The scary things running down the road

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Here's a little example of why so many on here start yelling when beginners start talking about welding on trailers. The sad thing is that these where done by a shop somewhere (obviously not a welding shop). I came real close to turning the job down but decided it would be better if I did rather than someone who didn't know what they where doing like the first time. This new airbag saddle was put on not long ago. The pics tell the story real well but suffice it to say they where done with a MIG by someone who didn't know what they where doing. While I can't say that it's some of my best looking welding I do know that it's burned in real good. All my repair was done with 1/8" 7018 with my Legend.  Sorry about the blurry pics but I only had my phone with me. Most of the weld on the axle I took off with a chisel and a few taps. There was one small spot that forced me to use the torch.  More pics in the next post. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Here's the final pics. I had to make some pieces to make up for what the original repairers had cut away. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:We had 40+ trailers with that exact same suspension on them.  Although we never had to replace any of the mounts or "A" side frames, we did install many bushings on those HUGE sway/torsion bars.  A lot of people don't maintenance those bushings properly and they end up wollering out the bolt holes, which ends up having to replace those mounts on the axle tubes.  Either those or the big "A" side plates.  I could do those bushings with my eyes closed now-a-days.I've got the OEM manuals on those suspensions if you need any specs.Nice re-repair.
Reply:When I was in high school people built entire trailers with MIG,  Needless to say I don't like following those guys down the road when I see them around town.  I don't know why people insist on using MIG on heavy duty/ high stress stuff like this!
Reply:Originally Posted by PachecoweldWhen I was in high school people built entire trailers with MIG,  Needless to say I don't like following those guys down the road when I see them around town.  I don't know why people insist on using MIG on heavy duty/ high stress stuff like this!
Reply:Originally Posted by PachecoweldWhen I was in high school people built entire trailers with MIG,  Needless to say I don't like following those guys down the road when I see them around town.  I don't know why people insist on using MIG on heavy duty/ high stress stuff like this!
Reply:x2 DSW. nothing at all wrong with using mig. you just need to know how to do more than make a pretty bead. how many fab shops use stick in your area? i know of none in my area. with 3million miles behind the wheel in 48 and canada with my own rigs i would trust that repair you did Irish.Last edited by jbmprods; 10-21-2011 at 12:37 AM.225NT bobcatAEAD200LEScott 125mm175, mm252 w 30A, PT225mm211, TA 181iHyper Therm 380, cut master 529100X & XX, Digital Elite6 Victor setssmith little torch, meco midget kalamazoo band sawsteel max saw evoulution circular saw
Reply:I agree with you.A lot of people don't maintenance those bushings properly and they end up wollering out the bolt holesEveryday is a beautiful day.
Reply:I'm pretty sure that was the case here. He's got to fix the bushings on the back next. The thing is now he's wanting me to do it and it's really not what I'm set up for.  I agree on the MIG as well. If I could of gotten it to my shop I might of used it for the repair (if the wind stayed down enough).  But in the field stick is still the best way to go especially around here with the winds we have.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:I guess my question is what caused this? Some joker turned his machine way down at the production facility because he didn't like the heat? or was this just a real poor repair?The trailer looks new enough that it might be the original work that was bad (or that opinion could have come from living in the rust belt).Last edited by Groo; 10-21-2011 at 09:29 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWMig is used all the time on heavy duty/ high stress things. I've got a friend who does 60% of the repairs he does on heavy cranes with gas mig. He's not using some little 110v mig however. A good 250 amp plus mig has plenty of power for almost any sort of repair or fabrication within reason. You just have to have the skills and knowledge to use it correctly.
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixitI'm pretty sure that was the case here. He's got to fix the bushings on the back next. The thing is now he's wanting me to do it and it's really not what I'm set up for.
Reply:Originally Posted by paintman40...  Make sure to use the lubricant provided with the kit.We've done it with two men, but three men is best.  One man on each side of the bar and one guy underneath to get them in an out ...
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWAdd this one to "things that just sound wrong" taken out of context.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammer
Reply:.".We've done it with two men, but three men is best. One man on each side of the bar and one guy underneath to get them in an out".........WOW, that just sounds wrong!!Last edited by DemonSpeeder; 10-21-2011 at 03:55 PM.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:Originally Posted by LawsonWeldingLLCProbably one of the more interesting comments ive read in awhile , please do your research, oh and while your at it go ahead and weld with some 1/8" 7018 at 120 amps, macro etch it then go ahead grab some .035 75/25 ar/co2 pushed around 22.v 360-380 wfs macro etch it and use a caliper to measure both specimens for penetration characteristic.
Reply:Originally Posted by PachecoweldWhen I was in high school people built entire trailers with MIG,  Needless to say I don't like following those guys down the road when I see them around town.  I don't know why people insist on using MIG on heavy duty/ high stress stuff like this!
Reply:Pachecoweld  -  come from a structural steel background , so from what i've learned  - short circuit  shouldn't be used for high stress / high load areas .   Can you explain where or how you was taught this theory. Have you been involved in or around any production / assembly welding -  are they using stick ? Just curious where this idea is being taught.   thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by Swamp ratPachecoweld  -  come from a structural steel background , so from what i've learned  - short circuit  shouldn't be used for high stress / high load areas .   Can you explain where or how you was taught this theory. Have you been involved in or around any production / assembly welding -  are they using stick ? Just curious where this idea is being taught.   thanks
Reply:Originally Posted by paintman40There is a kit available to do the bushings without having to remove the bar, but its nothing more than a bolt/nut assembly and washers.  Not worth a ****.  We remove the bar from the trailer and take it to a 20ton shop press to remove/install the new bushings.  Make sure to use the lubricant provided with the kit.We've done it with two men, but three men is best.  One man on each side of the bar and one guy underneath to get them in an out of the suspension.  It takes an arsenal of large pry bars, a good BFH and sometimes a 4 ton bottle jack.  The bars always get twisted one way or the other when going back in and need "adjusting"   Don't use the plastic washers on each end of the bushing, use the metal ones.I'm not saying one man can't do this, but I will call them a fool for trying this solo.  Your just asking to get hurt.  With three of us hitting the trailer, we can have both bars removed, repaired and reinstalled in about an hour.  We got pretty good at them.
Reply:Originally Posted by irish fixit  Thanks. I use mig a lot as well. In fact I welded the rod end on a cylinder just yesterday using it. I do think that you need some experience to know when the weld is right or not. I've seen a lot of good looking bad mig welds and even made a few myself before I started learning what to look for. The problem here was that the welds didn't even look good much less hold anything. It shouldn't of been let out of the shop like that.