Question on faux welding

Richard · Dec 21, 2009

I have never welded in my life... would rate my interest in trying at maybe 1%. I don't even have a 220 outlet although I'm considering changing that.

Here's my question....

I live on a dead end road. The county has posted a No Parking sign at my driveway exit because we at times, get multiple vehicles parked there which has before, impeded our coming & going.

I might add that the county built a parking lot just 1/4 mile down the road for hunters, campers & hikers yet they still think this dead end area is a peachy place to park, regardless of the signage (In fairness to them, it's usually not a big problem, but it's annoying that they'd park adjacent to a no parking sign

talk about respect lol)

Someone has of course, stolen the No Parking sign. The post is there but they unbolted the sign itself.

They have in fact, removed about 4 of these signs up/down my road however, I was able to find one of the signs and have intents on putting it back up.

Here's the thrust of my question....

If I bolt the sign back up, someone will evidently, simply unbolt it again and probably toss it into the lake.

Would this work for a cheap 'welder'?

Take some bolts and attach the sign. Take some jumper cables from the battery of my backhoe. Attach the negative (I'd presume) to the sign post. Take the positive and clip it onto maybe a small welding rod.

All I'd really like to do is simply touch the threads of the bolts so they're 'faux welded' together and disuade the casual sign unbolter.

I know they'll then probably pull the sign out of the ground (don't ask me how I know) BUT.... this specific sign is in direct view of two of the three houses and if someone did take the time to do that, they'd run the risk of possibly being seen.

So...

My vision is simply touching the rod to the bolt tips, to arc some sparks and lock the nut onto the bolt. I don't really need/want to buy a welder to do that nor take lessons, nor buy the equipment...

I had this weird idea pop into my head and was wondering it it was feasible?

moeh1 · Dec 21, 2009

Taking a cold chisel to the threads after you bolt it back on with some high grade bolts would deter a casual effort too.

mbohuntr · Dec 21, 2009

A little JB weld on the threads might work.

ToadHill · Dec 21, 2009

Peen over the bolt like it was a rivet.

EddieWalker · Dec 21, 2009

I think the JB weld is the easiest way to lock it in place, but using a long bolt and bending it over with a hammer after it's tight will work too.

Eddie

timswi · Dec 21, 2009

Get a 110v mig..You'll never regret having one.

RPW · Dec 21, 2009

In answer to your question, yes but...... don't do it with your vehicle battery or you'll fry the vehicle computer and it would be + to the post and - to the rod. Maybe a 1/16 for 12v. If you have 2 or 3 batteries fully charge them and hook them in series for 24v or 36v. But like others have said JB is easier.

Good luck.

studor · Dec 21, 2009

Make the bolts longer, use two nuts and bend the end of the bolt a little with a hammer when they are tight (use carriage bolts if you can)

zzvyb6 · Dec 21, 2009

You are wasting your time. They are getting a kick out of defeating the sign purpose. Next time a car is there, drain all the oil out of their crankcase into a pan and put the plug back in. They'll get about a mile or 2 away before the brakes come on. That's plenty far enough.

eazyduzzit · Dec 21, 2009

I like the bradding the bolt with a hammer suggestion, or bring it over and I'll weld it for you. I live in Knoxville too.

Deano · Dec 21, 2009

timswi said:
Get a 110v mig..You'll never regret having one.

I just got one...LOVE it!!!

I say get a 110v MIG welder and weld the sign to the cars that park there...right on the drivers side door should work!!

Deano

CurlyDave · Dec 21, 2009

Why not just play this straight.

Call the county the next time someone parks there, sign or no, it is a no parking zone.

Given the likely state of their finances, they will probably come out & put a ticket on the car(s). A few tickets and people will start to park in the right place. Even if they can go to court and fight the ticket because the sign has been stolen, this is a huge PITA compared to parking in the right spot.

And, the county will replace the signs. One that you recovered and put back up yourself has dubious validity.

two_bit_score · Dec 22, 2009

CurlyDave said:
Why not just play this straight.

Call the county the next time someone parks there, sign or no, it is a no parking zone.

Given the likely state of their finances, they will probably come out & put a ticket on the car(s). A few tickets and people will start to park in the right place. Even if they can go to court and fight the ticket because the sign has been stolen, this is a huge PITA compared to parking in the right spot.

