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.

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!

[kubinka]

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

[robertpeters]

You have earned my "Like before watching" award.

[MC-ftzv]

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.

[leggeddog]

Cheers for wearing the proper PPE for work!

[brianalder]

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 .
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[astravanmk]

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

[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!

[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!

[davidwootton]

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.

[mikeroutledge]

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

[davidmuirhead]

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.

[farmerfuller]

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

[andrewham]

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!

[jamespayne]

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.

[Junkboy]

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.

[AW-Services]

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

[theessexhunter]

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!

[lovejcdc]

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

[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!