Trailer hitch

admin

Bought this demo trailer from my brother last year, got tired of pounding the hitch with a hammer.Nothing to brag about in this thread and have a few questions too.Had trouble with vision on this deal, tried my Miller Elite and could see fine looking down, but looking up with the sky in the background I was blind. Happen to anyone else? First time for me.Had to grind out the first two welds and switch to an old fixed shade and a pair of cheater glasses.Ain't the old hitch a beauty? Jacked up so I have a better working height.Found the old hitch was hiding these two nice cuts...A little better.Hey who put that drooper there! Ground it off so no witnesses Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Hitch was a little loose as it got back to the angled weld.Put a couple a passes down to build it up, then welded it together - same on the other side.Next time I do one I'll hammer it down till it fits - anyone else find they had to do that?Attachment 717231Has some primer, must be done Performed better than I did - look at all the time I spent making that awesome cart! Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 05-12-2014 at 11:59 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:but way is the new coupler already rusty?There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerbut wHy is the new coupler already rusty?
Reply:Don't forget to move the jack back so that your tailgate don't hit it.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Put on a sweatshirt and pull the hood up over your shield, it will block out backlight. Or get a pancake.I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:not to sound like an arse, but the coupler you removed is probably one of the better ones on the market.could have easily been fixed for about $15http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-.../BD024200.html
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerbut way is the new coupler already rusty?
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikePut on a sweatshirt and pull the hood up over your shield, it will block out backlight. Or get a pancake.
Reply:Originally Posted by Mebordernot to sound like an arse, but the coupler you removed is probably one of the better ones on the market.could have easily been fixed for about $15http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-.../BD024200.html
Reply:Originally Posted by welderjDon't forget to move the jack back so that your tailgate don't hit it.
Reply:Primer holds the world together because it is the same color as duct tape.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveTrue, but it was when I was looking up - the old fixed shade didn't give me that problem. Not sure why the auto dark did. Pancake gets bonus points for being cool though too
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelPrimer holds the world together because it is the same color as duct tape.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeNo...I meant go eat breakfast and i'll finish the fcking thing for you with no bitchin and moaning!
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveHaha! More often then not - it's the finished paint job for my stuff
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelMe to. That's why i use red oxide primer. It isn't so obvious that it isn't painted.
Reply:Millermatic 135Craftsman 7 Hp 80 Gallon           2 stage compressor
Reply:Hey I like that black! If it comes in a $3 rattle can at the hardware store I'm in Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:http://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Oleu...5198/202058600GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:That looks almost too high tech for me - but next time I go to the store I'll definitely pick some up Couldn't hurt to try it and see how it performs.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Let me know. I'm skeptical about anything that is "all in one" or "hybrid".GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:The existing is a ''Bulldog hitch''. I would say that it the best hitch you can buy especially if you tow 8,000 pounds . The one you installed is great for light loads.
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelLet me know. I'm skeptical about anything that is "all in one" or "hybrid".
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1The existing is a ''Bulldog hitch''. I would say that it the best hitch you can buy especially if you tow 8,000 pounds . The one you installed is great for light loads.Finished putting the jack and new chains on it in the dark last Friday night - stick welded same as the hitch.Needed it Saturday morning to haul junk for a guy - always nice to have side work so the kids can earn money too.Bent those rings to hold the chains out of 3/8" round. Not seen is a second plate underneath to help support the jack.Nice to not pound on it with a hammer anymore and to have chains that aren't weak and bent Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Looks good, should be a lot better than it was.Yeah, I know, but it'll be ok!Lincoln Square wave 255Miller Vintage mig30a spoolgunThermal Dynamics Pacmaster 100xl plasmaSmith mc torchEllis 1600 band saw
Reply:Thanks, I think so too - I never cared for the practice of welding the hitch on top of the rail like it was.No real reason that I can think of - just never liked the looks really.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Nice welder you got there Dave.Wanna buy another??? http://anchorage.craigslist.org/tls/4467689875.htmlJust a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Yeah I like it so far - it actually welds nearly identical to my dinosaur 1963 Airco 300 - best welder I've used so far Yikes that's a pile of money for an inverter!!  Especially since I don't really trust them yet My Airco just seems to melt 7018's without effort - tough act to follow.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveYeah I like it so far - it actually welds nearly identical to my dinosaur 1963 Airco 300 - best welder I've used so far Yikes that's a pile of money for an inverter!!  Especially since I don't really trust them yet My Airco just seems to melt 7018's without effort - tough act to follow.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopNice welder you got there Dave.Wanna buy another??? http://anchorage.craigslist.org/tls/4467689875.html
Reply:Maybe I missed it but, I would make sure there is a lower support plate on the jack. It will save the jack from bending like a straw, usually. 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 tanglediverMaybe I missed it but, I would make sure there is a lower support plate on the jack. It will save the jack from bending like a straw, usually.
