I Had To Go To The Hospital Today. . .

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. . .to fix one of these.  A radiant heater used in the ER for the NurseryIt seems someone grabbed the very heavy unit by the fold-down front and broke the corner support that the front and side pivots in and latches them when in the 'up' position. This is a good support used as a pattern showing the latch.  The spring forces against the side pivot pin and holds it into the latch when up.  The springs from the damaged one were discarded by hospital personnel along with the broken support so a new rigid corner support w/o a latch was proposed and accepted.Laid out the patterns for the base of the 'transplant' on a piece of 3/16" mild steel plate. . .. . .and cut it out with the Hypertherm Powermax 350 set on 27amps.  Although the one in the torch wasn't that bad, I used a new nozzle to assure a clean cut.  The old one will be used for rougher work next time it's needed.This was a rather long 'operation' so I have 12 more photos planned so please stand by for a few more posts.Sponge!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I'll let the photos do most of the talking.New base checked against pattern support for proper fit.Mounting holes drilled and tapped for 10-32 panhead fasteners.Fit up of all transplant pieces. . . . . .and compared to the pattern.Just a couple more.Clamp!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:The first sutchers with 1/16" 2% Thoriated, 180 SD set for 115amps maximum, 100% argon at 12CFH, .030 ER70S-6 thread.All stitched up and ready for smoothing all the edges and corners to prevent the little ones and pretty nurses from getting scratched.Painted up and ready for the patient.Just a couple more.Wipe please!MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:The new support installed and everything in place.Operation successful and patient in the recovery room.A special thanks to the best looking nurse on the floor for taking the action shots.Thanks for looking.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Hey, Duane.That looks like you figured out a solution that will work and saved them the cost of a new unit or at least parts. I'm always impressed with how creative forum members are!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Youre an amazing dude, Dude.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Very Cool Duane
Reply:You reckon they will give you a discount if you ever boo boo and have to go in.
Reply:Great repair Duane! I was concerned for a second that your trip to the hospital may have been of a more personal nature.Glad to lear it was something other than you that needed fixing........ pgDynasty 200 DX_set up to run on 3 phaseCoolmate 3MM 251 w/ Spoolmatic 30AHTP 625 Micro Cut Plasma CutterVictor O/A RigBridgeport Mill_3 phase10 inch South Bend Lathe_3 phaseQuincy 325 2 Stg. Air Compressor_3 phase
Reply:Thanks guys.  It was actually quite fun.wb4rt - it's kind of sad actually.  I was told maintenance couldn't fix it and I'm not saying their maintenance department should be a fab shop but one of the nurses took it upon herself to get what looked like electrial lamp parts, some sheetmetal screws and attempted to fabricate a temporary corner support.  Unfortunately it wasn't very secure so they sidelined it and resolved to wait on maintenance for who knows how long.  That's when a really good looking nurse asked me if there was anything I could do and of course I'm a push over when it comes to that particular nurse so the rest is history.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Duane, nice repair as usual. Is there anything you won't work on?Peter
Reply:Originally Posted by castweldIs there anything you won't work on?
Reply:Most maintenance workers are more concerned about the big things that go wrong.  Most hospitals will replace a piece of equipment because no-one knows how to repair it or where to get a $5.00 part from.Great save.  You know when health care reform comes in, you just saved my tax dollars.  I bow to your expertise on this Duane!!!MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Who says you can't use a chipping hammer when tig welding parts? 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 MarkBall2Most maintenance workers are more concerned about the big things that go wrong.  Most hospitals will replace a piece of equipment because no-one knows how to repair it or where to get a $5.00 part from.
Reply:I was amazed working in the xray instal field that the companies only have to keep parts around for 5 years buy law. They frequently change product designs specifically to out date parts and dump old ones. Can't get the board you need for your $50K machine, either chance a used board or just scrap it and buy new. Wouldn't surprise me if thats not standard across the board in the medical field.One thing I found on "repairs" on these sorts of things, hospitals are VERY concious of liability issues. Often larger places will replace rather than jury rig an item, no matter how well designed, to limit any chance of a suit.Duane, I noticed the nurse trird to center up your crotch in the photo, but you kept your hand in a strategic spot. Bit shy? I think she may be trying to tell you something...
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55A radiant heater used in the ER for the Nursery.
Reply:Originally Posted by Craig in DenverOBTW: That particularly wonderful Nurse wouldn't be Judy, would it??
Reply:Nice repair work, very clean and simple.However, during all this time, I notice the only person in any of the pictures was you ............... where's the one of the "best-looking nurse on the floor", proudly showing off the new repair?
