OK I forgot to post something. On the frame rails, on the front. Using an adjustable angle finder, set it to 10 degrees and mark the front of the frame rails from the bottom up. This will give you a rearward tilt (at the top) to the front axle when it is time to weld it on. I used a horizontal band saw to ensure that both were cut to the same angle in the same place.
Here you can see that the distance between the frame rails is 15".
Ok so now both rails are tack welded to the table.
Got the front axle ready to weld on, but first I want to add a 3/4" thin wall square tubing in between the inside front of the rails.
Here is the tubing and the front axle all welded up.
When setting the square tubing in place make sure that the top of the square tubing is even with the frame rails. The front axle gets welded to this square tubing and the frame rails.
Now before welding on the front axle measure for the center between the front rails. If the frame rails are 15" then center should be 7.5" Check from both sides and ensure that it is the center. Now measure you front axle and find the center of it. Now at the 7.5" mark on the center square tubing measure to the right ( as if you were sitting on the mower) 2" and make another mark. This mark and the center of the front axle will be lined up. Clamp it into place and measure from the left frame rail out to the end of the front axle. Record this measurement. Then measure from the right frame rail out to the end of the right side of the front axle. Record this measurement. Now if you will be able to tell if the "offset" as allowed in the USLMRA rules is correct. It is a 4" offset.
With the frame rails still tack welded to the table and the front axle set flat on the table and clamped into place, weld it all together.
Finished product should look some thing like this.
Had a man tell me that my shop was not a shop. He said it was a museum, but in my defense I have a little OCD going on and like to keep it sorta clean and neat. I won't post his name but you all know him and he works up around the middle of Tennessee.
Now that the front is done lets move to the rear of the frame rails. I cut a 2" X 2" X 1/8" section of angle iron 15" long. This gets clamped to the top of the rear frame rails like this.
Because the frame rails are 15" wide and the angle iron is 15" wide it all fits perfectly. Just has to be welded together. Now we have a square frame to build on. More to come so stay tuned.....