Backhoe Build A Backhoe For PT425... It Could Happen

[ldabe]

MossRoad,
I have been watching your 'build a backhoe', and am very impressed with your project (jj's too). I am very interested in the welding, though I have never did any welding (except by mistake, I used to be a journeyman lineman ;~) and your project is far beyond my capabilities, at least for now. But my wife surprised me by purchasing a used Lincoln Welder AC 225 s, from a friend of hers, that was her dads and he very rarely used!
I was wondering what you (or jj) would recommend to get me going? Manuals, Video, CD, Community College, etc.?
Again, I have never welded, but I am really wanting to get going on something simple to get the hang of it!
Thanks in advance, all you guys on here have been great with your knowledge and experiance.
Abe.
P.S. Gravy, if you happen to read this I am still looking forward to your 'photos and details' on the PHD ;~)

 

[MossRoad]

Congratulations on the new welder and good luck on learning a new skill that will last you a lifetime.

Thanks for your kind words. I took a couple welding classes back in the early 80's because I wanted to learn to do it. I would recommend checking out your local community college or technical college.

Also, get a book from the library on arc welding. Read it. If you have any friends or family that weld, have them show you the basics.

Then get some scrap steel and start running practice beads to get use to the sparks, sounds, flashes, etc... some folks find striking that first arc to be a bit disturbing. After all, you're creating an electrical spark that is capable of melting two pieces of metal into a puddle. Then you have to control that puddle and add filler metal from the tip of a burning stick!

After you do it a few times and really start watching the way the metal, puddle and filler react it becomes fun. Then you start experimenting by running different beads at different angles, pushing the puddle, pulling the puddle, etc... And changing ranges on the welder for different metals, thicknesses, electrodes and conditions starts to become a challenge. It really is a fun and intersting past-time, as well as being extremely useful.

On my project, I've noticed a few things that I forgot during schoool. For instance, when I weld really nice pieces of steel, the welds are perfect. Rusty junk from the scrap heap produces crummy welds. I have to take the time to clean the area and grind down to good metal. You can make up some of this by switching to a different type of rod, but there is no substitute for good metal from the start.

 

[Gravy]

Idabe,

It's on my "To Do" list. It's been an unusually busy summer for us, but I think it may slack off a bit in a few weeks. I enjoy sharing what we do with and to PT's almost as much as I enjoy the actual doing!

I do have a fairly advanced case of CRS, so don't be afraid to remind me again!

Gravy

 

[ldabe]

MossRoad,
Thanks for the info, and especially so quick!
I don't think the sparks, sounds or flashes will bother me to much. As I said, I was a Journeyman Lineman, and in sixteen years of that I have seen and been involved with more sparks, sounds, flashes and drawing archs than I really care to admit to ;~)
But with anything, with the first time I am sure it will be interesting.
I have a friend that I went to high school with, and if I remember correctly his dad either taught him or got him into welding. So that will be a good excuse to go visit an old friend I have not seen in awhile.
Thanks again, as usual you guys on here are great.
P.S. Gravy, glad you saw the post! And I am glad you said 'don't be afraid to remind you again'. I did not want to seem pushy, but I sure would like to have a PHD to add to my attachments. I live in a rural area and time, a lot of times means more to me than the money it would cost to rent. Also there are quite a few friends and relatives that would benefit if I had my own.
So even though I am very eager to have a PHD, I understand 'busy'. I have my main career, and started another business last year, and also have another started in the last three months.
As for CRS, I told my wife years ago, that I have 'sometimers', and within the last year it has turned into 'mostofthetimers' ;~)
But for some reason she thinks it is something else that she calls 'selectividous'. I told her someday I may see a doc, and we will both know...LOL.
Well, I better stop. I don't even know if this is being discourteous, talking to two different PT'ers in the same post?
Thanks Gravy, and if I don't here from you shortly, I will be sure to pester you again!
You guys take care,
Abe.

 

[Spiffy]

Probably not. I think I will need a 12 or 14 for that.

Nice picture, by the way! Is that your summer look?

Sorry, I haven't posted much lately, been too busy on the farm.....but that's another thread (hopefully I'll get around to it soon).

Great photo J.J.! Of course, I liked the other one better; I'm not sure if I'm allowed to converse with people of such class - even via internet!

 

[MossRoad]

Well, I better stop. I don't even know if this is being discourteous, talking to two different PT'ers in the same post?
.

It's called thread hijacking and is extremely rude... the only way to make up for it is to buy the offended party a root beer if you ever meet them in person!

 

[MossRoad]

A few more hours and a few more pics...

Attached the left swing cylinder brackets and tested for movement. O.K. After I took the pictures, I attached the right swing cylinder brackets and tested for movement. Not O.K. I am having trouble making the brackets in the same plane. If I had the ball joint ends similar to what PT uses, I would be done. I am checking Bailey's and I think they have them for about $20.00 a poke. It may be worth ordering some to get this part finished.

It was HOT today. And very humid. I found an old window air conditioner in the back of my garage and plugged it in next to where I was working in the garage. That, and a couple-three quarts of ice water kept me going. I was soaked after using the torch, cutting holes, welding and grinding.

Running totals:
Time = 30 hrs.
Approximate Cost = $380

 

[Barryh]

Sorry, I haven't posted much lately, been too busy on the farm.....but that's another thread (hopefully I'll get around to it soon).

Great photo J.J.! Of course, I liked the other one better; I'm not sure if I'm allowed to converse with people of such class - even via internet!

I like both pictures, I always thought his other one was cool, sort of a ZZ, TOP look, and looked like he was speaking directly to you. The new picture has more of a Gordon Lightfoot look. :>)

 

[Barryh]

I like both pictures, I always thought his other one was cool, sort of a ZZ, TOP look, and looked like he was speaking directly to you. The new picture has more of a Gordon Lightfoot look. :>)

Opp's... is this called hijacking a thread. Sorry Moss, next time I come through your town I'll look you up for a root beer, on me. Or beer without the root.

 

[MossRoad]