ac stainless to mild

admin

I have to weld a trailer jack to the frame.  Bracket for the jack is stainless, the frame is mild steel.  Problem is I only have access to an old, old ac machine.  will 309 rod work well on ac machines, or at all? I've only used straight ac once...
Reply:I doubt that jack is a true stainless like 304 or 316. the cost would most likely be prohibitive. Chances are it's just enough "stainless" to limit rusting or it's plated.You can weld stainless to mild with normal rods like 7018 or 7014. You will loose the stainless element in the weld material however. Not a big deal in this case as the frame will rust anyways. I'm not a big fan of suggesting people weld on trailer frames however. Usually this means welding vertical for this sort of project and I've seen some horrible undercutting from amateur welders in vertical. Since many trailer frames are already as thin as possible to save weight and cut costs, this usually means they seriously weaken a critical part of the trailer. Add to that the fact most people I know chronically overload small trailers as they haven't a clue how much weight they have put on them. As long as the trailers tires are still semi round and the truck can barely move they think they are good to go.There's a good reason most jacks come with mounting holes for bolts. #1 a few holes in the web of the frame really doesn't seriously affect the strength of the member. A truss is full of "holes" and still maintains it's strength. You just don't want to drill the top and bottom flanges. #2 I have yet to see any of those jacks that haven't been damaged at some point because the driver failed to pull them up 100% or they didn't rotate them. Bolts make repairs simple and usually you can do it in the field after they bury it in the asphalt without the need for a torch so you can move the trailer..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:My bet would be the jack is galvanized...not stainless
Reply:Originally Posted by BCTimberwolfMy bet would be the jack is galvanized...not stainless
Reply:[QUOTE=DSW;558424]. As long as the trailers tires are still semi round and the truck can barely move they think they are good to go.Are you saying that this is not the recomended loading limit?  The minivan's front wheels are mostly still toughing the road. laugh:
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWI'm not a big fan of suggesting people weld on trailer frames however. Usually this means welding vertical for this sort of project and I've seen some horrible undercutting from amateur welders in vertical.
Reply:Originally Posted by rustyironAre you saying that this is not the recomended loading limit?  The minivan's front wheels are mostly still toughing the road. laugh:
Reply:Did a spark test on the plate today.  After a brief grind it sparked up. It was just plated...Last edited by jml; 09-29-2011 at 09:15 PM.
Reply:And guys and gals, I'm a Boilermaker not a solderer.  Just joined the group yesterday, haven't detailed my profile.Cheers!Boilermaker
Reply:nice credsMiller Syncrowave 180SDLincoln WeldPak 100 with gasHandheld Milwaukee BandsawO/A Cutting Torch
Reply:Originally Posted by jmlAnd guys and gals, I'm a Boilermaker not a solderer.  Just joined the group yesterday, haven't detailed my profile.Cheers!