Something different......

Bird · Apr 9, 2005

A fine looking rack, and that Jeep does look like a nice "get-around", but like Don, I'd like to see the rest of that rig. Do they have a way to haul the Jeep on the Peterbilt, or do they tow the Jeep behind the fifth-wheel. Of course I can see the Jeep has a tow bar, so I assume they pull it behind the fifth-wheel.

johnday · Apr 9, 2005

Harv; Beautiful job. Hope I get as good as you with welding. Looks like TIG from my view. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon · Apr 9, 2005

That is a fine looking job. You have talent.

In Alberta one can tow a boat or? behind a 5 th. wheel trailer. Think there is an overall length restriction. Surely hate to have to back it up though.

Egon /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wroughtn_harv · Apr 9, 2005

Since you're a weldor now John, I started off with 5P+ 3/32 since the material is .065 galvanized steel tubing. There was so many joints that I finally conceded to loading up some flux core into the MIG and finishing off with that.

However, the other day I bought some silicon-bronze wire (eight dollars a pound). Then yesterday a little luck dropped in and a good old boy sold me three thirty pound rolls for a crisp clean freshly made in my own press hundred dollar bill. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Silicon-bronze with a pure argon gas welds sheet metal and galvanized material with a lower heat (less fumes) and it's a much smoother but still good weld. It's almost like brazing.

Bird · Apr 9, 2005

( overall length restriction )

To the best of my knowledge, it's still 65' in Texas.

johnday · Apr 9, 2005

Harv; The photo before powdercoating looked like aluminum, so I figured you TIGed it. Mig is great!! I blew thru my assignments in that. TIG is a little harder, but I've taken a real liking to it, even though you almost fall asleep with it. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Verticle up fillets are a killer for me. But I discovered the cup walk, and what a difference. One of my weldor buddies showed me that, the difference was incredible. Once again, beautiful job on the hat!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And some guys really fall into deals, don't you? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

johnday · Apr 10, 2005

Harv; You must have really turned the heat down with the 5P+. I haven't worked up the courage to weld something that thin yet. Where were you, around 50 amps and really short arcing? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

wroughtn_harv · Apr 11, 2005

John I'm almost ashamed to say I don't know what amperage I use. The Dialarc just has a high and low range with numbers 1, 2, 3, etc. The Trailblazer has what looks like amperage numbers but I pay no attention to them.

The Trailblazer has a hot start feature that can make it very interesting welding thin material. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif You hit running and don't slow down. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

My father was the gate man at Pioneer Fence in Fontana CA for years and years. The production weldors at Kaiser (now the racetrack) Steel used to come in and marvel at how he could weld the galvanized thin wall.

I taught me to weld ahead of where you're welding. If you're chasing a puddle on thin wall you're looking at a hole.

wroughtn_harv · Apr 11, 2005

(
To the best of my knowledge, it's still 65' in Texas. )

My customer is seventy five feet long when it's all hooked up. He says the law doesn't bother RV's much over such petty details. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

His son will be bringing over a similar rig but the trailer's a forty four footer. I've got to put a hitch on the trailer for towing a Jeep and redo the wheel wells on the Peterbuilt. The factory installed toter bed sits on the wheels when he drops the air bags. Makes it awkward to back into the trailer needless to say.

Bird · Apr 11, 2005

He says the law doesn't bother RV's much over such petty details.

He's quite right. I don't know what the fine would be if he does get stopped and ticketed, but it's very true that the police rarely bother RVs unless an accident if involved.

Incidentally, not only the motor vehicles, but also the trailer, is supposed to have an annual Safety Inspection sticker. I'll bet very few RVers ever get one, and my experience was that the inspection stations were surprised when I showed up for one and they usually had no idea how to do the inspection.