Finally Building my Backhoe

Iplayfarmer · Mar 12, 2010

ETpilot said:
What welding rod are you using for this project. I followed your original thread on the planning and I will be following this build. It is slowly coming together.

I have saved a bunch of links for tools, parts and material suppliers. That is a plus for me.

I'm using 1/8" 6011 rod. I'm running it on DC+ at about 90 amps.

Per the PM request of a few other members, I'm attaching a .zip file with two partial sketches of the backhoe plan. I've redrawn various parts of the backhoe multiple times as acquired materials or got new ideas about the plan. As a result I don't have any single sketch that covers the whole plan. These two that are attached will give a good idea, though.

mwb · Mar 12, 2010

Iplayfarmer said:
I'm using 1/8" 6011 rod. I'm running it on DC+ at about 90 amps.

Per the PM request of a few other members, I'm attaching a .zip file with two partial sketches of the backhoe plan. I've redrawn various parts of the backhoe multiple times as acquired materials or got new ideas about the plan. As a result I don't have any single sketch that covers the whole plan. These two that are attached will give a good idea, though.

Seems to me that you should be welding at 125 amps? This will give you much better penetration and get that bead to lay down more (less grinding). Also, you might try running them on AC (it believe they are intended for AC or DC reverse polarity). You must be experiencing a lot of stuck rods?

I tried to open your zip but it gives an error.

Iplayfarmer · Mar 12, 2010

mwb said:
I tried to open your zip but it gives an error.

It sure does. I tried opening it up here at work and got an error. It was my first attempt at creating a .zip file. Apparently I have more to learn. I'll have to try it again when I get home where the files are, and I'll post back when I've fixed the file.

P.S. Thanks for the advice on the welding.

Iplayfarmer · Mar 12, 2010

Try this file...

If it doesn't work I'll be seeking technical advice on how to use Winzip 14

ETpilot · Mar 12, 2010

Better seek help as it did not work for me. Got an error window.

BTW, I was welding today and tried 6011 at 90 amps. Seemed a bit too cool for me. I went back to my normal 105 and it is much better for me. Will try the 125 suggested next and see what I get.

DavidVT · Mar 12, 2010

Was able to open the zip files and use Google Sketch up to view the files.
Nice work.
I've not been able to generate that much detail using Sketch up. I need to learn how to do it.
Bravo!

Iplayfarmer · Mar 12, 2010

ETpilot said:
Better seek help as it did not work for me. Got an error window.

BTW, I was welding today and tried 6011 at 90 amps. Seemed a bit too cool for me. I went back to my normal 105 and it is much better for me. Will try the 125 suggested next and see what I get.

I'm no welding guru, so someone else's advice is likely better. The little chart on the side of my welder said to use 85 amps for 1/8" rod. That's all I had to go on.

DavidVT said:
Was able to open the zip files and use Google Sketch up to view the files.
Nice work.
I've not been able to generate that much detail using Sketch up. I need to learn how to do it.
Bravo!

What program do you have to open zip files? I wonder if that's part of the problem why some are getting errors and some are not.

As for detail in sketchup, I've found it very handy to make groups and then open the group to edit it. I.e. if I want a square tube, I'll make a square and then make that square into a group. I'll open the group, and then pull the square into a tube. For me sketchup has been a super useful tool. There are a lot of design flaws that I discovered in sketchup that I never would have found with my previous pencil and paper sketching methods. 3D is very nice to have.

easygo · Mar 13, 2010

Iplayfarmer,
I would say 90 Amp for the 1/8 6011 is a bit on the cool side but it is within the recommended range. Range being 75-120 or so for that rod. It depends what is the thickness of the material you are welding. Since you are using 1/4 tubing I would say you could crank that puppy up to about 100-110 Amps. You will get better penetration and smoother welds (possibly).

You might want to give E7018 rods a try. They weld very smooth and the end result is stronger if used properly.

www.hobartwelders.com/products/electrodes-wire/electrode-chart

Brad_Blazer · Mar 15, 2010

I've never been able to make zip files work right here. The most reliable method I've found is to change the file extension to .txt with instructions to change it back to what it was.

The box of welding rods should have the amperage range printed on it. I like the hot end of the scale.

Iplayfarmer · Mar 16, 2010

Brad_Blazer said:
I've never been able to make zip files work right here. The most reliable method I've found is to change the file extension to .txt with instructions to change it back to what it was.

Tried it. My files are bigger than the 200 KB allowed. I'm going to try it with a .pdf extension. If I crash TBN and cause an end to the free world as we know it, I'm sorry. Mods please let me off with just a warning.

Right click the file and click "Save target as..." Save the files to somewhere on your computer. Change the file name from .pdf to .skp. Good luck everyone. I hope it works.

Alternatively, I think the problem may be that the files require a winzip program that is not on the computers that can't open the files. I made the files in WinZip 14. I think there are free unzip programs that will open the files. If anyone knows of a good free unzipper program please post it.

Moderators: Is there a chance that we could change the forum to allow attaching .skp files??? With as many of us using sketchup, I'm sure it would be used regularly.