I hope to complete this project tomorrow while the wind speed is below 10 mph, probably still need some kind of wind break thou. At least it will be easier than a 20 - 25 mph wind we typically have this time of the year.Maybe consider taking some scrap pieces of 1/8" and 1/4" and doing some practice welds with different settings.
If I understand you correctly, you are trying to get away from any 90° corners with elongated hexagon ?Made the 1/4" plate like an elongated hexagon with rounded "corners". Have the height of the plate come out to the radius of the tongue or just shy( ~ 1/8") D-ring to plate ~140amp (I'm use to stick) Plate to tongue ~70 amps. Is the frame galvanized? You could put some rosettes in the plate too.
Getting ready to weld on the D-Rings to the tongue on the trailer. I'm far from a good welder, so I'm trying to give myself the best chance of success. Instead of welding the D-Ring directly to the tongue,
I'm thinking that welding it to some 1/4" plate first where I can be in the most comfortable position
and then welding that plate to the tongue. This way I get to put a weld on all 4 sides and spread the
load out. Sound right ?
Comments ?
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Yes, sorry forgot that important detail!I assume you are talking about MIG welding.
That sounds like would be over kill which I'm not against most of the time. But I only have so much room at the front nose of the tongue. To install something that large would have to be moved back too far.I meant for the height, you have a 2 x 6 rectangle tubing, 6" on the vertical. How much of a radius is on the corners of the tongue? 1/4"? 6"- (2x1/4") - 1/8"= plate height of 5 3/8". As far as the width, I would make it ~ 10-12" across the rounded points.
That seems to be my plan of attack. More than one person has suggested something very similar.Hotter is my thought, spread the puddle, not just a bead. Use the arc to blend the steel. When I weld heavier pieces to lighter, I start on the heavy and blend to the thin, if that makes sense to you. Good ground and prep is helpful.
That has crossed my mind, but for some reason it got pushed aside until you brought it up again. I texted someone I worked with at Advance Auto who is a full time welder, I don't know how much MIG he does. Since it vessels for the oil field, I'm guessing it might be more stick welding. It's been 30 minutes and so far I have not heard back from him.You have admitted you are not a great welder and not sure of the best method to give yourself "the best chance of success". That would be a professional welder with the fabrication knowledge in this area. No "good enough" at this stage.
I'm thinking it would be too far back from the nose of the tongue. Also I would have to bolt thru the 2" dimension of the tubing, but I guess that's what the extra plates are for.
Thanks Mountainman for getting me back on track !It is obvious by your choices throughout this thread that you are wanting this trailer to be the highest quality possible. In view of your upgrading the safety chains to the level that you have, why would you not get a professional welder to weld the D-rings on?