Welding on top of 30 ft tower question

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What would be the proper method to weld a hasp onto a galvanized steel floor grate in a tower that is 30ft high? I’m trying to prevent copper thieves from cutting communication cables and it has been suggested to install a pad lock at the top, but it’s a little more difficult than just that.  If it wasn’t so high and I wasn’t welding above my head while dangling from a ladder , I would love to weld on a heavy duty hasp and be done with it. Anyway I'm open to suggestions.
Reply:tie yourself off and grind off the galvanizing, other than that it would be the same as any other weld in the overhead position
Reply:Thanks, well I have a little 120V MIG welder that I could haul up there with a long extension cord. I guess I’ll need to do some practice overhead welds before going up since I haven't done any overhead welds in 30 years.I've also just been thinking about making some wide plates with the hasps welded to them and using carriage bolts to bolt it on. I could have the nuts on top and peen over the threads after its installed
Reply:One thing I learned is that a lock, just keeps an honest person honest, a crook will get in to what they are going to steal no matter what.  And if you are up by Barstow or White Water, it is going to be someone that is not going to be detered, but maybe slowed by what ever is installed.
Reply:Rent a boom lift.I have about 4 good friends in the heavy equipment rental industry and can give you a contact if you need one.http://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:Originally Posted by Ron PadillaOne thing I learned is that a lock, just keeps an honest person honest, a crook will get in to what they are going to steal no matter what.  And if you are up by Barstow or White Water, it is going to be someone that is not going to be detered, but maybe slowed by what ever is installed.
Reply:Originally Posted by sleeper . . . I could have the nuts on top and peen over the threads after its installed
Reply:Speaking from experience (4 winters ofsnowmaking equipment and lighting repairs at a ski resort), climbing a tower with a harness, a tool bag, and some #4 lead is FAR quicker, more practical, and more cost effective than getting a boom truck (especially if you have to rent it) and going up towers with a MIG welder in the basket.  When you get up in the air, there's almost ALWAYS wind, and shielding gas will just blow away.  MIG just isn't practical for field repairs, ESPECIALLY up in the air.  I've done some stainless TIG repairs on snowguns at the tops of towers before too, and didn't have to think twice about ditching the HF box and foot pedal, and just going scratch-start with a very small pony bottle of argon.
Reply:wouldn't it be easier to hire a welder who is already equipped to handle this? A high reach is the way to go but 30 ft isn't that high. welding a hasp is not the answer, it can be ripped off with a sleever bar. Unless you just need the lock to prove to the Insurance company that you are taking steps to prevent theft, I would find a different route to stop the thieves completely.
Reply:Originally Posted by anickodeWhen you get up in the air, there's almost ALWAYS wind, and shielding gas will just blow away.  MIG just isn't practical for field repairs, ESPECIALLY up in the air.  I've done some stainless TIG repairs on snowguns at the tops of towers before too, and didn't have to think twice about ditching the HF box and foot pedal, and just going scratch-start with a very small pony bottle of argon.
Reply:Originally Posted by anickodeSpeaking from experience (4 winters ofsnowmaking equipment and lighting repairs at a ski resort), climbing a tower with a harness, a tool bag, and some #4 lead is FAR quicker, more practical, and more cost effective than getting a boom truck (especially if you have to rent it) and going up towers with a MIG welder in the basket.  When you get up in the air, there's almost ALWAYS wind, and shielding gas will just blow away.  MIG just isn't practical for field repairs, ESPECIALLY up in the air.  I've done some stainless TIG repairs on snowguns at the tops of towers before too, and didn't have to think twice about ditching the HF box and foot pedal, and just going scratch-start with a very small pony bottle of argon.
Reply:Originally Posted by ZTFabThat may be true for an experienced person and when working on the slopes of ski lifts.It would be FAR safer with the equipment the OP has available (which could/should be switched to FCAW for this job) to rent a boom lift (not a boom truck), throw a generator and the welder on the deck and work from a comfortable platform.
Reply:Can you use a small cable choker and a super duty master lock.   Have you ever tried cuttng a cable with bolt cutters.  Maybe not as friendley to open as a hasp but it will require more work to get past the lock.Dan
Reply:Originally Posted by DanD78Can you use a small cable choker and a super duty master lock.   Have you ever tried cuttng a cable with bolt cutters.  Maybe not as friendley to open as a hasp but it will require more work to get past the lock.Dan