Lawn Mower Throttle Bracket TIG Repair

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A guy at work gave me a 'dead' 21" Troy-Bilt self propelled push mower that was a prime candidate for the good running 6.5hp B&S I salvaged off the 22" my neighbor gave me that had the mower pan and handle held together with wire, wooden blocks and electrical tape - literally!Anyhow, the only problem with the good engine off the 22" was the throttle linkage bracket was broken and held together only by one air filter housing screw and the two screws holding a plastic cowling piece that screws to the throttle bracket.  The break was clean and I felt perfect for a no filler TIG weld so I broke out the 180 SD and gave it a go.  Due to all the parts and pieces of the linkage and bracket it was a little tricky for this inexperienced TIG weldor to get the torch in a good position to be able to see the arc and one was done left-handed so I know the beads could have looked better but I'm pleased with the results knowing I still need more practice.  A couple shots are a little blury as the camera had so many things to focus I didn't realize the weld area wasn't clear.3/32" red tungsten ground to a 'flat' point per manual exampleDCEN55amps max.100% argon @ 10cfhThe two pieces of the throttle bracket.The bracket back together.Close-up of flat weld done left-handed (I'm right-handed).  I know - it needs work and now that I see it, I should have continued the weld from the end off the upper joint around the radius of the notch and down the lower joint.Close-up of edge weld #1.Close-up of edge weld #2.  There wasn't any reason to run the whole edge as the rest was below the break.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 sure wish I could discuss the weld with you.  The process is, and always will be, foreign to me.But it looks like a hard to do short weld.  Very little time to get the heat to it in order to build a good puddle.  With my stuff, I'd have a good chance at a cold weld.  What you got there looks like the heat was almost instantaneous, and fused the base metal in short order.Your beginning to work with this stuff is starting to get me interested in it."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI sure wish I could discuss the weld with you.  The process is, and always will be, foreign to me.But it looks like a hard to do short weld.  Very little time to get the heat to it in order to build a good puddle.  With my stuff, I'd have a good chance at a cold weld.  What you got there looks like the heat was almost instantaneous, and fused the base metal in short order.Your beginning to work with this stuff is starting to get me interested in it.
Reply:Clarence may be goin' on dry dog food for a while instead of the expensive stuff"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammClarence may be goin' on dry dog food for a while instead of the expensive stuff
Reply:stick & mig = a ferrari going down the road: fast, but not much chance for course corrections.tig = an amish horse and buggy: able to see a pothole 10 feet in front of you and still having plenty of time to course-correct.Ok so maybe a weak analogy, but until you try tig you can't imagine the level of control.Nice bracket !- John
Reply:Duane.... I believe he heard us talkin' Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by runchmanstick & mig = a ferrari going down the road: fast, but not much chance for course corrections.tig = an amish horse and buggy: able to see a pothole 10 feet in front of you and still having plenty of time to course-correct.Ok so maybe a weak analogy, but until you try tig you can't imagine the level of control.Nice bracket !- John
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammDuane.... I believe he heard us talkin'
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55What's his favorite cut of meat?
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammUsed to be, when he was younger, anything not fast enough to get away
Reply:Nice job Duane. It does look a little close quartered there. Show us the mower when you git it back together.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:Great analogy by runchman.Duane, not so long ago, that repair would have been an ideal candidate for a braze repair and poking a gas torch at it would leave more room for visibility. But as can be seen form your tig repair, it's ideal with such control over heat area. Excellent recycling too, when you can put two salvaged pieces together to get an operating machine. If you're worried about the weld, just go easy on the throttle!"One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:I love these kinds of posts!  Exactly why I bought my mig welder (I know this fix is TIG).Something is broke...someone else thinks it's junk... and lo and behold it can be fixed by melting some metal together...love it!Very cool, thanks for posting.
Reply:hey farmersamm, i like that dog....
Reply:Originally Posted by STwelderNice job Duane. It does look a little close quartered there. Show us the mower when you git it back together.
Reply:Originally Posted by STwelderNice job Duane. It does look a little close quartered there. Show us the mower when you git it back together.
Reply:That's a good $300 mower sittin' there.  The repair work payed off.As you go along, the cost of the new welding goodies will be offset by the work you're able to do."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersamm The repair work payed off.As you go along, the cost of the new welding goodies will be offset by the work you're able to do.