Dewie
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Junk Lord
Yeah thats right - I drive a Lada :P
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Post by Dewie on May 17, 2011 10:16:43 GMT -4
On my dump wagon I have my hinges about 6-8" behind the pivot point. Fully loaded I can't tip it myself.
Something to take into consideration.
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 17, 2011 10:25:59 GMT -4
On my dump wagon I have my hinges about 6-8" behind the pivot point. Fully loaded I can't tip it myself. Something to take into consideration. I don't get what you're saying. I though the hinges were the pivot point?
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Dewie
Jeeper
Junk Lord
Yeah thats right - I drive a Lada :P
Posts: 1,249
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Post by Dewie on May 17, 2011 11:45:51 GMT -4
true.
The word I was looking for was "balance" point - which is near the middle depending on how the trailer is loaded. If you put the hinges too far behind the balance point you won't easily be able to tip it.
Are you putting on a winch or something? I can't remember.
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 17, 2011 12:29:43 GMT -4
Ah, I get ya now. I was going to go gas powered hydraulic... but I think I'll set it up to use a hi-lift jack just to get me going. I'm still missing some parts for the hydaulic setup and am gonna be broke for a while. LOL
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 19, 2011 21:44:49 GMT -4
Not too much progress... but cut the last crossmember, gussets, and tapered all the edges to be welded. Bought my PA welding helmet today. Sat it out in the sun to "charge" it. Any way to tell if it's ready to weld with? I tried a flashlight, and it goes dark for a split second and then back to bright. Don't want that to happen when welding!
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 23, 2011 1:33:44 GMT -4
Helmet works fine, but I completely fubared the welder's tip. Somehow melted the wire inside it. Bought a 10 pack at Crappy Tire today, so attempt #2 tomorrow. I think she needs more wire speed. Did I mention I'm a little green at welding? ;D
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Post by theonlybull on May 23, 2011 6:19:17 GMT -4
yup, if your melting the wire inside the tip, your using too slow of a wire speed
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 23, 2011 11:16:13 GMT -4
I'm off and welding! Started at speed 8 (the chart said 7), but my welds were way too high. Went back down to 7... and I think it's getting better. Might try 6. Also playing with my mask settings. Started at 14, and now at 10. I can see the wire, the puddle, but have a hard time seeing the seam, or metal I'm welding.
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Creepy
Administrator
Dartmouth
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Post by Creepy on May 24, 2011 17:06:46 GMT -4
14 is for high amperage arc welding. iirc, i use #9 for mig. Different people use different settings, find what works for you.
The little trailer frame looks great, I couldn't tell it was 2x3 until you showed more pieces.
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 28, 2011 20:44:36 GMT -4
After a couple evenings grinding, and trimming, and generaly fawkin around trying to get all my gaps looking ok, she's all one piece! Got 3 sides of everything done... and my welds started looking worse, so I called it a night. Discovered speed 7 for flat, 8 for inside corners (vertical) and 6 for outside corners (vertical) work best. Sitting right side up Someone told me to butt weld the tongue into the crossmember instead of frenching it. I'm thinking it keeps the crossmember stronger, but the bond isn't as much. Close ups didn't turn out too well. I think I'm doing ok. It's a 50/50 shot when I make a pass if it's gonna look good or not. LOL Tongue "frenched" Axle with welds ground down, wire wheeled, primed, painted and spring perches burned in.
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Sandboxcowboy
Jeeper
Oh yes, please tell me how deep that mud puddle was in beaver bank.....
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Post by Sandboxcowboy on May 28, 2011 20:48:53 GMT -4
Bitchin! Cant say on weld quality but looks good from here!
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 29, 2011 6:03:34 GMT -4
Thanks bro! I'll have the rest welded today including spring hangers... and hope to have it rolling around by next weekend.
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on May 29, 2011 20:45:57 GMT -4
Degreased, sanded and wiped with grease and wax remover. While waiting for the G&W remover to dry, I mocked up the axle Then primer. I ended up having made it 4" too long. Oh well, no biggie. I kept waiting for a measurement mess up... this one I can live with. LOL I think I'll put some gussets at the back so that they meet the hinges.
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Big G
Hardcore
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Post by Big G on Jun 2, 2011 9:18:10 GMT -4
I'm an idiot. It's not 4" too long... it's just that the crossmember on the trailer falls right behind the original springs, but these springs must be shorter. Anyway, no fab, but more parts gathered; Biggest hinges PA had. I payed a little more for powder coated over galvanized, as I understand welding the later is bad for ya... even though I'll grind off the finish first. U bolts made at PFT, and safety chain was bought at PA a while back when they were on sale. Notice one u bolt's missing, as it's off with a friend who's making me some spring plates Here's what Jan whipped off for me yesterday. Thanks bud. Very nice work. as it'll sit in use with chain trailer ready for disassembly
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Trever
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Back in Black!
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Post by Trever on Jun 2, 2011 12:26:42 GMT -4
Good job Glen! Welding looks fine to me. I see some good heat marks.
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