Add CHAIN GUARDS To Rotary Cutter

[Soundguy]

Looks great.. I'll sending yuo my shipping address via PM (wink)

Nice work as usual.

BTW.. did you have any burn thru trouble using that beefy 150a setting on 1/8 6011 rod?? Or did you do that to blow / burn the zinc off/out of the weld at arc strike/ puddle...?

Soundguy

 

[patrick_g]

Yeah, great job and a terrific increase in safety. Yet another item on which Sound Guy and I are in total agreement.

I need to do some serious repairs to my chains before I can brush hog near stock. Hopefully your example will motivate me.

Pat

 

[3RRL]

Thanks guys,
It's always nice to get good feedback.
This little project was much easier to do than I thought. Plus the price was right for me too.
Time to do yours now.

Clamping the cut chain links over the 1/2" bar like I did kept them in position so welding was very easy. I clamped them all on with the spacing I wanted first like you saw in the first photos. Then I started the puddle just short of the link on the 1/2" thick bar and worked my way to the link end, until built up and completely welded. Zinc was no problem at all that way.

No problem burning through the lighter gage metal on the cutter body either. I always start on the thicker material and pool towards the thinner stuff to prevent burn through. Then, cut off the weld at the right time for thick to thin welding. I only had to worry about that on the 4 corner welds anyway. The braces were all welded to the 1/4" thick angle iron going across the bottom of my cutter.

 

[patrick_g]

Rob, About the zinc that was no problem... It is good that you were welding outdoors as the zinc fumes are quite toxic. What we don't see when we are welding is just where the fumes are going. I have even set up a fan to try to avoid the fumes. My first experiment was with the fan mostly behind me, trying to put myself upwind of the weld and it was NOT a good result as the little eddies formed on the downstream side of me and swirled the fumes right around my head.

If there is a breeze or you use a fan then just about any other arrangement besides your back to the breeze is better for avoiding breathing the fumes.

I don't know how effective it is but a foundry owner with whom I did some product development drank large quantities of milk if he was exposed to zinc fumes. He claimed it was useful. Couldn't hurt although I have seen no such advice in the literature.

Here is metal fume fever ===> http://files.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-25.PDF

Pat

 

[Jimmyb33]

Hey Rob those look great! They should do the job just fine. I guess it time for me to learn how to weld so I can start some of these type projects... I've got plenty in mind. I'm sure I can get plenty of advice here... but that's another thread.

 

[3RRL]

Hi Pat,
Yeah, I know about the zinc. What I do is have the breeze or fan going sideways. As a right handed welder mostly, I try to have the breeze or fan come from that side, right to left. It keeps the welding area clear of smoke too. I can weld with either hand but prefer right for the dinky stuff and surprisingly, left for longer runs?

Jimmy,
Thank you for the compliment!
Get your butt in gear so we can see your new threads on what you are building. There are so many sources for you to learn that it's a no brainer anymore. It's not only a tremendous cost savings in the long run...since you probably have to buy a welder and associated gear to get set up, but it is fun. Plus you can build it the way YOU want. I have certainly gotten my money's worth investing in a welder for all the projects and repairs I've done with it.

 

[patrick_g]

Rob, exactly what I do breeze and fanwise. We are sopme alike except for preferring the left hand for long runs. I tend to use both hands for some things and right hand for most one handing but I do use the left a significant fraction when it is a more comfortable reach.

Pat

 

[SkunkWerX]

Rob,

Excellent outcome! I like the tight spacing of chains and especailly like the stand-offs you fabricated. Very nice!

I try to steer clear of Galvanized and plated metals, but there are times it can't be avoided.
I use a fan, open the garage door, and stand between the fan and the work.
Let's face it, we know Zinc fumes are toxic, but standard welding fumes aren't the best for us, either.

Great job ROB!

 

[3RRL]

Thanks Skunk...
It's great to hear somebody else's opinion that it came out good...lol... other than mine.
I agree 100% about the welding too.

 

[Ductape]

Rob, your chain guards come out great as i anticipated. I actually don't have much to say here, but much like when i lost my virginity..... this is my 500th post, and i just figured it was time to get it over with. Glad i could share it with you !!!

Scott