Trailer build, my first real MIG welds

   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds #1  

aczlan

Good Morning
Joined
Mar 7, 2008
Messages
18,078
Location
Northern Fingerlakes region of NY, USA
Tractor
Kubota L3830GST, B7500HST, BX2660. Formerly: Case 480F LL, David Brown 880UE
More details on the thread over the the Projects forum ( http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/270309-new-woods-trailer-our-rtv.html ), but here are some of the weld pictures.
All were done on the neighbors 110v Craftsman MIG welder, no idea on the size other than it had a gas bottle on it liked the 0.25 wire and was struggling a little with the 0.30 wire.
Most were done with .25 wire. When that ran out (in the middle of welding the tongue on), we put on a spool of 0.30 wire and off we went.
After he did the first couple of tacks, he handed me the gun and said "this is your trailer, you should be welding it" He made sure the welder was set right and gave me advice as I went along, but I welded almost all the welds on the trailer
I have used a MIG welder before for odds and ends stuff, but this was the first time really making something. I found the following:
1. I make prettier welds pulling the pool vs pushing it
2. When the puddle is just right, it looks just like the pool that you get brazing together AC linesets with an torch
3. I REALLY like using a automatic helmet
4. I should have worn a long sleeve shirt
5. I need to get a welder

Anyway, pictures follow:
Frame:
IMAG0033 (Custom).jpg IMAG0030 (Custom).jpg IMAG0029 (Custom).jpg IMG_1721 (Custom).JPG IMG_1720 (Custom).JPG

Hitch area. We put a piece of 2x2 square stock into the tongue, then welded 2 pieces of flat stock to it to form the tongue:
IMAG0032 (Custom).jpg IMAG0031 (Custom).jpg

Suspension to frame weld that was especially pretty:
IMAG0028 (Custom).jpg

The front of the frame while we were getting ready to tack it together:
IMAG0025 (Custom).jpg

We did a butt weld to join 2 leftover pieces of the C channel and make a 3rd cross member to sit the end of the tongue on:
IMG_1722 (Custom).JPG

Aaron Z
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds #2  
Do you know what gas you were running? I assume it was co2. Trailer looks pretty good!
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Do you know what gas you were running? I assume it was co2. Trailer looks pretty good!
I am not sure. It was a full height cylinder, but I didn't see the label.

Aaron Z
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds #5  
Just a suggestion. Where the two pieces of flatbar are welded to the box tube for the tongue. Take another piece of flatbar, weld the end in the center of the box tube on top of the flatbar with the hole in it, heat, and wrap the flatbar all the way around the box tube. Cut the flatbar where it will have a small gap, and weld the two ends together.
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds #6  
That would tell you wether to drag or push your weld puddle. CO2 would work better in the drag position. 75/25 works best pushing the puddle.
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds
  • Thread Starter
#7  
That would tell you wether to drag or push your weld puddle. CO2 would work better in the drag position. 75/25 works best pushing the puddle.
Hmmm, I tried pushing (when welding the flatbar onto the tounge) and had lots of splatter/pop which went away when I switched to pulling...

Just a suggestion. Where the two pieces of flatbar are welded to the box tube for the tongue. Take another piece of flatbar, weld the end in the center of the box tube on top of the flatbar with the hole in it, heat, and wrap the flatbar all the way around the box tube. Cut the flatbar where it will have a small gap, and weld the two ends together.
Good idea. I will look into doing that.

Thanks to all for the comments.

Aaron Z
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds
  • Thread Starter
#8  
I must say, if I were to do today over again, I would probbaly have put sunblock on my face, neck and arms in addition to wearing a long sleeve shirt that had the correct length sleeves (ie: long enough to cover my wrists). I feel like I spent too much time in the sun today...

Aaron Z
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Just a suggestion. Where the two pieces of flatbar are welded to the box tube for the tongue. Take another piece of flatbar, weld the end in the center of the box tube on top of the flatbar with the hole in it, heat, and wrap the flatbar all the way around the box tube. Cut the flatbar where it will have a small gap, and weld the two ends together.
Also, I dont know if you can see in the pictures, but I ran a bead around all for sides of both flatbars, so it has a little extra support where it will have the most weight.

Aaron Z
 
   / Trailer build, my first real MIG welds #10  
I must say, if I were to do today over again, I would probbaly have put sunblock on my face, neck and arms in addition to wearing a long sleeve shirt that had the correct length sleeves (ie: long enough to cover my wrists). I feel like I spent too much time in the sun today...

Aaron Z

Welcome to welding!!!! Can't recall how many times My face has peeled. What really hurts is when your eye lids get flash burn from tacking. Oh Man!!!!!:thumbdown:
 
 
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