By the Ironworker for the Ironworker

[4shorts]

Every day is tool Christmas at Paul's house!

Nice looking repair, and that ironworker makes clean shear cuts to boot.

Thanks Matt.:ashamed: That welding machine is two years old now. I just posted those pics to show Glenn and everyone how it looks when it arrives. However the IPhone is new. Got home the other day and the wife said "I bought you a new phone". Now I can stay in touch with my TBN friends anytime because of this phone and being able to access the net

I didn't want to argue with the wife for buying it so I just said "THANKS"

When it comes to the repair isn't it strange how they built that full arm and considering all that weight, they put the pin which by the way is the only way it mounts on the tractor, 1.5" from the very end The next one that comes in will be going through a major design change

As for the Ironworker. I now consider it an essential tool in the shop and wouldn't go with out one now that I've used it. I did order 8 new elongated punches and dies for it a few weeks ago. By having them added to the machine it will make the work I do look and work much better for our customers.

I did make another change to the Ironworker. I removed all the tables on the machine including the one I made and removed all the paint off there surface's and then polished them. By doing this it's easier to slide the material along the table and it even looks better without the scratches on them.

 

[Stampeder]

Thanks Cyril. I'll try and answer you on this IPhone.It's going to take some to get used to this new phone I went with the 1/4 plate because that's what was already there and everything else on the boom was that size. I think the problem occurred when the pin came loose and tore away from the unit. The pin was only welded in a few places but when I did it I welded on the inside all the way around as well so it should be much stronger than before.

OK. Now that I'm back to the shop and NOT using the Iphone. Jeeze you need some tiny fingers to type on one of those things

Anyway now I can add a few pics for Glenn. When I went out looking for a mobile welding machine I looked at the bobcat. They are a great machine but I decided to go with the Miller Trailblazer. It's got twin generators in it plus I ordered it with the AC/DC. you can buy them just DC. These Trailblazers are know for there pipe work. I'm very pleased with the one we have.

OK! OK! OK! Now you've really done it. Not only do you get the "YOU SUCK" award for the rest of the year but you also get the "I'm REALLY ENVIOUS" award too.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
While I like the Bobcat welder my secret dream was to be able to afford the Trailblazer 302? deisel. That is my dream machine. I really like the separate generator and welder set up!! That plus the configurations available. It is the ideal machine out here on the Ranch.

Last winter we went 36 hours without power. I was an unusually cold winter for Texas and we had one snow storm of 8 inches. Now I grew up in Canada, in ThunderBay so snow and cold are no stranger. HOWEVER, I moved here to get away from it. I even sold (well gave away) all snow shovels. It pained me greatly to get out the tractor and PUSH SNOW off the driveway!!!

Back to the power outage. So I bought an inexpensive generator (5500w) but it didn't have electric start. This was deliberate so I can convince the wife I need to buy the welder with a generator on it and it be electric start..... Well that poor little generator did yoeman duty, running for the full 36 hours with extension cords into the house. The whole episode sucked big time.

Since then I have wired in an outside generator feed plug and have set up to back feed the panel. Yea, I know all about disconnect switching etc. I spend many years as a radio station engineer and had to service our standby generaor systems. I will be installing a manual disconnect switch, but I really want an automatic transfer and then I can have the welder set up to autostart and carry most of the house load.

OK enough of my rant. I'm going to my corner now to sulk.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE TRAILBLAZER. You do really deserve it and I know you will do excellent work with it (as you usually do).

I am definitely coming back as one of your kids in my next life.....:laughing::laughing:

Cheers.
Glenn

Just saw the second post where you say it's now 2 years old. So you don't win the "You Suck" award for the rest of the year, only for the rest of the week.........Hee Hee Hee.........

Glenn.

 

[Stampeder]

Thanks Matt.:ashamed: That welding machine is two years old now. I just posted those pics to show Glenn and everyone how it looks when it arrives. However the IPhone is new. Got home the other day and the wife said "I bought you a new phone". Now I can stay in touch with my TBN friends anytime because of this phone and being able to access the net

I didn't want to argue with the wife for buying it so I just said "THANKS"

When it comes to the repair isn't it strange how they built that full arm and considering all that weight, they put the pin which by the way is the only way it mounts on the tractor, 1.5" from the very end The next one that comes in will be going through a major design change

As for the Ironworker. I now consider it an essential tool in the shop and wouldn't go with out one now that I've used it. I did order 8 new elongated punches and dies for it a few weeks ago. By having them added to the machine it will make the work I do look and work much better for our customers.

I did make another change to the Ironworker. I removed all the tables on the machine including the one I made and removed all the paint off there surface's and then polished them. By doing this it's easier to slide the material along the table and it even looks better without the scratches on them.

Paul:

"removed all the paint off" Down here it runs between 60 and 80% humidity all the time. If you remove paint from something and turn around once, it's got a 1/4 inch of rust on it. Well maybe not 1/4 inch but you get the idea.:laughing::laughing:

I know you're love the elongated punches. Had a set at a place I worked at and they seemed to be the ones loaded in the punch all the time.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Did you ask your wife if the iPad to go with the iPhone is coming for Christmas.....