And, the county will replace the signs. One that you recovered and put back up yourself has dubious validity.

Now, Curly Dave, don't ruin all the fun here with common sense. I liked the one about welding the 'no parking' sign to the drivers door.

pat32rf · Dec 22, 2009

Have your own sign made up asking that they not block the driveway as heavy equipment needs access. Make it look as official as possible, then bolt it on with LONG bolts which you bend over. Chew up the heads of the bolts as well so a crescent wrench won't hold on them.
The easier it is to remove, the more often it will be removed. Big wrenches will defeat JB or locktite if the nuts and bolts are new.
Heavy equipment might just "damage" parked vehicles and they might think twice...

Egon · Dec 22, 2009

Dump a load of dirt in front of and behind the offending vehicle??

studor · Dec 22, 2009

Change the sign to say "We recycle -- illegal parkers will be composted"

GPintheMitten · Dec 22, 2009

This has got to be frustrating.

As far as getting even or for that matter, making it 'personal' even with personal signage, consider who has the most to lose at any particular time.

Your not there, they get angry, they can damage your house etc.

I say hammer the end of the bolt threads a little and call it good. Then call for better parking enforcement.

wedge40 · Dec 22, 2009

Well I was a little excited as I read the ops post. But thought maybe he was going to wire the battery to the sign.

Yes I can be pretty devient at times.

Not sure how far away the signs are, but I would fix the bolts so they are hard to remove. For added insurance I'd also get a wildlife camera that takes photos upon movement. These in turn could sent to the authorities and let them decide. Also when they are parked in front a sign a few photos of the car and plates with the sign in the picture would do wonders as well. You could print these and leave them on the window.

Wedge

kenstrac · Dec 22, 2009

Richard said:
I have never welded in my life... would rate my interest in trying at maybe 1%. I don't even have a 220 outlet although I'm considering changing that.

Here's my question....

I live on a dead end road. The county has posted a No Parking sign at my driveway exit because we at times, get multiple vehicles parked there which has before, impeded our coming & going.

I might add that the county built a parking lot just 1/4 mile down the road for hunters, campers & hikers yet they still think this dead end area is a peachy place to park, regardless of the signage (In fairness to them, it's usually not a big problem, but it's annoying that they'd park adjacent to a no parking sign talk about respect lol)

Someone has of course, stolen the No Parking sign. The post is there but they unbolted the sign itself.

They have in fact, removed about 4 of these signs up/down my road however, I was able to find one of the signs and have intents on putting it back up.

Here's the thrust of my question....

If I bolt the sign back up, someone will evidently, simply unbolt it again and probably toss it into the lake.

Would this work for a cheap 'welder'?

Take some bolts and attach the sign. Take some jumper cables from the battery of my backhoe. Attach the negative (I'd presume) to the sign post. Take the positive and clip it onto maybe a small welding rod.

All I'd really like to do is simply touch the threads of the bolts so they're 'faux welded' together and disuade the casual sign unbolter.

I know they'll then probably pull the sign out of the ground (don't ask me how I know) BUT.... this specific sign is in direct view of two of the three houses and if someone did take the time to do that, they'd run the risk of possibly being seen.

So...

My vision is simply touching the rod to the bolt tips, to arc some sparks and lock the nut onto the bolt. I don't really need/want to buy a welder to do that nor take lessons, nor buy the equipment...

I had this weird idea pop into my head and was wondering it it was feasible?

What if you take a propane torch and solder in the threads or drill a hole between the nut and the thread and drive in a roll pin.

radioman · Dec 22, 2009

you could try it with battery- but I am worried about safety. I agree with some of comments- getting a 110v wire feed welder would work. No need to learn. Its same as the battery idea but more of a useful tool and better welds for novice. but it's clear the op doesnt want to learn to weld or get one- no problem. I was going to suggest take hint from the newer public bathrooms- the torx with pin in center or one way bolts. ball peen and making a rivet out of the bolt threads after threading on nut works great too. I used that method with sucess with grade 5 bolts.

As for the comments of getting revenge- drain oil, weld sign on door, dirt.... come on guys !

(family forum remember ?

) I know it's in all name of fun, but why let your blood boil when seeing the cars on your property? approach them - or leave notes in windsheild, word does get around, no matter what. sooner or later it will eventually catch on.