ALL IN A DAYS WORK!

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Hello All!
Today I welded hooks and toothbar plates to my bucket and also finished my carry all! I bought a stick welder because I got impatient waiting on a welder to come out to the house. I've been practicing welding for a month or so and it just seems to get tougher. Anyway, first I sanded all of the paint off in the weld area. Then I clamped down the 2" X 3" X 1/4" thick angle iron and sat back and told myself "Whats the worst that could happen"?

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

So after about an hour of thinking of all the worst things that could happen being a novice welder, I decided it was time. I unhooked my tractor battery, grabbed some 7018AC rods and hoped for the best! I don't know how many rods I used but dang I'm tired. I ran two beads the full length of the angle iron on top and bottom. Then I welded the toothbar plates. Welding vertical is very tough for a novice like me. I can confidently say that these are really ugly welds but hey if they hold, who cares, right? Welding, chipping slag, brushing with a metal brush and grinding definitely took up most of the day.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

After what seemed like half a day, wait, it was half a day later, the welding was done. Although it takes much practice, I couldn't do this much if it weren't for the guidance of Brian(xlr82v2) and
Rob(3RRL), so thanks guys! I started grinding on the bucket to improve the aesthetics then I got out the Mahindra spray paint. Oh, did I mention that I'm not a painter either? After two coats I was getting tired and I still wanted to finish my carry all.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I bought the treated wood for the carry all frame a few weeks back. I already cut the boards in four foot sections. All that was left was to secure them with the galvanized carriage bolts and screw on the tie-down hooks. This was much easier than welding! Well, I finished the carry all now its time for a big glass of iced tea! I'm looking forward to tomorrow so I can test my new bucket hooks. I think I'll pick up my bush hog (1100 lbs.) for starters. Hopefully my welds will hold. If they do indeed hold, then I'll spend the last three days of my vacation picking up things for the burn pile. I hope no one minds me sharing my experience here. I learned a lot in just one day. One really important lesson I learned was to never never never forget to put your welding gloves on. Man those rods are hot!

 

[milkman]

Good job, like your Harbor Freight locking pliers. Good idea reinforcing across the top of the bucket, you won't have to be afraid to use those hooks and they WILL come in handy. You reminded me that I still need to weld my plates on my bucket for my toothbar, everytime I put it on, I promise myself that I will weld them on, good job for today.
Really neat carryall, almost as handy as a pickup.

 

[firemanpat2910]

good job but can I ask why you bolted the carry all directly to the pallet forks? What if you need to move a pallet? Say sod, bricks, concrete? seems like a lot of work to take carry all apart. Hopefully you have other means for moving pallets or the need never arises.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Hey firemanpat2910,

Thanks for the compliment! Tractor Supply Co. has two items that are close in appearance.
A pallet mover (pic 1) and a carry all frame (pic 2).
I purchased the carry all frame and added the wood. I'll use the carry all for carrying things out in the field like my generator, welder, tools etc.
As for pallet moving and the likes, I use my pallet forks! (pic 3)

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Good job, like your Harbor Freight locking pliers. Good idea reinforcing across the top of the bucket, you won't have to be afraid to use those hooks and they WILL come in handy. You reminded me that I still need to weld my plates on my bucket for my toothbar, everytime I put it on, I promise myself that I will weld them on, good job for today.
Really neat carryall, almost as handy as a pickup.

Thanks Milkman!
I went to Home Depot to get those locking pliers but all I found in that size was $22.00 a piece. I went to HF and picked up four for under $20.00. I know they're low quality but I've used them several times in the last two months practicing my welding and so far so good! While I was there, I picked up an 8' X 8' welding blanket. It sure came in handy covering up my FEL's hydraulic lines!

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I'm happy to report that my hooks stood up to at least 1000 lbs!
I didn't get to try them out on anything heavier as I spent most of the day moving dirt into my barn. I'm trying to level it before I add rock and close in the front. Tomorrow I'll test the hooks more by moving some good sized logs to the burn pile.