By the way, changed my avatar for one more befitting the hot weather we're having here. If you're wondering, it's Corona he's holding......hee hee hee.

Glenn.

 

[mjncad]

Please see interspersed.

I didn't want to argue with the wife for buying it so I just said "THANKS"

I say the same thing when my wife takes pity on me and buys me booze.

When it comes to the repair isn't it strange how they built that full arm and considering all that weight, they put the pin which by the way is the only way it mounts on the tractor, 1.5" from the very end The next one that comes in will be going through a major design change

Unless there was a clearance issue, I would have put the pin centerline back at least the same distance as the square tube's size if I were the manufacturer.

As for the Ironworker. I now consider it an essential tool in the shop and wouldn't go with out one now that I've used it. I did order 8 new elongated punches and dies for it a few weeks ago. By having them added to the machine it will make the work I do look and work much better for our customers.

I can see where the oblong punches will be a great addition. It beats having to set up the mill for holes that don't require a mill's precision.

 

[4shorts]

Please see interspersed.

Same here :laughing:See purple wording

Quote:
Originally Posted by 4shorts View Post
I didn't want to argue with the wife for buying it so I just said "THANKS"

I say the same thing when my wife takes pity on me and buys me booze.

:laughing: No booze for me but this new iPhone is working out well. got TBN on it already :thumbsup:

When it comes to the repair isn't it strange how they built that full arm and considering all that weight, they put the pin which by the way is the only way it mounts on the tractor, 1.5" from the very end The next one that comes in will be going through a major design change

Unless there was a clearance issue, I would have put the pin centerline back at least the same distance as the square tube's size if I were the manufacturer.

The first thing they said was not to put a plate on the top or bottom. No room for it there. I also found out today that the pin is for the rake on the other end and that boom don't swing from the end as i first though. I also found out that the unit was stuck and the damage was done in the attempt to get the machine out They looked at the repair and said they were very happy with it. If there happy, I'm happy

As for the Ironworker. I now consider it an essential tool in the shop and wouldn't go with out one now that I've used it. I did order 8 new elongated punches and dies for it a few weeks ago. By having them added to the machine it will make the work I do look and work much better for our customers.

I can see where the oblong punches will be a great addition. It beats having to set up the mill for holes that don't require a mill's precision.


Oh ya. They will be nice to have. They showed up today. 5 punches and 5 dies and a little over $620.00 :shocked: but they'll come in handy

 

[4shorts]

Paul:

"removed all the paint off" Down here it runs between 60 and 80% humidity all the time. If you remove paint from something and turn around once, it's got a 1/4 inch of rust on it. Well maybe not 1/4 inch but you get the idea.:laughing::laughing:

I know you're love the elongated punches. Had a set at a place I worked at and they seemed to be the ones loaded in the punch all the time.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Did you ask your wife if the iPad to go with the iPhone is coming for Christmas.....

By the way, changed my avatar for one more befitting the hot weather we're having here. If you're wondering, it's Corona he's holding......hee hee hee.

Glenn.

I just love your avatar. He's one of my favorite characters.:laughing: I really didn't want the phone so an ipad won't be happening. The wife knows I like the new technology so she just bought it. I really wasn't that excited about it but now that I have it "personalized" with my stuff on it I like it.

If you want to see rust Glenn you got to try living on a rock in the middle of the North Atlantic On a quiet night you can hear stuff rusting around here. Corona is good with a touch of lemon :licking: I have one once in awhile.

The oblongs showed up today. Not cheap but built very well. A Ironworker is much like a lathe and a mill in the sense that the machine is the cheapest part of the deal. The tooling is where they get you

OK! OK! OK! Now you've really done it. Not only do you get the "YOU SUCK" award for the rest of the year but you also get the "I'm REALLY ENVIOUS" award too.:thumbsup::thumbsup:
While I like the Bobcat welder my secret dream was to be able to afford the Trailblazer 302? deisel. That is my dream machine. I really like the separate generator and welder set up!! That plus the configurations available. It is the ideal machine out here on the Ranch.

Last winter we went 36 hours without power. I was an unusually cold winter for Texas and we had one snow storm of 8 inches. Now I grew up in Canada, in ThunderBay so snow and cold are no stranger. HOWEVER, I moved here to get away from it. I even sold (well gave away) all snow shovels. It pained me greatly to get out the tractor and PUSH SNOW off the driveway!!!

Back to the power outage. So I bought an inexpensive generator (5500w) but it didn't have electric start. This was deliberate so I can convince the wife I need to buy the welder with a generator on it and it be electric start..... Well that poor little generator did yoeman duty, running for the full 36 hours with extension cords into the house. The whole episode sucked big time.

Since then I have wired in an outside generator feed plug and have set up to back feed the panel. Yea, I know all about disconnect switching etc. I spend many years as a radio station engineer and had to service our standby generaor systems. I will be installing a manual disconnect switch, but I really want an automatic transfer and then I can have the welder set up to autostart and carry most of the house load.

OK enough of my rant. I'm going to my corner now to sulk.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THE TRAILBLAZER. You do really deserve it and I know you will do excellent work with it (as you usually do).

