Weld on Receiver Tubes

The weld on receiver tube prices have more than doubled so it made more sense to make them here for a whole lot less.  Although the price floats around a little the Curt brand has gone up to around $25 on Amazon for the 6" long one, and they can make them a lot cheaper than I can.   

I'll put all the details about making one in here so it will make it easier on everyone else.

Part 1.  The outer tube for a 2" x 1/4" accessory (what slides inside) needs a 2-1/2" x 3/16" tube.  This allows for the little play needed when they are used. The cuts are 6" on mine or whatever you need if you're doing something custom.

 

Part 2.  Drilling the holes.

I ordered some 21/32" Cobalt drill bits for the holes, this is the size on factory made tubes, hitches, etc.  The pins are 5/8" and the 21/32" is inbetween 5/8" and 11/16" giving a little play so things aren't too tight.  You can find them on Amazon at a good price for a 3 pack, they are here -  21/32 Cobalt Drill Bits    I've drilled almost 50 holes with one of them so far and it hasn't had a need to be sharpened yet and still drills great.

The backset to the center of the hole is 2-1/4".  The biggest thing is make sure to do both holes on a drill press or something to make sure they line up good and you don't have to fight putting the pin in.  I used the mill because it was easier to set each one up when making a lot of them at once.  You can see the piece of steel in the second pic, behind the tube to set up the tube for drilling.

 

Part 3.  The outer collar.

If it's for a Wheel Horse or something light like a 4 wheeler or something smaller you could really skip this step.  If you decide to do the collar they are made from 3" x 1/4" tubing cut to 5/8" wide.  They will fit the main tube nicely.  

 

Part 4. 

Now you have all of the pieces you need.  Deburr and make sure everything is clean and ready to weld the collars on. 

The collar will be welded on the side closest to the hole.  4 good welds on the corners is more than enough. 

 

As far as making things to use in the receiver just use 2" x 1/4" tubing and weld whatever you want on it.  Now you have something to use on your Horse, truck, trailer, or whatever. 

The next to last post is the front Tach-A-Matic receivers we make.  Details on them and how we make them are here -   Tach-A-Matic Receiver Hitch  

The last post is the trailer receivers we make.  Details on them and how we make them are here - Trailer Receiver Hitch

Nothing better than having one piece of equipment fit everything everywhere. 

Minus the ones I'm getting ready to use, the rest are painted and ready to be put in stock.  One more project done.