[bartamos]

To fix a fatigue crack in your old truck.


DA CRACK

DRILL 1/8 DIA HOLE OR SMALLER AND AT THE END OF ALL BRANCH CRACKS

GROOVE IT. I DON'T BREAK THRU IF I CAN'T GET BEHIND IT WITH COPPER.

WELD ADJACENT SPOTS. IN THIS CASE WITH BENDS AND CORNERS YOU COULD BEAD IT. I DON'T TAKE CHANCES WITH WARPAGE. SANDED SPOT ABOVE CRACK IS FOR GROUND. IF ONLY ONE JAW OF YOUR CLAMP IS ON GOOD GROUND, BE SURE IT'S THE CABLE JAW. DON'T WANT TO TRY AND GROUND THRU THE PIVOT AND SPRING.

SMOOTH IT WITH YOUR FAVORITE METHOD. 175 MIG, 25/75 GAS, 20 GA BRAND WIRE, 1956 GMC, .19 GA METAL

[xxllmm4]

Thanks for the post, I just got a welder a few weeks ago and stuff like this really helps.

Jordon

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by bartamos

IF ONLY ONE JAW OF YOUR CLAMP IS ON GOOD GROUND, BE SURE IT'S THE CABLE JAW. DON'T WANT TO TRY AND GROUND THRU THE PIVOT AND SPRING.

You know, I have never thought of that! That is a very interesting point, and well taken by this guy.

Brian

[x711]

Is the purpose of the small hole at hole end of the fracture to
stop the fracture from spreading.. If so thats a good tip.

Thanks.. ><

[bartamos]

Yes. Prevents propagation. (tried to just say yes but this forum software said my message was to short) I don't really talk like that.

[oldred]

Allowing the ground clamp to ground through the wrong side and having the current travel through the spring is by far what kills most ground clamps. When doing heavy current welding and arc cutting we learned long ago about that one because at 400-600 AMPs those springs get hot and cease being a spring in short order!

[MARTINSR]

That is probably something I was told back in high school metal shop and was thinking about that little girl in the haltertop with all her womanhood showing thru instead of retaining that valuable information.

Makes total sense, I mean I preach and preach to the young welders at work to ground near the weld and explain all about if you ground to a movable panel that the electrons have to go thru the hinge pin. Never once (at least not as long as I can remember) can I remember thinking about that ground clamp! You can bet your butt I will be adding that to my "preach list".

We are of course dealing with a lot less amps (80-135) but it certainly could make a difference in getting the proper amps to the weld.

Again, THANKS.

Brian