Stuff you have made today

[brewdexta]

A pile of fire wood. The kids helped split the logs, I cut them to 18" long a few weeks ago, thats the max the splitter can take, the boiler takes up to 500mm

The kids enjoyed stacking the logs, probably should have spread them out a bit I'll sort it when I get the tarp to cover the top. They did leave a space around the back as requested.

Lots more to do, we just split the logs up to 8" diameter first as I could cut them with the little cordless Stihl chainsaw. For the biguns I'll need to get the husqie out

I'll do enough this year to create a stack across those pallets about 4 foot high and get the tarp on hhe top the rest I'll do in the spring.

 

[Richiew]

@Munkul

It failed very early after purchase, returned and fixed under warranty. The display went, wire feed slowed to a crawl and lost all power coming out of the torch. It was a sorry dribble. I assume something electronical died. This is only hobby use mind. I know of one other person on here who had a Paton fail and he replaced it with a different brand. Can't complain about the warranty service though. I heard that the later machines were revised and received a different paint job.

The weld spatter issue is something I've never resolved. It's really heavy and nasty stuff which clogs up nozzles really quick and makes a mess of my work. Tried two different gases and numerous torches. I think it is a feature of my machine. Never suffered anything like it before on a Clarke that I used to own or my Portamig that I'm still using. I made a whole thread about refining my settings, taking advice, trying to resolve it, but no joy. I don't think it's my technique or my settings. The spatter was very noticeable right from the start. If I was at fault I'd be having the same problem on the Portamig which I don't. I don't think my settings are so far out to create the problem artificially.

My latest issue is the captive nut for the spool tensioner has come loose and is jiggling around in its housing. Consequently, the mount for the wire spool needs dismantling to fix it properly but access is really poor. It really needs a picture to describe the problem, but I can't be arsed right now. It's not insurmountable, but a right pain to get at. At the moment, I just use a scriber to move the nut into position and to get the tensioner bolt to mate and pull tight without knocking it out of the way, which can take a few goes.

I'm having trouble with the tensioner right now. That might be my fault or it could be something to do with the loose captive nut issue. I wanted to fit a hobby spool of brazing wire so I had to unbolt and remove the tensioner gubbins which is just a bolt, spring, and a couple of washers but ever since I put it back it's not been right and the tension slowly increases and binds up as the wire spool turns. The Paton takes 5kg spools rather than 15kg, so you'd think they might make provision for hobby spools, but it seems not. I've ordered some needle bearing thrust washers to fit under the bolt to see if they will turn independently rather than the whole system turning the bolt.

I like a lot about the welder. I bought it for the 250amp capability and the fact that it displays volts and wire feed speeds. It also displays amps briefly at the end of the weld but you have to be quick to catch it. The Paton appears to be very efficient. Until recently I had a B curve breaker feeding the garage. The Portamig would trip the MCB on high settings but the Paton never did. I like the gas feed button which is handy for purging the lines at the end of the session, there's also a wire feed button for running new spools through without triggering the gas. I think it runs from 12 to 28 volts and there's more wire speed range than you need. There's a lot to like.

I guess there's occasionally some things we don't just don't get on with, whether it be cars, people, welders, musical instruments etc.


Edit

This a Paton weld.

Portamig weld.

 

[Dr.Al]

Today was a day when I thought to myself lots of times over "this would be so much easier with a CNC mill"...

View attachment 422312


A few bits of chatter here and there, but I'm happy with how they came out .

... and I couldn't resist a bit of late night machining to finish them off: two little (24 × 34 × 18 mm with a 4 mm brass bar through) slidey locking things:

 

[mtt.tr]

More small engine repairs

Stihl 038av super built 1988 strip down and clean.

Holds pressure and vacuum



150psi compression, bore is really really clean.



Carb strip down and clean then pressure test.



Few bits to buy, bulk of the work is complete just a few hours left. Look forward to running it again.

Then she is to be sold. I have 2 more personal saws to sort ready for the cutting season.


Another 4 customer saws just come along, haven't advertised for work just word of mouth.

 

[selectedgrub]

A serial and design number plate.

 

[God mode restorations]

Last few days I been make a 450 rpm carbide scraping sharpener out of a 120 rpm knife grinder/sharpener. A couple of little things to sort but otherwise it works...I shant bore ya with all the how to but it works...on that note am done and finished with it all here..

 

[northwest]

Fitted the drawers I got from @northwest to the van.

These will be for consumables, small parts like switches and contactors, crimping tools, etc.

I would use it for tools but I don't keep tools in the van overnight. Not worth the risk.

Shelf had to be cut down and a return added in the box pan folder.

View attachment 419581

Looks really good Brad and to be honest I am ashamed to say I have done nothing with my van except to push more stuff up front

I really do need to take a leaf from your book.

 

[Barking Mat]

Today I rebuilt a skeg.

Not my best welding, but it's solid.

 

[Kram]

I dont know what a skeg is, but its going to sink

 

[Barking Mat]

I dont know what a skeg is, but its going to sink

It's the bit which supports the bottom of the rudder, from the keel.

 

[Onoff]

I made a start Cheated a bit as this was a pre welded (at the corners) bit of old server racking. All I've done so far is weld some feet on and fit an exhaust clamp at the top:

https://flic.kr/p/2pbqbAB

 

[Seadog]

I finally got around the fixing my front gate stop, before it rusted through completely.
A piece of angled steel that ive been saving for several years came in handy.
Even my stick welding seemed to go alright (if you don't look at it ).

A couple of secondhand brass screws came in very useful, too.
The bricks were already cracked, by the way.

 

[Onoff]

Even my stick welding seemed to go alright (if you don't look at it ).

Feeling pretty good about my stick welding now...

 

[Hood]

Strengthened up some engine feet for a boat.

 

[redlig]

Today i made SWMBO happy
Nice and toasty in the house lol

View attachment 422052

I could easily be wrong but if the black tube underneath is the exhaust and the space is enclosed where does the fresh air come from prior to being heated?

 

[Barking Mat]

Strengthened up some engine feet for a boat.

View attachment 422611

Nice welding, mig ? Steel or alu ?

 

[Hood]

Nice welding, mig ? Steel or alu ?

Stick and steel with crap SIF electrodes

 

[Barking Mat]

Stick and steel with crap SIF electrodes

Nice welds, better than mine today, think my helmet is dying.

Difficult when you can't see what you're welding.

 

[MattF]

Nice welds, better than mine today, think my helmet is dying.

Difficult when you can't see what you're welding.

What's the saying about a workman who blames his tools?

 

[Barking Mat]

What's the saying about a workman who blames his tools?

Yeah, but......

Gotta blame something.