Reply:Nice work but it sounds like you had some "encouragement" to do it. Thought there for a minute you had dinged yourself.
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyNice repair work, very clean and simple.However, during all this time, I notice the only person in any of the pictures was you ............... where's the one of the "best-looking nurse on the floor", proudly showing off the new repair?
Reply:Doggoneit Duane!You had me goin, I thought I would click on this and hear that you done dropped that new press on your foot or something! Glad to hear the patient wasn't you!Nice fix! #1. If you don't like what I wrote, or if it offends you, then don't read it!#2. I am living life the way I see fit, if you don't like the way I'M living, tough sh**!
Reply:I like seeing engine and roll bar kinda stuff....What you did is more important!!!! Nice job from a Father of three... (girls!)
Reply:great repair and fab of part...now tobe devils advocate...in todays world of liability and blood thirsty lawyers..a  non rusting plastic part is replaced with a metal part not the same( doesnt unlatch) after being cleaned for seveal months and it starts to rust or someone bangs the kids head on it and an injury occurs, who is liable?? the hospital for approving the work or the builder of the part..unfortunatley anything we do you must second and third guess what might happen down the road..and in a hospital and dealing with newborns just raises the stakes to overwelming...not to tale away from he great work just food for thought...
Reply:down right freaking awesome..you do very nice workhm,... looks like an Ohio Infant Warmer (we call em' baby bakers at work), even got a GE Dash 4000 monitor, (we have both bed and monitor in our NICU at work) in there too, I actually work on that stuff for a living. I can't say I've had to replace that part before, but odd that GE (they bought Datex Ohmeda) doesn't offer it anymore. Although I could have swiped one from a bed being thrown out and mailed it to ya LOL. Does that hospital not have a Biomedical Engineering/ Clinical Engineering Dept?? Maintenance usually doesn't work on stuff like that, at least not at our hospital.
Reply:Judy thinks you may be referring to the first photo instead of the last one.  The first photo is of a newer unit that was in the nursery while the last photo was the older unit that was removed from service and featured in the thread.And yes you are correct, Judy did say it was Biomed Dept. that said parts are no longer available and I mistakenly accused Maintenance.She also told me about Biomed coming unglued when she took it upon herself to make one good isolette out of three awhile back because they needed more and the floor had been asking BM to fix them for months with no results.  It's too bad the floor has to take it upon themselves to fix the equipment they need to do their job.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by onehundredoctanehm,... looks like an Ohio Infant Warmer (we call em' baby bakers at work), even got a GE Dash 4000 monitor, (we have both bed and monitor in our NICU at work) in there too, I actually work on that stuff for a living.
Reply:Judy says her hair usually starts to burn long before.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:from a learner...how did you weld the inside of the last two pieces of the box section?[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Global warming = rising sea levels = more fishing spotsBring it on...
Reply:If you mean here. . . I didn't.Outside beads only except the first two at the bottom of the corner angle.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks.  That's exactly where I meant.  I was puzzled over how you could get in there.  But some of the things you do are unreal, so I thought that you may have worked some magic.I worked out how to use the red arrows - thanks for that, too[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Global warming = rising sea levels = more fishing spotsBring it on...
Reply:Pretty tight in there with that being 1-1/2" angle and the 3/4" 'returns'.  Might make a good torch holder though.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Nice work Duane.Any pretty single nurses down there?  I hear big hair is still "in" in Texas. See if you can find me a chubby little blond with big hair Joewww.CummingsHauling.com
Reply:Duane,  Nice job there, and a satisfying one as well I'm sure. Joe,  "See if you can find me a chubby little blond with big hair"You stay away from my girlfriends! LOL3M TA3
Reply:eh, you run into it sometimes, sucks. (off the welding topic, but on topic with baby bakers) I have a unit that isn't even 5 years old laying on it's back right now with a part on back order, every other form of an incubator being used, and all that is holing up the downed unit I have is a $129 part that GE has on back order. Great fab work none the less. Wish I had the time to put into something so precise.
Reply:Nice bit of fabricating DuaneIs there anything you can't fix????"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by 99trxriderdown right freaking awesome..you do very nice work
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55I can't seem to fix me for starters.
Reply:Ahhhh .... shooting blanks, Craig?  ....... (Boy, this topic has REALLY taken a left turn somewhere ......) Good to hear that the job was accepted, and everything seems to have gone well.  Now, about that chubby little blonde with the big hair .......
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyNow, about that chubby little blonde with the big hair .......