Reply:SuperArc, I see you and I share a cynical view of technology Sadly I think your prediction is correct.  If this Invertec is an example of what the expensive ones can do, the welding aspect will be fine - but the machines will all be throw away - even the expensive ones.Throw away technology bothers me.Edit:  now that I think about it, some politician will likely ban old transformer welders eventually because they use too much power....Last edited by MinnesotaDave; 05-24-2014 at 10:04 AM.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveSuperArc, I see you and I share a cynical view of technology Sadly I think your prediction is correct.  If this Invertec is an example of what the expensive ones can do, the welding aspect will be fine - but the machines will all be throw away - even the expensive ones.Throw away technology bothers me.Edit:  now that I think about it, some politician will likely ban old transformer welders eventually because they use too much power....
Reply:super arc i agree...... although my local menards has a ton of 100 watters.... i may go buy a pile of them! my old machine is a 40's era AC transformer machine. i smelt a odd smell in the garage........ HOT Welder! doubt a inverter would go beyond that hot electric smell.
Reply:About being "Tired of beating on it with a hammer" gotta agree.  Only way to close a Bulldog is to smack it with a hammer on the pivot, even with the ones that have the sleeve controlled by a lever.  But, once it's closed, it's bulletproof.  Won't come loose.  Always tell K'kins that I gotta smack it with the "log", but she just laughs, and says "gimme a break, I'VE SEEN IT)I think you did a good job of closing the gap on the new hitch.  They never fit right, and there's always a gap between the hitch, and the tongue.There's a bit of whipping in your weld.  Hard to miss.  And I'd go to the mat with you, and back you up on whether it's a good weld.  I'd say it's good if it's been a fine controlled whip without removing the rod from the face of the puddle.  It's just a matter of pushing the filler back up into the puddle while it's still fluid.  Not a real problem with slag entrapment, despite what the purists say.Hard to do an overhead weld without worrying that it will spill.  It's all a state of mind.  Ignore the crap falling on the ground with an AUDIBLE SPLAT  It's just the slag, not the puddle  Nice bit of oscillation, or straight drag will usually do.  On the drag, sometimes it won't completely fill the gap, and you have to make another pass.  (for the new guys)Another thing that works is a pronounced side-to-side motion.  It's common to do a drag weld, and it slumps.  It's natural.  You can't fill a wide bead in one pass with a straight drag overhead.  (for the new guys)To beat this problem, move the rod side to side, from toe to toe.  It allows the puddle to semi freeze, and build a full width bead.  The movement to the outer toe has to be fast, or you destroy the "drag" characteristic of the weld.  Just enough to spread the filler to where you want it.  And for God's Sake...stay at the face of the puddle.  It's fast, and goes along with a pretty slow progression.  Sound weird??????  Biggest mistake is to hurry when doing an overhead weld.  You actually need to slow down somewhat in order to get a proper bead profile. (for the new guys)And turn up the amps, or at least leave them where you'd leave them for a flat weld.  Problem with overhead is the tendancy for the arc to "drown" in the puddle.  You need to run it hot to keep the arc lit.  (for the new guys)"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Always good to hear from you Sam - your trailer turned out really nice Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveHey I like that black! If it comes in a $3 rattle can at the hardware store I'm in