If I had to choose between that Mig, and that Tig..........

I would Glue it!

Back in my day the question was...... Ginger or Mary Ann?

Tell them what the axle bracket is for.

Something I just don't do very often, is say "Nice Rack" to a guy, but in this case....

I would use an alcohol soaked q-tip, to clean the inside rear of the torch. Then apply a light greasy lube to the O-ring. Personally, my first choice is DC4 (Dow Corning#4) compound. Very useful stuff to have around a shop.

Oscar,
It is a good thing that I don't live next to you. I could end up a criminal.

Be nice. :) I think BH just got a wire crossed on this one. I've done it myself multiple times. Normally I find BH to be on the ball with his posts, and an asset to this forum. Maybe he is having an off day or two. Let's just focus on trying to help the OP, and try to make a few allowances. Reliable...

I'm not sure if that qualifies as a true rant. Pointing out a disgusting truth is more like a public service.

If you heat 5052, but keep it well below the annealing temperature of 650F, it will be softer while hot, then revert to its prior condition when cooled. The rate of cooling is immaterial when hot working, or annealing. If you buy Annealed sheet and form it, it will work harden. If needed, you can re...

Back in the late 70's, while attending Aircraft Mechanic classes at Purdue, we toured the Alcoa factory in Lafayette. I still remember one of the heat treating rooms we walked into. As I recall, it was a bit bigger than a basketball court, with 2 HT units. Each unit had what looked a lot like an abo...

5052 can NOT be heat treated. It can be work hardened.
There are 2 major groups of aluminum alloys, those that can be heat treated, and those that cannot.

I'm interested in what kind of price they quote you. I am in the Tampa area till after Christmas.

Well, we finally made it to Florida. Had to do it without any ribs!
Was suppised to leave last Tuesday, but the motorhome got stuck in my yard due to mud. Finally got out on Saturday morning. What fun.

When will you two manage to get together? I'm looking foward to hearing how it goes.

Ribs? Good TEXAS ribs? I'm supposed to be taking dad to Florida soon, but maybe I can detour through Texas and do a tig demo. It would only cost an extra $700 or so for fuel. I wonder if dad would notice?

Oscar,
You need to behave yourself. You are there to criticize his welding, not his cooking. This could result in a 'triple win'. The OP gets in person help with his welding, you get a good meal, and the rest of us get to read a good story.

BugHunter, I had the same basic idea, but couldn't figure out how to put it in words, without writing a book. YOU got the idea across in just a few words. Well Done. JayWal, I don't know if it is a viable solution for the OP, but your solution would be the easiest of the various ideas to weld up. I ...

Oscar wrote:
Dang, now the pressure is on!

Now for the REAL pressure...... We want to see photos of welds done before, and after, the training.

Thick with thin, does up the challenge some. The main thing to keep in mind, is the heat is greatest where you point the torch. Aim it more directly at the thicker material. Once it gets that glassy look, then bump the torch towards the tubing for a second. Back towards the thicker material as you d...

Olecoot,

If you are smart, you will invite Oscar to your place. Ask him to check out your welding, and request a few pointers. I'll bet it results in serious improvement to your results. Even if it cost you a six pack of the good stuff.

You was at 6 months. They seem to honor the warranty till about that point. Try to find somebody that got that kind of warranty support at 10 months or more.

I expect it would cost even more than that.

And what would I get if I won? A new circuit board? Take back my welder, and give me a refurbished one? Even if the court made them pay my legal expenses, it wouldn't be worth the risk.
Bottom line.... Neverlast just isn't worth the risk.

That looks like too much stickout.

Did I expect to get Miller quality for 40% of the cost? No. Do I expect this welder to be working like new when it is 20+ years old? No, I think that would be unreasonable expectations. However, when it comes with a 5 year Warranty, I expect the company to stand behind it for 60 months, not 6. When ...

Getting this thread back on track...... outputboard.jpg I have never seen a quality electronics company leave heavy flux on a circuit board like this. Even Rosin flux will eventually lead to corrosion. I spent an hour with 99.9% IPA, and a bunch of Q-Tips, to remove the flux, embedded trash, and a b...

I can't say enough good about Weldmonger. Mistakes happen, but they are the best company I know of, for keeping the customers pain to a minimum. Even if the mistake wasn't theirs, they will go out of their way to help the customer.