Originally Posted by
Nightshade
These homemade rack will never, ever, hold much weight side to side due to simple inertia... ....This is where welding can win the day... ...For this application it's welded rod or forget it.
This is why I keep advocating that all DIYer's should buy themselves a welder! I have a lot of tools but hands down my welder is my favorite. Mine is nothing fancy- a 115V flux-core wire feed welder. It cost about $400 at Northern Tool. I also have an auto-darkening mask, a couple angle grinders, and a metal cutting chop saw. [oh how I lust for a metal cutting bandsaw as well]
Not that there is anything wrong with nut-n-bolt construction but welding is just so much more versitile and there are a lot of great application for utility cycling improvements.
This is my home made front rack (welded):
And the hitch mechanism for my trailer too:
(I also welded the axle for the trailer but I have no pics to share)