 

[milkman]

I don't think you'll have to worry about those hooks, that's one beefy looking tractor. Got my plates welded on today and repainted the ends of my bucket. Wish our weather looked like yours so I could get out and do something.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I don't think you'll have to worry about those hooks, that's one beefy looking tractor. Got my plates welded on today and repainted the ends of my bucket. Wish our weather looked like yours so I could get out and do something.

Hey Milkman,

Thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you got those plates welded and painted. One less thing to do now. My next project will be a receiver hitch welded on my bucket. I could've used it this morning! As for as the weather, the rain held out today. The weatherman says "near" 100% chance tomorrow and Sunday. Sounds like to me its gonna rain. LOL!

 

[westbrooklawn]

MUD -

Nice job! Welcome to the welding ranks... you will find many more uses for your welder than you can imagine. I couldn't tell from your pics if you have an auto darkening helmet, or if you were using the standard one that might have come with your welder. If you don't have an auto dark helmet, GET ONE! They make stick welding much easier.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

MUD -

Nice job! Welcome to the welding ranks... you will find many more uses for your welder than you can imagine. I couldn't tell from your pics if you have an auto darkening helmet, or if you were using the standard one that might have come with your welder. If you don't have an auto dark helmet, GET ONE! They make stick welding much easier.

Thanks westbrooklawn!
I already have several projects in mind! The helmet in the pic came with the welder. When I purchased the welder, I also purchased a Lincoln auto darkening helmet as well. I charged it under a light for an hour but it only worked for five minutes. Now, no matter how long I charge it, it just blinks for a second then nothing. I going to call the "800" number Monday to see if they'll mail me a replacement.

 

[Aquaman]

Great job Mud! Seal that carry-all real well and it will still be serving your kids someday.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

I going to call the "800" number Monday to see if they'll mail me a replacement.

I hate to say this, but have you read the directions for your auto darkening helmet. Maybe check them before you call the 800#.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

I hate to say this, but have you read the directions for your auto darkening helmet. Maybe check them before you call the 800#.

Brian,
I called myself reading the instructions. Maybe I'm missing something. What could it be?

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Great job Mud! Seal that carry-all real well and it will still be serving your kids someday.

Thanks Randy!
I'll seal the carry-all soon. Thanks for the tip!

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Brian,
I called myself reading the instructions. Maybe I'm missing something. What could it be?

Mud, you said that you charged it up with a light. My helmet is solar operated also, but requires no charging, just works from the welding arc. Was wondering if there was a switch or something else that might be there to tell the helmet what to do.

 

[MUDONTHETIRES]

Mud, you said that you charged it up with a light. My helmet is solar operated also, but requires no charging, just works from the welding arc. Was wondering if there was a switch or something else that might be there to tell the helmet what to do.

Brian,
The solar panel on this model recharges an internal lithium battery which powers the filter. If not used for a period of time, directions state to recharge the filter by putting the filter under a 60 watt light bulb for one hour. There is no on/off switch nor any adjustment dials for sensitivity or shade. I should have searched the net before "impulse buying". After searching around, I know now that $99.00 could've bought me more options. I tried charging it again and welding with it. Instead of flickering, now it has two dark streaks through the filter.

 

[3RRL]

Hey Mud,
Great job!
I really like that you just got out there and started welding like that. You also did an excellent job prepping and clamping the welding area. That really helps. Welds look good and they should be plenty strong if you got good penetration. I'm a slob when it comes to painting so to me, your paint job is super good. It looks great.

On OP welding, sometimes it helps to start a small bead and then cut off for a second to let the weld solidify a little more. Then hit it again and continue with the same method. That keeps the globs from running down. Some times you can turn the amps down a little, but that makes for a harder strike. Plus, your penetration might suffer a tad. That "on-off" method works good for me.

Nice carry all too. Projects will be flowing from your posts I'm sure, now that you know what you can do and how easy it is to weld stuff.