Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

DIY Winch

profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
I am almost done with my winch, but i need some kind of plastic cover for the spool so the operator doesn't get sprayed or whipped when the rope comes in. Any suggestions for a material? I feel like plexi-glass will just break if it gets hit when it's cold, but something clear would be ideal.

Click for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger imageClick for larger image
Sep 13 2013 2:40PM
9 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
sorry for the double pics.
Sep 13 2013 2:41PM
0 0
profile picture
CashmereCat
Posts: 2211 - Karma: 2,394
I just use a piece of wood. It's not clear but it works and if it breaks is easily replaced.
Sep 13 2013 4:02PM
1 0
profile picture
SkiersRealm
Posts: 111 - Karma: 105
I would use sheet metal. It is cheap and easy to form up. Our spool is still spraying. We are too lazy to fix it. Nice work on the winch. 
Sep 13 2013 4:15PM
1 0
profile picture
Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
what was your total cost?
Sep 13 2013 6:48PM
0 0
profile picture
NinetyFour
Posts: 8650 - Karma: 13,409
Would a plastic 5 gallon pail from Home Depot cut in half work? Sheet metal would work good, last longer, and look better though.
Sep 13 2013 7:03PM
1 0
profile picture
byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
How big is that motor?
Sep 13 2013 7:52PM
0 0
profile picture
loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
Beauty! Te only thing that I see is you're going to want the diameter of the spool to be bigger, especially if that's only a 5 horse. Don't put a cover on it, keep it grimy
Sep 13 2013 8:42PM
1 0
profile picture
AGOF
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 3,602
is this to stop water spray or from the rope? if it just to protect from the rope just use some chain link fence material
Sep 13 2013 8:49PM
0 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
about $550.
-$100 motor
-$150 torque converter
-$70 for 330' nylon braided rope
-$50 roller fairlead (welding on this weekend)
-$150 for spool parts
-$30 for assorted hardware
-I had the metal and tools
Sep 13 2013 8:54PM
1 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
212 cc. 6.5 hp i think.

Price was right and I have an unlimited warranty/ return policy to harbor freight. Haven't tried it on snow, but it;s too fast on a longboard at full tilt haha.
Sep 13 2013 8:57PM
0 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
My dad is mathy and figured out what the spool size should be with the engine, torque converter and gear ratio with the chain. Hopefully it should work.
Sep 13 2013 8:59PM
0 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
Yours was in freeskier mag last year right?
Sep 13 2013 9:00PM
0 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
Both, keep salty snow off if we use it in the street and prevent the operator from getting hit if the chain pops off or the rope breaks.
Sep 13 2013 9:03PM
0 0
profile picture
Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
my homeboy just put a big piece of plexi glass behind and above his spool and we haven't had any problems with it. however, we primarily use it for waterskiing, so it hasn't seen much COLD weather action. even in cold weather though i can't see it being a problem unless the winch operator doesn't cut the power soon enough and the rope/handle comes flying in at 30 mph
Sep 13 2013 9:21PM
1 0
profile picture
loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
Yes sir. I'm mathy as well and I undersized mine the first time around, and trust me, that looks small. For a 6.5 hp you're going to want to overload it on the lower end to the point that the clutch slips, otherwise at the top end you'll only get like 10 mph which is nothing. I had all of these trials and tribulations during my first iterations, so from a learning standpoint giver er a go like that and let us know how it works!
Sep 13 2013 9:26PM
0 0
profile picture
I_am_a_NASer
Posts: 64 - Karma: 89
Ok, thanks for the advice! I have only tried it on a skateboard so i can't really vouch for the design yet haha, but I am really excited to try it on snow. I'll keep you posted on how it goes/ any changes I have to make.
Sep 14 2013 12:01AM
0 0
profile picture
Casey
Posts: 7832 - Karma: 24,070
I think a sheet of plexi glass would be fine for that, its just rope right? Or double it up if you are worried about it
Sep 14 2013 11:24AM
0 0
profile picture
CashmereCat
Posts: 2211 - Karma: 2,394
Gonna bump this in hopes that I can get some help. So my old engine finally shut down and I can't seem to fix it. I have an extra racing go kart engine laying around, which I think is around 4 hp, and a chainsaw engine laying about. Which would be better for this? The go-kart engine got my old kart going roughly 40+ so I'm thinking it'll be enough but 4 hp seems a little low.
Dec 25 2013 1:57AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)