Slipping tracks.

[Russell]

Had a go today, turns out it's 6mm box I'm grafting on and the dumper looks to be made of 3-4mm rust. Got one side ready for welding . Is it still a no with my mig on 0.8mm wire? Not a problem if it is, it just means picking up a welder from town.

 

[doobin]

If it's that thin then you'll want the mig for sure. Clean it up as best you can and see what you have. For thin corroded stuff you can sort of 'stitch' it with the MIG set so high that you'd blow through if you kept going. Start the pulse on the new metal with enough power to dig in properly, and bring the weld pool onto the crap stuff. Let it cool for a sec, repeat. Not the prettiest of finishes but often the best way to get fusion when one of the objects is badly rusted.

 

[Russell]

Had a go with the mig but it started welding the wire to the inside of the Lance so gave up and got a r Tec 175amp arc. Just finished off one side and it's bloody ugly but should be strong enough.

 

[Brendan]

Had a go with the mig but it started welding the wire to the inside of the Lance so gave up and got a r Tec 175amp arc. Just finished off one side and it's bloody ugly but should be strong enough.View attachment 10269View attachment 10270

If it does the job that's the main thing, plus will be covered in mud within tend mins of being on site

 

[V8Druid]

got to be better than what you started with

 

[Russell]

Is there a technique for vertical welds? I don't know if I had it turned up to high but it seamed to run off. Horizontal were not such a problem. I used up the last of some old 3.2mm rods that have been kicking about for the last 11-12 years. What is the problem they give when they are a little damp?

 

[Quattromike]

. I used up the last of some old 3.2mm rods that have been kicking about for the last 11-12 years. What is the problem they give when they are a little damp?

Crappy welds, the flux on the welding rod vapourises during welding and creates a protective inert gas bubble around the weld pool to keep the oxygen out of the weld pool. When the rods are damp the gas bubble is filled with steam also which gives poor weld quality. IMO

 

[Russell]

Ok thanks

 

[JD450A]

Put the rods in the oven and pre heat them. then weld upwards so you in effect pre heat the metal...

 

[Mogman]

And turn the amps down going vertical up keeping a short arc

 

[Russell]

I used some different rods today and they were much better. I will try the oven trick next time. I went back over the one above so there is plenty of weld there and got the other side done in half the time.
I'm liking the little welder, with the digital display makes it nice and easy to adjust and it's tiny, it's about the same size as a shoe box!

 

[Russell]

The dumper did it's first day of work since the repair shifting hardcore at home today . It's moved about 4tone so far and the tracks have not slipped once. Also it seams to be ticking over now which is a bonus. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Brendan]

The dumper did it's first day of work since the repair shifting hardcore at home today . It's moved about 4tone so far and the tracks have not slipped once. Also it seams to be ticking over now which is a bonus. Thanks for all the advice.

Great result

 

[Gecko]

I used up the last of some old 3.2mm rods that have been kicking about for the last 11-12 years. What is the problem they give when they are a little damp?

bit late to the the party, but the problem with damp rods is Hydrogen Embrittelment
Long story short - damp rods give you welds that are prone to cracking under load.

for small quantities, storing in a sealed container (sold for rods)

or an ammunition tin (if you can find one long enough) make great storage containers.

Put the rods in the oven and pre heat them. then weld upwards so you in effect pre heat the metal...

Bake above 100C (150C is good) for two hours if they haven't been stored well.