Latest video: MIG welding fork lift

Ward Cheney · Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:47 am

I just watched the mig welding uphill on the broken fork lift brace. Since I'm a novice to intermediate welder, a simple question: Any thoughts about why Jody (if you are there, please explain) welded that with mig instead of, say, stick?

Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:52 am

That's an easy one. I am relocating to a different shop and the mig was the only machine available that day. All other machines had been moved out
7018 Stick would have been a good choice and probly the best choice.

Best

Jody

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AKweldshop · Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:10 pm

Hey Jody,
What mig machine were you using??

~John

Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:15 pm

A millermatic 250 that needed a new liner bad. It had been sitting unused for 2 years.

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AKweldshop · Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:19 pm

I kinda figured, seeing the blue gun.
Good thing you didn't youse a little machine!!!!
That's some thick steel.
Great vid as usual, thanks Jody.

~John

rake · Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:21 pm

Personally I'd have probably used 8018 or 11018 for that. Most likely the 11018 since I have some in the rod oven anyways.
Great tensile strength and ductility. Overkill? Maybe but I'd rather err on the side of over than under. Any filler metal that can withstand the pressures of a few hundred feet of seawater is A-OK with me.

AKweldshop · Tue Mar 18, 2014 2:25 pm

Overkill is often an underrated achievement....

~John

Ward Cheney · Wed Mar 19, 2014 12:20 pm

Thanks for the reply, and for the various suggestions about stick options.

Wed Mar 19, 2014 7:22 pm

As Jody stated, his choice of process this time was determined by what was available (What wasn't packed and in mid-move to the new shop). Sometimes, that's what the choice comes down to... What do I have that'll work?

He also agreed that stick would likely have been a better choice in this case. Again, work with what you have, within your ability. I'm quite certain if Jody had felt he couldn't do the job properly with the MIG, he'd have turned it down. After all, your weld is your signature, and you want people to trust your signature.

Steve S

Superiorwelding · Wed Mar 19, 2014 10:56 pm

Otto Nobedder wrote:....After all, your weld is your signature, and you want people to trust your signature.

Steve S

AMEN!!!
-Jonathan

gamble · Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:15 pm

Isn't 19.5v a little low for that job? Shouldn't it of been around at least 21.5-22v for something that thick and structural?
Keep in mind I mainly tig and don't mig much of anything. So just curious.

Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:34 pm

gamble wrote:Isn't 19.5v a little low for that job? Shouldn't it of been around at least 21.5-22v for something that thick and structural?
Keep in mind I mainly tig and don't mig much of anything. So just curious.

Controlling the heat affected zone is part of the equation in this weld. Additionally, with .035 wire and multiple passes, I'd think one would have more control over the edges, for complete tie-in.

Again, the key is making the most of what you have available. This weld could be done with a 100A Harbor-freight crackerbox, with the right rod.

Steve S

Braehill · Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:44 pm

The piece that Jody welded back in place does add any significant amount of structural integrity to a boom on a forklift. It's main job is to maintain the space between the two channels that the rollers run in. We have three different models of forklifts at work and I looked at all of them today and each one just has a single pass weld on that same piece.

Len