Potato truck bed repair?

[Mark @ Everlast]

I think you'd be best served by either the PowerARC 200ST (dual voltage) or the Power i-MIG 140E. Your going to do a lot of cutting and scabbing I would assume. Either unit should work for that. The PowerARC 200ST is more efficient than the 140ST on 120V so you might be able to squeeze a little extra out of it.

Let me know if you'd like one. I'll give you the best deals I can.

 

[Egon]

Not a welder.

Would a self contained unit be feasable or too expensive?

 

[CNC Dan]

For 100' I would use 10 ga. wire.
Get it from an electrical supply store, where the electricians get their stuff.
Ask for "SOOJ 10/3"
When you are done, you can cut it into several shorter cords.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Not a welder.

Would a self contained unit be feasable or too expensive?

By self contained, I assume you are referring to a engine drive welder? Well that would depend upon the local market on used machiens. For new it would likely not be unless this business really built up as you can expect to spend 4K on something like this. Used it could be possible to find something for around 1200 or a little more that has some life in it. What many people are doing these days are buying inverter welders and then buying a nice little portable generator to run the inverter on. Usually the generator is an inverter as well. A lot of these generators are available from places like Northern Tool at a song. These are Chinese based generators, but do carry a good reputation and are usually available for well under 1000.00 for up to 9k watts. This makes it possible to be well diversified in your welding equipment without having the huge initial expense of buying a generator/welder that is limited stick unless you make several more expensive outlays to get started.

 

[Big Barn]

If I recall correctly the Double L floors were sloped slightly more than our other brand boxes. Awfully dangerous when wet and muddy. Do these boxes have lift off floor boards over the conveyor, (hopefully for you) or 'hog trough'?

Terry

 

[bjr]

If I recall correctly the Double L floors were sloped slightly more than our other brand boxes. Awfully dangerous when wet and muddy. Do these boxes have lift off floor boards over the conveyor, (hopefully for you) or 'hog trough'?

Terry

Yes, he had floor boards so I could kinda layup against the slope and weld the patches, but I kept kinda sliding around, just not comfortable. I kept at it though had a few new peep holes in the side before I got done. I was using 3/32 6011 rod and finally some very old 1/8 5p. The top long panel on the right side was just about to wobble off. The end flange where it was tied to the back panel was all cracked out and the very front was the only real solid portion. I got the top panel pretty solid when I got done. He want some 1/2" rebar foot step bars added on the inside from the rear ladder and I did that. What ever I get for a portable welder, I got to be able to weld that thin tin. bjr

 

[Sodo]

Would a self contained unit be feasable or too expensive?

I took it that OP was doing repairs in the evening, in residential areas, & had to be careful not to bother the neighbors (or spark up their SUVs). Sounds like smartphone VISA billing would be wise. Bill $50 before getting your eqpt out, make sure it is a valid credit card,,,,,or drive away.

When you are done, you can cut it into several shorter cords.

Dan I was thinking that with 3 shorter cords you could minimize, instead of having a 100' coil for all cases.

 

[Big Barn]

Yes, he had floor boards so I could kinda layup against the slope and weld the patches, but I kept kinda sliding around, just not comfortable. I kept at it though had a few new peep holes in the side before I got done. I was using 3/32 6011 rod and finally some very old 1/8 5p. The top long panel on the right side was just about to wobble off. The end flange where it was tied to the back panel was all cracked out and the very front was the only real solid portion. I got the top panel pretty solid when I got done. He want some 1/2" rebar foot step bars added on the inside from the rear ladder and I did that. What ever I get for a portable welder, I got to be able to weld that thin tin. bjr

At least you're doing repairs while they're still hauling fresh spuds and not rotten ones out of storage next January.
Good luck bjr.

Terry

 

[Egon]

The reason I mentioned self contained was tripping the residential breaker and not have access to it.

 

[CNC Dan]

I took it that OP was doing repairs in the evening, in residential areas, & had to be careful not to bother the neighbors (or spark up their SUVs). Sounds like smartphone VISA billing would be wise. Bill $50 before getting your eqpt out, make sure it is a valid credit card,,,,,or drive away.

Dan I was thinking that with 3 shorter cords you could minimize, instead of having a 100' coil for all cases.

You sure could do it in several pieces from the start. But I would want as few joints(plugs+connectors) as possable. But after lugging 100"+ of 10ga cord arround, I might change my mind.