(8 pm. – promoted by ek hornbeck)
My good friend wanted his trailer to have some metal over the sides of it to use to tie down his riding lawnmowers, his ATV, and his large pull behind mower. He has several acres to mow, at his farm and here at his house.
Yesterday we went to the hardware store and got supplies, went to his farm to pick up the trailer, and to the welding supply firm to get material. We welded a little last night, and finished it today.
Welding is almost like art. One takes a design, and makes it into a fusion of art and utility. Dad taught me how to weld.
Dad taught me how to use an arc welder. It is sort of a scary thing until you understand how it works. I love my Lincoln one, with taps from 40 amperes to 225 amperes. It is great!
Anyway, Elmer, who owns the workpiece, told me how he wanted it to be, and I welded it as he asked. We used hollow, square mild steel for the uprights, 1 by 2 inch stock. We used 1 by one inch stock for the horizontal parts.
For the thin metal, 60 amperes is just right. For joining it to the heavier angle iron on the structural part of the trailer, 75 amperes was required for it. We had a couple of heavy iron jobs to do, and 90 amperes were required for that.
We took our time, and used the square and the level to make it come out well. He had now a trailer that will hold anything, including a car, that he can drive anywhere.
I love doing that kind of art, even at his imperfect design. I suspect that he will come back for some reinforcement, but if it works the way it is, good on him! It certainly looks nice.
Warmest regards,
Doc
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new things with their hands?
Warmest regards,
Doc