Lost new roller already, what type welder?

[Expidia]

Please see question at end . . .

3rd trip using my 2 new self centering rollers. Got back to where I parked and 1 was missing. Rod was still hanging there on 1 pal nut so it could have fallen off or someone could have nailed it already.

I just got back from a 3 hours drive from another lake and put in on the Hudson River near my home. I don't remember seeing one missing when I parked the boat. Too bad they are bright yellow cause that color can attract thieves easier than black ones.

Either way I said I was going to spot weld anything removable, but did not get a chance to yet.

I know there are pins or clips to hold rods on (but they can be removed too) but I think I'd rather just weld the pal nuts on.

The $36 I just spent at iboats for another roller and a package of pal nuts is convincing me real fast

So if it's gonna cost me $25-50 to have a shop spot weld the stuff on I think I'd rather just go out and buy a small welder.

** I've seen a few at Harbor Freight for around $200. Might try Sears too. For what I'm going to be welding (trailer parts) does anyone know what type of welder I need for this? I know there are different types.

Also can anyone recommend a small unit and best place to buy it?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

For light duty welding an inexpensive "stick" (arc) welder would suffice.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

Or a small wire fed welder.

 

[J JACKSON]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

get a wire welder that uses flux core wire. they are the easiest to use especially for a novice welder all you have to do is set the heat and wire feed by the chart on it and try to make it sound like bacon frying while welding

 

[TBarCYa]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

Assuming that the parts you're welding on are steel...

Flux core wire fed or stick (ARC) are your best bet if you're working outside as there is no gas shielding the weld to blow away. Flux core will be easier to learn and you can get a machine that is upgradeable to MIG (wire fed with shielding gas) for when you're working inside on something and really care about how the weld looks. If this is the only real welding project you have then Harbor Freight is a pretty good bet but if you plan to spend any time working with the machine, your best bet is to stick with one of the name brands that you will be able to use forever. Lincoln, Miller or Hobart (made by Miller) are some that come to mind.

Make sure to get a can of spray-galv or paint otherwise the welds will rust quickly.

 

[pugbro]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

Having spent many years as a welder I agree with most of the comments. However if you are going to use this as a one time thing, I think you are throwing money away just to spot a couple of nuts.....and if you don't know what you are doing you can put enough weld on that nut to sink a battle ship and it still wont hold...Welding is an art just like painting, sweating copper pipe, and the list goes on. If you still insist on buying a welder, it is a fun and useful tool to have..and remember what J Jackson said..with a mig adjust your wire feed and heat until the sound the arc makes while you are welding should sound much like frying bacon..
Good Luck

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

Spend $20 on a cheap engraver and engrave a personal code on all items. If it is obvious enough it will be left alone. Saves the hassle of welding and maybe removing the weld if you need to take off or replace at some point.
Just a thought.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

I wouldn't do any of the above. The easiest solution (and just as effective) if you don't have a welder and/or don't know how to weld is to braze the pal nuts on. If you don't have an Oxy/Acet torch, you can buy the small Oxy/Mapp setup ($50) and the brazing rods from Lowes for way cheaper than a welder and you are a lot more likely to be able to do a good job with the difference in material thickness...

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

I think it's Tie Down that sells stainless roller shafts that use a cotter pin. The pin is such a dog to bend that I doubt anyone is going to screw with it and it definitely won't pop off by accident. Or rust, either.

-E

 

[Expidia]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

I think it's Tie Down that sells stainless roller shafts that use a cotter pin. The pin is such a dog to bend that I doubt anyone is going to screw with it and it definitely won't pop off by accident. Or rust, either.

-E

In the mean time, I hit my skeg on a submerged log and it took a small chunk out of it.

So I've called a welding shop and will be bringing it in to him as soon as my boat comes back from the canvas shop later this week.

Since he will have the rig and his torch out, I'll have him spot weld the pal nuts on the two new rollers and the ends of the bracket nuts so I can still adjust the brackets if need be at the same time he does the skeg.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

Thxs for all the above replies.

I also contacted a friend of one of my kids who went to welding school.

He had similar tips as some of the above posts.

He said the cheap one's overheat quickly and shut down.

To buy a wire fed mig welder. Arc welder is OK, but the mig is better.

To only by a decent name like Miller or Lincoln with at least a 10% duty cycle time.

Use an auto darkening helmet so you can use both hands. If you use a flip down it's too easy to move off the weld again.

Buy some nozzle dip.

Thx for all of your responses.

I printed all out for future reference. You've answered the feasabilty of my questioning if I should go and buy my own welder.

It worked out that I'll have the welder do the spot welding for me on the trailer. I rent my house and the lease says no fixing cars in the back yard. So I didn't like the idea of doing the boat back there any way because the landlord didn't really want me to keep the boat there anyway. I worked my way up from a canoe over 3 boats back there, so I don't want to upset the apple cart.

He probably wouldn't appreciate me welding in his basement either.

If I buy another house, I'll definitely buy a welder and take some classes on welding in order to get some practice.

 

[Roger Sr]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

I also lost a roller.last week i put all three new 12inch rollers on my trailer. yesterday i went to the lake.it is 25 miles from home.when i got there and went to take off the tie downs.the back one was gone.the shaft was still there.one of the pal nuts had came off.the shaft was hanging there by one pal nut.so thay can just fall off. so i ordered a new roller. and drilled all my shafts and put cotter pins in them. i will never use pal nuts again. Roger

 

[Expidia]

Re: Lost new roller already, what type welder?

I also lost a roller.last week i put all three new 12inch rollers on my trailer. yesterday i went to the lake.it is 25 miles from home.when i got there and went to take off the tie downs.the back one was gone.the shaft was still there.one of the pal nuts had came off.the shaft was hanging there by one pal nut.so thay can just fall off. so i ordered a new roller. and drilled all my shafts and put cotter pins in them. i will never use pal nuts again. Roger

Yep, that's exactly what happened to me. Shaft there hanging, no roller!

I'm seeing the welder Wed anyway to fix my skeg. He'll weld those pal nuts on for me. I'd drill them, but that'd make it even easier to swipe with cotter pins.