see him making that many..but it fills a gap in the market.

I asked an engineering company if they could make them....they wanted 80 to 100 quid each just in labour!!!!!!

[M100 TWO]

Mikey what has happened to the removable ramp sections?

[mikeydude]

As mentioned, any arrangement can be done as custom units.

We are just standardising on this one.

I can whizz a piar together that have separate ramp and stand sections.

I will but a couple of bolts through that are hand tight, maybe with a handwheel on them so they can be easily undone.

[ailwyn]

Mikey,

What's the cost of a set of the standards if purchased through LEC by cheque (any saving on ebay listing and paypal)? Or do you just prefer to use ebay?

Thanks

Ailwyn

[mikeydude]

What do you think is a fair price, the metal, welding rods and paint come to about forty five quid and at the moment they take an entire day to build! since we don't have a metal cutting saw or a mig welder. Plus the welder dimms the lights it takes that much power so dunno what poor dads electric bill will be.

I thought that if we made 60 quid then between two people for a days work that's £30 each....Hmm T(hat's even if I don't put it through the company books ..you can say goodbye to another 20 percent of that) so, not looking so good really,

now ebay\paypal take £11.67 as well, plus the courier costs 23.70 not the 20 quid we charge.

So if I put them on for

£120

minus costs

£45 for bits
£1 for electric perhaps
£15.37 total ebay costs

thats £61.37 costs without any labour, so we will say our time is free.

then if we sell them for £120 with £20 delivery, then we make £58.37

divided between the two people that make it!! £29.18 !

cutting the metal jigging it all up and welding, then finally painting takes a good five hours that's £5.88 an hour!!!! that's £4.71 after tax.

How about....£110 with £10 delivery then....that means I would be earning more if I cleaned toilets......I hope you are sad for me!!