The DIY Plans section on Synthesis (synthx.com) that was called "By The Way" has now found its new home at MechanicalElements.com. All the DIY Plans are now available there.
Over the years Synthesis has created many plan sets for trailers, shop tools and other cool things, then published the DIY Plans online as do-it-yourself projects. For many years they were in a section of this website called "Buy The Way". Hundreds of things built from these plans are now in use around the world. Yes, on every continent except Antarctica.
Most of the plans come from our projects with roots in things we want or need for ourselves. A great example is in the Case Study for a Twin Torsion Walking Beam Suspension -Part 1 and Part 2. We wanted the cool suspension that combines 2 wonderful technologies, so we designed it, built it, then made DIY Plans for it. Now you can get the plans and build one yourself.
Then, another Case Study in Tiny House Trailer Design. Both of these examples show the Engineering Design and Product Development Processes in action. Now blueprints from these and many other projects are in the Mechanical Elements Store and ready for you. Join the many that make these items and have them in use all over.
Example: Mobile Gantry Crane
A few years ago, we needed a small, movable gantry crane - something that was high enough to work under, yet something that could easily be taken down, put in the truck, transported, and reassembled quickly at the next place. It needed to be compact when disassembled, yet strong enough to lift a vehicle. The disassembled pieces needed to be appropriate for one person to lift and move around. The crane is mobile (on wheels), but for safety, it sits down tight when a load is there. (You don't want a big load rolling away on its own!)
We looked and looked, but there was nothing out there to buy that fit the need. So, we ended up creating our own version of the crane we needed.
We have traveled with this crane and used it to lift equipment, race cars and motorcycles, and help other folks with their projects. The sweet and simple design has caught the attention of many people who ask "Where did you get that crane?" Then, the immediate follow-on statement "I want one." Or the question "Will you make me one?" So, we put the project DIY plans online.
The same scenario played out with the first couple trailers we designed and built. People see and sense the difference in design, and they like it.
After many requests for blueprints, we sat down and put it all on paper (well, electrons in CAD first), of course. Then, we made the DIY plans available online, and now everyone has access. All of the blueprints along with complete instructions are ready for download at Mechanical Elements.com
Engineering In Action
Then there is the "Winching Pole" (as we like to call it). It is the perfect solution for lifting a load without the hassle of a chain fall, or a come-along, or overhead winch. To manage heights, we needed something that did not require the headspace of most other lifting options. We also want something super easy to operate from not right under the crane, so we got creative.
The "Winching Pole" is a perfect example of on-the-spot brainstorming and engineering. Innovation in action as we like to call it. We had the need, thought about it, brainstormed a bit, then built the first prototype on the spot. It evolved, of course, but the fundamentals are still awesome.
As you can see in the image above, it is not unlike a super stout fishing pole with cable for a line. The "reel" is a hand winch with low gears for easily lifting heavy loads. As silly as it seemed at the time, this has proven to be one of the best shop crane accessories ever. Seriously, I love being able to lift from a little distance (not right at the load), not have something immediately in the way (like the chain from a chain fall), have a lever to move the load (push and pull along the gantry I-Beam), and minimal head height is required under the beam. It is a perfect crane accessory - at least for me.
Project Plans for the Winch Pole are now available.
DIY Plans At Mechanical Elements
The things you can build from the project DIY plans available on Mechanical Elements are not the norm. Each design has unique characteristics that make it perfect for the jobs intended.
In many cases, purchasing an off-the-shelf product is sufficient, but when it's not, consider making your own. Check out the shop tools for another example. Shop presses are widely available in stores and in catalogs, so why make one? If you need the span and capacity these offer, or if you need the stiffness and adjustability these have, or if you need parallelism. . . . Well, there is not much out there, unless you have cubic dollars to spend. So, just build one.
The DIY plans serve as a great base for all sorts of customizations - and we encourage customizing and modifications. Build it the way you want it, and it will serve you well for years.
If making things yourself has any interest to you, check it out. You may find just what you are looking for.
Oh, and we did not really discuss the many diy trailer plans. We actually have more trailer plans there than any other style. Enjoy.
One example of a Tandem Axle Utility Trailer design. DIY Plans for this and others are at MechanicalElements.com