Help?!?!?

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Oh boy!  This is embarassing!   I need somebody to do a PROJECT for me!     Phoenix / Tempe AZ, this week.Got these pretty wheels on my truck (94 K-Blazer) and - time flies - they're 20 years old!  Pic#1.  Just can't go out and buy replacements! Used to wash and wax the inside every year so they looked pretty thru the spokes.  But since I've only been driving a couple thousand miles a year for the last 5 yrs, haven't cleaned them recently.  So the inside looked like pic#2.  After I clean, I find a surprise in pic #3!  Checked with the local wheel repair / refinish places and they don't want to weld it.  Pretty close to the bead and their liability guidelines don't allow it. Although in the old days as welders, no problem!   It's on the inside, opposite the (high stress) spokes.  With a nice bead, no finishing required inside or out.  Leaving for a little country drive next Monday and would rather have this on the truck than as a spare.  Was wondering if anyone in the valley could grind out and TIG this for me.  Will waiver you.  Need it this week.  Please PM me if you can help, I'll call you back this evening. Attached Images
Reply:Maybe I'm ignorant. But what's the big deal? people weld wheels all the time? why is this one different?www.thefusionsolution.com
Reply:oughly convenient that that crack just happened to hit where the tire changing machine marred the inside of the rim...I'd get a new rim.welding that close to the bead could warp the rim and completely ruin it. thats why they don't want to do it. and why most legit weldors won't touch it either.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 ThorsHammerwelding that close to the bead could warp the rim and completely ruin it. thats why they don't want to do it. and why most legit weldors won't touch it either.
Reply:not sure in your area, but around here factory 16" chevy rims are a dime a dozen. Id get on C list and look for a set, It would be hard to find a wheel that will match
Reply:Originally Posted by camjeep3not sure in your area, but around here factory 16" chevy rims are a dime a dozen. Id get on C list and look for a set, It would be hard to find a wheel that will match
Reply:I've seen the whole outer edge welded back in before on aluminum rims.  I don't think your going to warp the rim from welding enough to cause a leak.  Basically, if it was mine, I'd tig it, if it wasn't mine, I'm not sure...
Reply:There are places here in Sacramento that repair far far faaaaarrrrrr worse.http://kwicksilverusa.comhttp://www.precisionwheelworks.com
Reply:There really is no reason to mar a rim like that even if its condition was solid rust. I would be rather mad with the tire shop.
Reply:Originally Posted by Fnord5There are places here in Sacramento that repair far far faaaaarrrrrr worse.http://kwicksilverusa.comhttp://www.precisionwheelworks.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Fnord5There are places here in Sacramento that repair far far faaaaarrrrrr worse.http://kwicksilverusa.comhttp://www.precisionwheelworks.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Fabn4FunDave,  I agree.  25 years ago my neighbor had a fab shop and let me TIG on his jobs.  I got pretty good with the 300A/BP on aluminum, and would not have hesitated to do it back then.Neighbor was also a TIG wizard on brass, bronze, aluminum, stainless and everything that could be used for sculpture.