|
|
Hello,I am new to welding. The front support base of our elliptical machine needs to be welded. The welding on one side has cracked along the portion where the vertical piece of metal meets the horizontal base. I am looking for a cheap way to weld it back. It is about 3 inches which would need to be welded. What equipment would you recommend? Maybe a small kit I could pick up from a dept store could do the trick? Again feel free to be basic as I havent welded before but am a do it yourselfer and quick learner.Thanks!
Reply:For a small repair, I would say to post up where you are located, and ask for some help from a local member near you. There are a lot of guys who can take care of something like that, and you may be able to learn as they patch it up for you.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks for the advice, I may have to call someone to come do it, but would anyone be able to list just a few basic steps, I would like to fix it for me and my wife, so hopefully I can do it myself - maybe my first small job any input would be a blessing. I am in virginia here
Reply:Being unfamiliar with your machine, I would need to identify the base metal, thickness, etc., and determine if a repair is possible or feasible with the equipment available. City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Originally Posted by newwelder08Thanks for the advice, I may have to call someone to come do it, but would anyone be able to list just a few basic steps, I would like to fix it for me and my wife, so hopefully I can do it myself - maybe my first small job any input would be a blessing. I am in virginia here
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverBeing unfamiliar with your machine, I would need to identify the base metal, thickness, etc., and determine if a repair is possible or feasible with the equipment available.
Reply:If you're bound and determined to do this yourself, you'll have to invest some money in the equipment. Since it's a small weld, you can do this with stick welding, aka SMAW. This is probably the least expensive way to go. You'll need to invest some money in the euqipment, but if you plan to do more welding, this is not the end of the world. A small AC stick welder, aka a 'buzzbox' or 'tombstone', will cost you about $200-$300 new. Look for a used machine. Lincoln and Miller both make suitable equipment. You'll need a welding helmet, welding gloves, a chipping hammer, wire brush. A 4.5" angle grinder with cutting and grinding discs, is handy but not strictly necessary. Basic hand tools are also good to have handy.Purchase some 3/32" diameter 6011 or 6013 welding rod. Make certain it's marked as useable with AC polarity. (if you don't know what I'm talking about here, do some more homework). You'll want to practice a bit, so buy 5 lbs. You can get all these things from Lowes/Home Depot, although they may be cheaper elsewhere. This is assuming the elliptical frame is steel. If a magnet sticks to it, chances are you can weld it with these electrodes. Aluminum or stainless will require different equipment and techniques. Get a few scraps of metal the same thickness as the metal you're going to repair. Read the welder instruction manual. Find a friend who knows how to weld and practice what you want to do. Find a safe place to work and practice.I can't teach you to weld over the internet, so you really need a friend who can demonstrate the techniques. Otherwise, you're in for a lot of frustration. There are some basic books, like "Welder's Handbook", by Finch, that can give you a basic overview of welding techniques. Miller's website also has some good basic info. If you don't get a teacher of some kind, expect to spend a couple hours reading, and several hours practicing what you read before you're ready to make your repair.Move the elliptical to your workspace. Clean the paint from around the crack. Make certain there isn't any wiring nearby, inside the tubing you're welding. Heat from welding could cause it to melt. Depending on the size of the crack, you might want to simply weld over it, or you may be better served by reinforcing the area. Again, an experienced welder could better advise you after seeing the work firsthand. Are you getting the sense that this isn't something you can just pick up and do on your own? Originally Posted by newwelder08Thanks for the advice, I may have to call someone to come do it, but would anyone be able to list just a few basic steps, I would like to fix it for me and my wife, so hopefully I can do it myself - maybe my first small job any input would be a blessing. I am in virginia here
Reply:you willget encouragement here but it will look like roadblocks. welding is complicated..you cant unfortunately just jump in.. if you buy a buzzbox make sure first you have the power to run it.
