Work pics

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Took pics with my phone of a few things things I did today at work. I don't use solid wire at work too often just because the material is so rotten, I find it too finicky (sp?) and inconvenient versus pulling the stick leads out.  The pics in this post are solid wire with c-25. I tried to clean the best I could but kept getting porosity. I welded it hot for the most part and kept turning up the wire speed until it spattered a bit, and that seemed to help with the porosity issue. A little spatter wont hurt the weld quality but it is unsightly. I don't recommend welding over spatter though, I remember seeing a bend test that broke that was riddled with bbs on the inside and never forgot it. Attached ImagesNothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:Here in this post are 2 pics of a fish plate i had to bend to match the curve of the trailing arm, welded with 1/8th 7018. I had to plate here because the top of the trailing arm was cracked and rotted away. I am not a fan of welding straight across structural members but thats what they want us to do. So my little loophole is to semi circle the place across and welded it fast as seal pass.The last pic is a frame crack through a fish plate. I guess it was easier for this to be repaired like it was at the time. However it obviously wasn't permanent. If you are going to plate something like that take it to both flanges. Its easier for welding for one, and for another its stronger, it ties in, and not just a bubble gum scab. Also there should have been a plate across the bottom flange, following the curve of the frame, skinnier than the flange, skinny enough to keep off the edges of the flange. The plates should never be terminated at the same place, I call it a fault line. Attached ImagesNothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:There's a huge amount of stress on the frame when the trailer is jackknifed when backing/turning etc.  Was this an area that was affected by this kind of stress?  It's a problem with all types of suspensions, but I'd imagine it's even worse with air ride.  The trailing arm is a giant lever, as opposed to a conventional leaf spring hanger or equalizer.One reason I don't like air ride.The trailing arm repair looks good.  At least you had some good steel to weld to.  These stupid trailing arms are a collect-all for moisture, and seem to decay from the inside out.Yet another reason I don't like air ride."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I am not too sure of all the reasons they break there. The frame does narrow out there, and that axle stop could have something to do with it. Its age, rustyness, Jackknifing, hard hitting connections, and rough mill yards are all factors.I had another trailing arm to plate. It was welding beautifully but then I started to get to get porosity out of no where! It wouldnt stop either! I had to grind it out and finish with the stick. No time to piss around with crap like that. Now that i think of it I never checked the pressure in the bottle.  I took a pic of the repair that my co worker did to that broken frame. Attached ImagesNothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:the rest of em. Attached ImagesNothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:Good looking work. Looks like it was a pain in the butt. Frame work is never easy.72 Chevy Cummins Project94 3500HD Welding Rig build Sold NOV 2011