10hrs...

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10hrs for this little job... too slow? Took off the old tie down track and installed a new one with new hook rail under the bed. I felt like I was motoring right along while i was doing it. Lot of work in getting the old track off.www.facebook.com/gstreetworksLincoln Power Mig 210 Miller Maxstar 150Lincoln Idealarc 250/250 G Street Works LLC
Reply:the new track....www.facebook.com/gstreetworksLincoln Power Mig 210 Miller Maxstar 150Lincoln Idealarc 250/250 G Street Works LLC
Reply:Some of the most difficult welds are the 2G welds joining curved surfaces.  The track upper surface has the same profile as square tubing, a curved radius. While the underside of the bed is a straight surface.  Combination of the two makes for a pretty deep notch to fill, and it's narrow at the root.I used to do these with 1/8 rod, but was really never happy with the penetration at the root.  Nowdays I'm using 3/32 to get into the root as tight as I can.  The smaller rod allows you to get right in there.  Sometimes I have to do a second fill pass with 1/8 rod because the 3/32 won't fill the notch effectively, but I feel it's worth the extra work.  Welding is a PITA sometimesSomething like this is where wire welding really excels.  The stickout varies with the depth of the notch automatically, and usually does a good job penetrating the root while at the same time filling the joint.  Up to a point I mean you can't expect it to work miracles in all situations where a lot of filler is required.  Try to pile in too much filler, and the weld winds up cold.  Welding is a PITA sometimes"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Good eye! thanks for noticing that those are not easy welds to do well. I agree on the 1/8 vs 3/32, I used some of each on this but I can't really fill any more with the 1/8 if you keep it hot enough to really do the job. I burned 6011 favoring the overhead dirty, pitted steel and then tied that in with a pass of 7018. That tracks not coming off. It was too dirty to weld with any wire I've ever used, besides, Stick is what I've got.www.facebook.com/gstreetworksLincoln Power Mig 210 Miller Maxstar 150Lincoln Idealarc 250/250 G Street Works LLC
Reply:How much of the track did you replace?Mike
Reply:All of it, but it is only on one side of the bed. also added the rail under the bed.www.facebook.com/gstreetworksLincoln Power Mig 210 Miller Maxstar 150Lincoln Idealarc 250/250 G Street Works LLC
Reply:I've done a few of these, slide track. I would cut them out with a torch and hard wire weld using pointed nozzle .035. Their usually more toward the frame, about 2 inches away from the side seal. These do bend out ward over time so try and get a good weld on the inner corner. As you probably know that is DOT so make sure everything is done all the way or the finger will be pointed at you. Turn it up, at that angle with the mig gun there will be a stickout. You will get it though.