Reply:Newwelder08,As you've already probably figured out, welding is not quite as simple as picking up a rod and sticking two pieces of metal together.Where are you in VA?I'm in Deltaville, about 60 miles east of Richmond. If you're close by, and want to bring your machine by, I'll square it away for you. Drop me a PM or e-mail.Realize, when a machine such as this has a failure, there's a reason why. Was it a "bad" weld to begin with, or did something else cause the weld to fail. Additional reinforcement may be required to insure that the same thing doesn't happen in the future. Unless it's something really major, I wouldn't charge you anything for the repair.Photo of the failure would be helpful.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doIf you're bound and determined to do this yourself, you'll have to invest some money in the equipment. Since it's a small weld, you can do this with stick welding, aka SMAW. This is probably the least expensive way to go. You'll need to invest some money in the euqipment, but if you plan to do more welding, this is not the end of the world. A small AC stick welder, aka a 'buzzbox' or 'tombstone', will cost you about $200-$300 new. Look for a used machine. Lincoln and Miller both make suitable equipment. You'll need a welding helmet, welding gloves, a chipping hammer, wire brush. A 4.5" angle grinder with cutting and grinding discs, is handy but not strictly necessary. Basic hand tools are also good to have handy.Purchase some 3/32" diameter 6011 or 6013 welding rod. Make certain it's marked as useable with AC polarity. (if you don't know what I'm talking about here, do some more homework). You'll want to practice a bit, so buy 5 lbs. You can get all these things from Lowes/Home Depot, although they may be cheaper elsewhere. This is assuming the elliptical frame is steel. If a magnet sticks to it, chances are you can weld it with these electrodes. Aluminum or stainless will require different equipment and techniques. Get a few scraps of metal the same thickness as the metal you're going to repair. Read the welder instruction manual. Find a friend who knows how to weld and practice what you want to do. Find a safe place to work and practice.I can't teach you to weld over the internet, so you really need a friend who can demonstrate the techniques. Otherwise, you're in for a lot of frustration. There are some basic books, like "Welder's Handbook", by Finch, that can give you a basic overview of welding techniques. Miller's website also has some good basic info. If you don't get a teacher of some kind, expect to spend a couple hours reading, and several hours practicing what you read before you're ready to make your repair.Move the elliptical to your workspace. Clean the paint from around the crack. Make certain there isn't any wiring nearby, inside the tubing you're welding. Heat from welding could cause it to melt. Depending on the size of the crack, you might want to simply weld over it, or you may be better served by reinforcing the area. Again, an experienced welder could better advise you after seeing the work firsthand. Are you getting the sense that this isn't something you can just pick up and do on your own?
Reply:My $.02, but welding on something of an unknown composition that, were it to fail, could result in injury, is not a good first time learning experience.
Reply:Maybe a small kit I could pick up from a dept store could do the trick?
Reply:I would image that the elliptical trainer is either aluminum or chrome moly. Of course if it were Chinese, it could be made from cast iron, who knows?Sounds like the OP wants to call upon old JB to fix it from his statement...a kit...NO NO NO EPOXY! That ain't welding. Its something but it ain't welding. Sounds like someone really abused this thing. Must be too much weight... or too much power. In either case call the humane society for abuse of trainers.Last edited by lugweld; 12-08-2008 at 06:08 PM.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldI would image that the elliptical trainer is either aluminum or chrome moly. Of course if it were Chinese, it could be made from cast iron, who knows?Sounds like the OP wants to call upon old JB to fix it from his statement...a kit...NO NO NO EPOXY! That ain't welding. Its something but it ain't welding. Sounds like someone really abused this thing. Must be too much weight... or too much power. In either case call the humane society for abuse of trainers.
Reply:where are ya an in Va? if you're close enough, i'll come and set some stuff on fire for you for a Mt. Dew and a bag of chips http://kawispeed.com/ -moderator and tech deluxewww.myspace.com/trickortrack -cuz i have no life
Reply:Musta fixed itselfEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Hi again,Sorry I had gotten busy with school and work etc. I have included a picture of the area in question, it measures about 3 inches in width, and is where the base connects to the support at the front of the elliptical machine. We have not used it but it has been used obviously. I believe both connecting pieces are steel. Let me know what you all would reccomend.Thanks for the many responses, I can't believe it!sorry the image is a little blurry, the crack makes the front half wobble some but doesnt seem like it will come off Attached Images
Reply:Heck, that's easy. Just get Sundown to patch it up for you for a case of good beer. I bet he'd teach you how to do it in a half an hour for a simple one like that!!!And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:If you want to learn how to weld go a head and pick up a Lincoln Pro Mig at Lowes.The 120v machine will work but if you have access to or the ability to add a 240v Circuit then the 240v Machine is a much better choice.Practice on some scrap and weld that broken joint.Biggest PIA is that you will have to remove as much paint as possible before welding.The Fluxcore that comes with the machine will do the job.If you don't want to learn how and just ant it fixed take it to those that have offered or ask on CL.Worst case repair is just go get an angle bracket at Lowes or HD and a couple self tapping Sheet metal screws.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Rojo,Simple repair.First thing though, is grinding out all that "bird droppings".Made to order for a HH187.Kinda makes you wonder about the other welds though.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Five minutes of welding, but first there's 45 minutes of cutting and grinding!Bring chips/soda/beer to one of the folks who have offered to help fix it, and it will be taken care of.Or spend $500+ to buy a welder and the associated 'things' that go along with it (hood, gloves, grinder, wire brush/brushes for grinder, flap discs for grinder, grinding wheels for grinder, etc) yourself, and some scrap or practice pieces to practice on, and practice for a while (some instruction from another welder or from a vo-tech course may be needed or at least worthwhile), and then you can fix it yourself.And sundown, that's not bird-droppings. At least it -looks- like a weld. I know we've all seen 'factory' welds that are avian-related-crap. The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ... |
|
发表于 2021-9-1 00:48:36