Project 2 Winter Contest Dolly wheel not worth fixing but coworker to lazy

So at work we have a dolly for moving HVAC equipment. One of the wheels was broken. The wheels are maybe $6 at harbor freight but my co worker is too lazy to run to harbor freight and buy a new one. One day it was slow and we had to move some equipment and I was fed up with him using my dolly all the time so I pulled the wheel off. I had nothing to do and hadn't picked up my tig torch in months and figured it'd be good practice and if I screwed it up it's only a $6 wheel.

The material wasn't very magnetic, but definitely was not stainless, some kind of pot metal so I just took a stab at it with carbon steel filler material.

Used 3/32" 2% thoriated tungsten with 3/32" ER70S-2.
I initially tacked it together and then used pulse and walked the cup around while dipping at a fairly quick pace. Was trying to limit heat input so I didn't cook the bearings. Turned out great. Wheel is fixed and the owner of the company was impressed, now he's got me welding on stainless hoods....


http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...030_185429.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...030_185435.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...030_190724.jpg

Better than I could have done. The fix itself probably wasn't worth the time or consumables, but if it got you better welding jobs at work then it was most definitely worth the time to do it.

To be completely honest, I would weld on just about anything whether it's worth repairing or not just to get more seat time. I love welding. I need to get better. Sometimes on the weekend I sit and think of things I could make, even If I don't need to make anything. I don't want to waste material but if it's productive you can guarantee I'm unplugging the dryer and firing up my 225LX.

I used to do the same thing at the HVAC shop I worked at. As you mentioned, things get slow and you do anything to keep busy! Pretty soon the owner is bringing in his broken junk since you showed him you can weld! I feel the same way about practicing and getting better. Always room for improvement! With gasoline and labor included (to drive to HF for a replacement wheel), your repair might actually have saved the company a buck or 2 after all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sw2x

To be completely honest, I would weld on just about anything whether it's worth repairing or not just to get more seat time. I love welding. I need to get better. Sometimes on the weekend I sit and think of things I could make, even If I don't need to make anything. I don't want to waste material but if it's productive you can guarantee I'm unplugging the dryer and firing up my 225LX.

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I couldn't have said any better. I'm exactly the same way! LOL

Hey SW2X
Why don’t you hook up a parallel outlet for you welder from the dryer outlet wiring. That way you can use the welder as long as the dryer is not in use that saves having to swap thinks around.

Nah, that would be entirely too logical.

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