I am definitely coming back as one of your kids in my next life.....:laughing::laughing:

Cheers.
Glenn

Just saw the second post where you say it's now 2 years old. So you don't win the "You Suck" award for the rest of the year, only for the rest of the week.........Hee Hee Hee.........

Glenn.

:smiley_aafz: I wanted that award too :laughing:

I really bought the Trailblazer for two customers in mind. They have been with us for 15 years and it was only two years ago they asked if I had one. I said no at that time but said "give me two weeks and I'll have on in place" I did that and it prevented them from having to get someone else to take care of there mobile needs.

I have a twin cyl Subaru engine in mine. Very nice engine. I couldn't justify the added cost of the diesel. Although mine is two years old it only had 35 hours on it. Most of my mobile repairs mean not just welding but mechanical repairs as well but the machine gets paid if it's on site so It works out well for both me and my customers. When they call they usually need it fixed and fixed fast.

If we ever lost the power I'd use the Trailblazer but you know who it is. If your prepared for such a thing it will never happen

I just can't get over the fact that I lost the "YOU SUCK" award! :confused3: I should have said the just bought it :mur:

 

[4shorts]

So I got all the Oblong punches unwrapped and you know Ijust had to try one. I picked up the 7/16 and chucked it in. I added a few pics just in case any of you were interested to see how or what they are and even do.

Sample plate was 1/4 thick. The machine didn't even know it was there. I've seen times where I sure could have used these. For an example: An electric or gas motor plate that's linked with a belt or belts. With the elongated holes you have a easy way to adjust the belt tension now and the time saved not having to mill them out.

To mill these four holes like this would take me an hour by the time I held the plate in the mill plus all the clean up after. With the Ironworker it takes less than one minute. Ya there worth it. :thumbsup:

 

[toy]

4 Shorts from the look of your tools that you have I believe you follow your wife around all day just saying thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,..... . I really admire your welding cart and your welding trailer, I believe I had seen pictures of it before. It shows an excellence in workmanship. I don't believe I could have used a welding cart like that though since I have to tuck my stuff away after using it because of space considerations,but I am sure that there is ideas that is on yours that can be implemented on one that would fit my needs better. On your iron worker you haven't mounted it in place permanently where it shows it is have you? It looks like it blocks your grease rack, and I figure if it does it will find another location even if it means a new addition to your shop. Can you cut square or rectangular tubing with the iron worker without distorting it's shape?

 

[4shorts]

4 Shorts from the look of your tools that you have I believe you follow your wife around all day just saying thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,..... . I really admire your welding cart and your welding trailer, I believe I had seen pictures of it before. It shows an excellence in workmanship. I don't believe I could have used a welding cart like that though since I have to tuck my stuff away after using it because of space considerations,but I am sure that there is ideas that is on yours that can be implemented on one that would fit my needs better. On your iron worker you haven't mounted it in place permanently where it shows it is have you? It looks like it blocks your grease rack, and I figure if it does it will find another location even if it means a new addition to your shop. Can you cut square or rectangular tubing with the iron worker without distorting it's shape?

Thanks toy. Glad you liked the cart and welding rig. No doubt about it I have a VERY understanding wife. She is the other half of the business and the most important have in my mind. In the 30 years she's been with me I think she has the confidence in me to know if I put it in the shop I'll make coin with it and in the last 15 years in business It's been that way. Good tooling means good quality work. If you look at my photo page you'll see the restorations I've done. To do that type of work requires good tooling. If you don't have the proper tools you can do the work.

Were it's only me that work in the shop area I have everything set up so that it's at arms reach. The Ironworker is placed in my spare bay. That bay has a new two post hoist in it, a motorcycle lift, hydraulic pipe bender and now the Ironworker. If anything happens to my main hoist on the other side of the shop everything in the spare bar can be moved in a matter of minutes so the new spare hoist can be used. The motorcycle life is on wheels as is the pipe bender and the Ironworker is designed to be moved with a fork lift.

Doing and having it all this way helps me work very efficiently. I know where everything is at any given moment. These Ironworkers can be ordered with a number of accessories. When I ordered mine I didn't buy the square tubing cutter. I just don't use square tubing enough to tie up a station on the Ironworker. For me the break, plate share,angle share, punching station and notcher was what I was really after. The other mods I made to the machine just made it more practical.

If I had a larger shop I'd just fill it up with more tools :laughing: Thanks for your comments.

 

[dcyrilc]

So I got all the Oblong punches unwrapped and you know Ijust had to try one. I picked up the 7/16 and chucked it in. I added a few pics just in case any of you were interested to see how or what they are and even do.

Sample plate was 1/4 thick. The machine didn't even know it was there. I've seen times where I sure could have used these. For an example: An electric or gas motor plate that's linked with a belt or belts. With the elongated holes you have a easy way to adjust the belt tension now and the time saved not having to mill them out.

To mill these four holes like this would take me an hour by the time I held the plate in the mill plus all the clean up after. With the Ironworker it takes less than one minute. Ya there worth it. :thumbsup:

You know... it's like you said in your previous post... once you're prepared, you won't need it. Now you won't get jobs which need elongated holes.