Originally we wanted to make the raft how most people do, wood and barrels. However, after settling on a size, we quickly realized that wood and metal barrels are quite heavy.

Eventually, after tossing around ideas ranging from aluminum square channels and dock pieces, we settled on 6 premade plastic pallets and 8 plastic food-grade barrels. The combination left us with a very sturdy initial platform to build our raft on.

Prior to settling on a pontoon orientation, we experimented 4 sets of 2 side by side barrels but determined that the water resistance and transportation would be a challenge.

The first task was to secure each pallet together over the length of the raft and then the width. To accomplish this we took 12 foot pressure treated 2x4s and hammered them into the fork spaces of the pallets.

Hammering the 2x4s into the pallets proved to be difficult so clamps plywood cutoffs were used to align the pallets.

Once hammered through the length, the 2x4s were hammered as close to the edges as possible and screwed into place with long wood screws through the bottom of the pallet. This processed was repeated for the other set of three pallets.

The two sets of three pallets were then secured together by drilling holes through the 2x4s and running cut lengths of 3/8 inch threaded rod between them. These were secured with nylon lock nuts and washers.

Another experiment with mounting the barrels, this time with steel strapping to the hammered 2x4s, this ended in abject failure.

Our raft now needed a way to get around, for this we went with a small 3.5 HP outboard off Amazon.

Being a 2 stroke that runs off a gas-oil mix we had to break-in the motor per the manufacturer manual, very loud in a suburban driveway…

The project was then moved to a different location and sat for a while before being picked back up this year. We discovered that the threaded rod held the pallets together, but didn’t stop them from flexing and coming loose. To address this we added 2x4s along the top and bottom short edges and bolted them together.

We also added a ladder off the front for swimmers to get back on.

No raft is complete without carpeting and shade! This pavilion off Amazon with mounting holes in the feet was able to bolt with nicely through the pallet deck. We also tested a few types of carpeting and turf before settling on marine “boat bunking” carpet.

Using leftover 2x4s we built a motor transom off the back.

The end result was too large for our trailers and had the barrels attached on-site. Due to the motor, the raft had to be registered as a boat with the DNR and required a licensed operator.

IT FLOATS…always knew it would…

The Wisconsin River is quite shallow in some places and requires the use of our high-tech stick.

When the river was deep enough, the small motor had no problem moving the raft at a blistering 5 MPH!

To say the raft was a hit with friends on the trip would be an understatement, the 8 of us spent most of the time enjoying the sun as we floated down the river.

Unfortunately, the trip was not without incident. As we were disassembling the raft at our take-out point, a strong gust of wind blew over the decking and crushed our plastic light and fire extinguisher mounts. Luckily, no one was hurt and we got the raft and barrels back on the trailer.

That’s likely it for this year, river levels continue to fall in the summer months and would make the trip much harder. We’ll likely revisit this project next year and make improvements on the weight and transportation side. 

Written by Michael Reichard

Thanks to Tom, Kevin, Matt N., Bob, Mike, Shane, Elizabeth, Adam, Sean, Kristin, Amanda, Jason, Aaron, and anyone I might have missed who helped get this together!

I pose next to the completed thing. Intense!!!

David

Jason gets a little crazy with the building! (click for more hot photo action!)

Giant Arduino Board (1 of 2)

Flags!

Tom Testing the flags!

David

View out the window.

View out the top from inside.

View of the seat and window.

Safety is everyone’s job.

That is one mad machine!

David

David

The “South Shore Frolics” formerly known as the “South Shore Water Frolics” is a Bay View institution. The current celebration of summer & joy starts on Saturday July 16th at 11:00 in the morning with a parade leading to South Shore Park, after which there is a festival and a variety of activities including fireworks for the remainder of the weekend. The Frolics is an event that I have participated in as long as I have been alive, and it is a very integral part of my summer. Of course I was thrilled when the Makerspace agreed that this was a worthwhile use of our time and talents.

Our goal for Milwaukee Makerspace’s representation in the parade is to produce some electric vehicles, ride some previously produced power wheels racers, as well as present a unique parade float. 

Thus far the main work was completed by Tom Gralewicz who re-powered the Makerspace’s “pots of gold” (two electric vehciles that have a parade heritage) with new motor controllers. Now that we have two functioning platforms, we of course wanted to turn one of them into an 8′ mechanized cylindrical sign. (that will resemble a beverage container) 

The build on that commenced last evening. Here are some photographs from the madness & joy:

Matt N. always measures twice and cuts once. 

I don’t know how many times these guys measured, but they always made the right cut!

Here the team cuts the circular bases that will anchor the piece. In the background, there is a serious discussion about logicstics…or something. 

Matt G. shows us the pride that comes with making.

Kevin B. tests out the fit and finish of the first circular support on the vehicle platform.

So far so good! I can’t wait to see how this comes together!

Come and see us at the South Shore Frolics Parade!
Saturday July 16th, 2011
Parade starts at KK & Lincoln at 11:00am
Joy will be had by all!
If you consider yourself a Milwaukee Maker, you are welcome to walk the parade rout with us & represent making in Milwaukee!