Another day, another truck

[Bruce]

Got 'Da Flu

That sounds like a plan, renting the tanks/bottles. HF has news torches for 159 $, I don't know how that compares w/reconditioned?
I might get released from sick-bay tomorrow, if not I'll check Monday after work, if I'm allowed to return then?

[Ron in Indiana]

So it was still to cold for working outside today so it was back to the shop. It was 18 degrees in the shop this morning before I started the salamander heater. I got it up to 30 before I ran out of fuel. I started on the rear bed pocket by heating the inside to pry it out for better alignment of the gate latch. This worked out well. Then I found that the pocket was cracked at the bottom and top of the rivited latch. I decided to gas weld vs mig welding because it would have been impossible to grind the weld had I used the mig. Again it worked out. Somewhere in it's life it had something welded to the top bed rails. I cleaned up four spots with the grinder and filled the deep impressions by welding with the mig. The front pocket had cracked and was brazed. I heated this and blew off the brass with my air hose. I welded this crack. I also removed the fenders on both sides with my DeWalt impact driver fitted with a #3 phillips bit. This being a western truck the nuts came right off which was great. These bolts are $5 a piece from Mar K with 6 per side. I've never been in therapy but working sheet metal back into shape does it for me. I did remember to take pictures today and I'll upload them when I can.

[oldmopar]

Bodywork/sheetmetal is Not my favorite I would much rather be turning wrenches so next time you are in NJ I stop by for a free therapy session

[Ron in Indiana]

I'll do that, I've been in Joisey several times. I do have plenty of "therapy" projects here. My least favorite thing is wiring and electrical problems. I can see rust and dents. You can't "see" most problems with electrical components. Turning wrenches is fine with me but there is something about restoring this old metal that for me is satisfying. At least I have something left to work on vs you guys out east with the REAL rusty stuff.

[Bruce]

I'm W/Ron

I am terrible w/electrical stuff, used to do it all the time, easy-peasy, not so anymore! Rust & weld, paint, enjoy it a lot.

[Ron in Indiana]

I should bite the bullet and learn more about electrical issues. But I have a son who loves wiring so i pass it off to him. Everyone has something they enjoy and are good at it. It's all in what you learned and enjoy along the way. I guess I should have paid more attention in high school electrical class. Oh well, now where is my hammer and dolly?

[Ron in Indiana]

Pictures are posted

I remembered my camera and got the progress pictures uploaded to my Webshots page. Go here http://rides.webshots.com/album/578522508NTLyeZ

I switched over to .023 mig wire today and I can see already it's going to make life much easier. I tried to get a softer wire but they don't make it in.023 and the .030 is really expensive.

Enjoy the album of pictures.

[Bruce]

Hey Ron,
The welder your using, is it a red or a blue one?

[MoparFreak69]

My least favorite thing is wiring and electrical problems. I can see rust and dents.

I am the opposite on this one. Give me a wiring harness, heck even just a bundle of wires and I can get something going. Give me a hammer and a dolly and I could make a lightly tweaked panel into something unsalvagable even by the best professional lol.

[MoparFreak69]

I remembered my camera and got the progress pictures uploaded to my Webshots page. Go here http://rides.webshots.com/album/578522508NTLyeZ

I switched over to .023 mig wire today and I can see already it's going to make life much easier. I tried to get a softer wire but they don't make it in.023 and the .030 is really expensive.

Enjoy the album of pictures.

As I found out working on my buddies 56 Chevy Sedan Delivery, .023 wire is great for working on thin, rusty metal without blowing it out.

Good pics, looks like you have your work cut out for you.

[Ron in Indiana]

Hey Ron,
The welder your using, is it a red or a blue one?

I own a Hobart Handler 135 which I bought several years ago. I like it because I can take it to any part of my shop being it is 120 volt. A larger unit would be nice with more bells and whistles but I've done well so far. Hobart was purchased by Miller and they make excellent welders too. With this smaller wire I hope to hold down the heat and grinding of the welds. I welded the door latch area on my A 100 tonight. It was a delicate weld and the lighter wire did the job. I should have checked into this sooner. A good welding supply house can really make a difference for novice welders as long as you tell them what you are trying to accomplish. You can't get that at the box stores or Harbor Freight.

MF69, We could make quite the team with our strengths combined. To bad there is so much geography between us.

[oldmopar]

Well timed post I have been thinking about converting my wire welder (Lincoln weld-pak 155) to gas as I still have more welding on the 59 w200 and some rockers to replace on my 76 d100. It looks like it will cost me about $200 -250 to go to gas .

[MoparFreak69]

Well timed post I have been thinking about converting my wire welder (Lincoln weld-pak 155) to gas as I still have more welding on the 59 w200 and some rockers to replace on my 76 d100. It looks like it will cost me about $200 -250 to go to gas .

In all honesty, after you convert to gas you will wonder how you ever did without it! The only area that flux core has an advantage over gas shielded is in windy areas. Its sometimes a chore to get the gas to flow over the weld when its blown away. Often a small shield of some sort placed upwind of the work area is sufficient to solve that problem.

[Ron in Indiana]

I used the flux core in mine for one weld and said no way. Now with this .023 wire I wonder why I didn't check into it sooner. Gas shielding is the only way to go for mig welding in my opinion.

[oldmopar]

What size bottles are you guys using. I do not want to have to roll a giant cylinder around but do not want to need a refill in the middle of a repair. I am thinking 40- 60lb but have no idea how fast this stuff burns.