Isn't tecnoligy wonderful
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Isn't tecnoligy wonderful
Good job on the phone tech discovery!!
I'm no pro welder but it looks to me like you need to kick your heat up a notch or two. Your weld material is squatting on top of the metal with almost no heat signature to either side. I'd be interested in what the experienced guys, like maybe MP&C say? Perhaps I'm all wet, and your welds are PRIMO!
Primo they ain't. They do have penetration though. I ground it down, and fixed four pinholes, and finished with a 80 grit flap disc, looks good. Also, I've been meaning to hype this old can of clear enamel I'm using to coat the patches. The brand name is fixall, and it covers well and dries quick. There is some German spray paint at work which comes with the new machines for touch up which is also awesome. It is Frei Lack. (Translates to free paint - wierd)
Any tips are welcome. I ran the welder on power #2 for these welds. Setting #3 works a bit better for joining two stainless patches, but I'm hesitant to try it on the old steel.
The stainless patches are 18ga but I think the body is 20ga.
The patches are being butted without gaps, that may be part of the issue. I'll try to remember to leave a small gap, about a sixteenth.
I tried a test weld on some scraps pieces today. #4 is too high, melts out. #3 did fine, I put a gap about the width of the metal, just under a sixteenth. The gap is the key.
I started templating patches for driver side front quarter. It is much worse than the passenger side was. Fortunately I kept some key templates from the other side.
I've decided to pursue making dies for the log splitter. I started by making a contour profile gage. Next I'm taking some quarter inch plate and slicing it to profile with the plasma cutter, and using the grinder to get final shape.
I set the cutter to max power and air, and it cuts easy and quick but leaves a pile of slag on the parts.also, the curfew is a bit too much, I can't use the cut out for the other die half. That will have to be made separately.
I'll stack the die pieces and weld them together to form a single die. I'd like to get one about six inches width, since this profile will be used to shape the running boards, about 40" long.
But it seems to me, the gentleman with the Lennox only makes his about 2" wide, which is a much more reasonable goal given the effort necessary to shape the dies.
Once the dies are done, I'll have to figure out die holders which will mount to the log splitter, and allow me to change dies for various profiles.
Also on the agenda, to use the scrap metal I've scrounged from the dumpster at work, and convert one side of my weld table to a metal break. I'll need some of the 20mm cutter shaft and bearings which I'll scrounge tomorrow.
Somedays, baby steps are all we can do. Dumpster diving at work netted several lengths of 20mm shaft for the brake hinge and a custom dolly, maybe guide shaft for the hydraulic press dies. Eight pillow block bearings for the metal brake.
After work, I attended an emergency house committee meeting for post operations (VFW), lent my prowess with a chainsaw to the sheriff's department clearing a tree from the highway (I cut they cleared) and then fixed an electric pellet smoker for my very dear friend Jill. The auger was locked up because the pellets weren't run out: humidity down South, don't ya know. The second time for it, now maybe she'll listen and run out the darn pellets.
Baby steps.
Have I mentioned how nice it is to have a build log?
The last couple days i got busy making the dies for the log splitter. The first couple were finished with grinder, and I could see that was not going to give a favorable result. For the third and fourth I finished out with a half round bastard file. Way better. Takes longer. Time spent now will be repaid in spades later. Or something like that.
http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/...505_205231.jpg
That's the press die pieces.
I'm looking forward to your report on the first use of the log splitter as a press! I'm thinking that when you constrain the ram your force is going to ramp up very quickly with only two options - 1) keep going or 2) reverse direction to relieve the force. Be safe.
Thanks spears, I expect to nibble down the length. I am deeply concerned that I will get severe warpage. Perhaps it would be prudent to get the sheet metal brake fabricobbled first, and pre - bend the profile , then use the dies to finish the shape?
This weekend my spare time generated greenbacks rather than progress. I lifted the box off a delivery truck, then changed all the mounting tabs to fit another. The lifting was sketchy, nearly dropped if off at the end. Got over confident, but all's well that ends well. Hopefully back on the Plymouth this weekend.
I'm back to working on the Plymouth. It finally cooled down, and I stepped away from my efforts at the post so I actually have some time now.
I realized that my female die isn't right. I was so focused on making the inner piece profile that I forgot to allow for it to be also used for the outer profile. Anyway, the fix involved removing pieces from the Male die sections, and welding them into the female die. So that is accomplished, just needs the welds ground smooth.
The Male die sections are ready to be final - ground and welded together, and ground smooth.
The next step of the journey will involve fabricobbling the sheet metal brake. First I'll weld a frame for my table top, which has warped from perching upon the old cabinet, which is warped from the weight of a 1/4" steel plate. The far side will be a meaty chunk of I beam to accommodate the bending assembly. Which - must be yet envisioned exactly. I'll figure it out.