Dump Trailer Repair

[jake98]

Well, today's the day. Going to cut out a rusted box channel and see if I can make a new one. It needs to be 2x3, and I have some 3x3 5/16 angle from my de-commisioned LVL snow plow. Going to rip and weld them to fit. I'm a tad nervous, not much experience, but heck, I watched a bunch of videos..

After further review.. I'm going to weld up the angles full size, and cut the trailer channels off to fit it in.

 

[jake98]

I went straight into stupid mode this afternoon, tried to cut, twice, without the ground hooked up. Got a pic of that.. thought the tip needed changing.. duh. Then I was grinding, shooting a stream of sparks right into the plasma's face panel, that's probably not good either.

 

[JB4310]

That's not a simple job for an inexperienced fabricator. Just cut and fit slowly, don't over cut any members.

The tighter you can keep everything the easier the welding will be.

Good luck!

JB.

 

[Short Game]

...shooting a stream of sparks right into the plasma's face panel, that's probably not good either.

I remember learning what those sparks can do to a windshield on both my car and my work van (before I figured out what was happening). I sure went through windshield wiper blades fast after that.

 

[brin]

I will learn from you Jake ...once you have it figured out let me know and I will buy a welder...I have wanted to have one for a long time ..so I am watching you...We are all counting on you...LOL

 

[jake98]

I will learn from you Jake ...once you have it figured out let me know and I will buy a welder...I have wanted to have one for a long time ..so I am watching you...We are all counting on you...LOL

Bob, it's just like carpentry, but all the tools are stupid. Melting your parts.. who would'a figured... Anyway, it took me all day again today to get the channel made up and welded in. It weighs about four times as much as the 1/8" that was in there, maybe five, if you count all my big goober welds. The trigger on my new mig gun started sticking on, so I took that apart and filed a little plastic. It needs a stronger spring.

 

[JB4310]

Overall looks good, the fitting looks very good, the welds look adequate.

Because like you said that new piece is so much heavier than the original, you will never have to worry about it again.

JB.

 

[jake98]

Thanks, JB. It took me too long to get the setting right, finally put the voltage up a notch and slowed the wire speed a little and that seemed to work good. I was feeling the wire bump the bottom of the puddle before that. Seeing what I'm doing is also a fight. I'm going to try a bright light next to the weld next time.

 

[RoMad]

What number lense are you using in your welding hood? You shouldn't need any extra light.
Your fit ups look good.

 

[jake98]

What number lense are you using in your welding hood? You shouldn't need any extra light.
Your fit ups look good.

Thanks RoMad. I bought an adjustable Hobart hood, I think it goes down to 8. It didn't make much difference when I had it all the way down so I put it back to 10 or so. I've done a few things with stick over the years and I never had as much trouble seeing it, have to put the cheater lens in the new hood, I was using bi-focal safety glasses under it today.