New Job: Any Suggestions

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I recently have been asked to give a price to repair a trailer for a production company. A hinge has broken off the gate of one of their grip trailers, i have not seen the trailer in person but it looks like is has some rust issues. Here are pictures of what needs to be repaired:Once i see it in person i should be able to determine if the back roll plate needs to be replaced, either way it looks like where the hinge is mounted is a little too rusted to just weld that bad boy back on and have it be reliable...Here is what i am thinking:Cut out surrounding mounting area and weld in new mounting plate (flush with existing plate, and mount the hinge to that...I could also remove the whole rusted plate and re attach both hinges to a fresh area.If anyone has any better suggestions please let me know, i have never done a repair like this but i know for a fact it is within my welding abilities, i am more concerned with getting the job and making sure the owner is as happy as possible because this could potentially be a good source for future work.Thanks guys.
Reply:That looks like a mild steel 'Bullet Hinge' covered with mostly surface rust.  To me that looks like fairly light material to be welded to that kind of hinge for 'such' a big opening.  I think you're likely better to remove the plate as you, yourself suggested and then use some Stainless Hinges in place of those.  At least this will ensure that it doesn't 'rust out again' and you continue to get a steady stream of work from a 'reliable company'.Just my .02Cheers,/Jman..Last edited by jman; 02-02-2010 at 02:17 PM.Miller Diversion 165120 amp Buzz BoxVictor Oxy/Ace Oxy/LPGSmith "Little" Oxy/LPGHypertherm Powermax 30Lot's of Misc. tools n' crap....
Reply:Thats a fairly good sized trailer. If it's similar to the unit one guy I used to work for had, they are lightly built, and have a lot of side play in them, especially if they have built shelves on the walls. My 1st thought is that this is a fatigue failure, not a rust issue, but that the rust probably did not help at all. As the trailer goes down the road and sways from side to side, that motion is transfered from the side walls to the ramp by the locks. This sway becomes a twisting up and down motion on the hinges as the ramp tries to resist the motion. After a while, the light steel can't take the strain and the weld tears out.I'll bet with the door down, if you lean lightly on the side walls you will easily be able to see the sway that can be produced.Not seeing it exactly it's tough to make suggestions. My 1st thought would be a large plate bolted to the lower portion of the door, maybe 3/16"-1/4" thick and probably 6" + high to help resist the forces involved. I don't think a U or L shaped piece will be practical without shortening the ramp. You may have to get creative notching around the hinge to accept the thicker material, and you may need more than large fender washers on the inside to secure the new hinge plate..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Found the hinges at northern tool... http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2025_200332025I am going to speak with the owner of the trailer by the end of the week to see what he wants to do... hopefully i can head home one weekend soon and get this done...
Reply:Also, what do you guys think of welding a 2x2 square tube lare U shaped brace up to fit in the back of the trailer to help prevent it from swaying and fatiguing the hinges? I would bolt the body of the trailer to the brace and bolt the brace to the floor with plates welded to the bottom of it...
Reply:I don't know where you are located at, but if in Utah, Economy Steel and Pipe/BMC Fabrication have them too (in stock).
Reply:Originally Posted by SilveradoAlso, what do you guys think of welding a 2x2 square tube lare U shaped brace up to fit in the back of the trailer to help prevent it from swaying and fatiguing the hinges? I would bolt the body of the trailer to the brace and bolt the brace to the floor with plates welded to the bottom of it...
Reply:Originally Posted by SilveradoFound the hinges at northern tool... http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...2025_200332025I am going to speak with the owner of the trailer by the end of the week to see what he wants to do... hopefully i can head home one weekend soon and get this done...