deck patching

[bo dawg 562]

Got to play today in the garage and work on this weak corner of this 48" deck. Wasnt sure how to go about making the patch with all the angles and round overs but it worked out. I cant weld worth a crap to be pretty, but it holds and solid. I just got a 220 Harbor Freight flux core mig welder. But Im learning. I plan on get some 75/25 gas to see if I can do better maybe. Plus thin gauge metal aint my thing, I can do better with the thicker stuff. Lol

[Easton Rich 850]

Better than it was! We all have our strengths and weaknesses 

[kpinnc 16,878]

1 hour ago, bo dawg said:

But Im learning

 

I've been welding for years, and I'm still not as good as I should be. I can make two pieces of mild steel stay together, and that is about it. 

 

Anything more is what grinders with flap discs are for... 

[JoeM 9,493]

5 hours ago, bo dawg said:

Plus thin gauge metal aint my thing, I can do better with the thicker stuff

tough spot to fix with all the curves. I use 16ga you can favor it and run over on the thinner deck metal. 

came out real good

[ri702bill 11,109]

The use of the proper mix shield gas makes a huge difference. Patience is the key with thin gage materials.

[Bill D 2,561]

Looks great.  Nice job.

[squonk 45,255]

Did you  clean and check the area under that height adjuster bracket? All of the decks I've had that needed repairing had damage under that bracket. High stress area.

[peter lena 9,675]

@bo dawg   been doing this for years  , zero  , rust / rot  , you have to BREAK  THE GRUNGE CYCLE ,  with  cleaning  , lubrication and  hot sun  prop up ,   very easy to use wood blocks  under the  propped up  deck , lift carriage ,block wheels , so you can  hold the deck angle to the sun ,  leave it for hours , getting hot  and drawing in the lubrication  rot killer  . that how all my decks look , also cut at highest setting  , for  better discharge, my decks are stained black , regularly  look them over for ANYTHING  , also have them  held up against my shed inner wall , with a heavy spring and large S shaped hook , that easily attaches to  the lift frame . repetitive problems  , show you the way .  pete  

 

[bo dawg 562]

4 hours ago, squonk said:

Did you  clean and check the area under that height adjuster bracket? All of the decks I've had that needed repairing had damage under that bracket. High stress area.

 

 

No I didnt see anything but I did have to weld in some cracks in the deck at the rear where the carriage mounts are. One was thin enough that i kept blowing holes so I welded a patch on it. Thats usually where I see that kind of stress.   

[bo dawg 562]

1 hour ago, peter lena said:

@bo dawg   been doing this for years  , zero  , rust / rot  , you have to BREAK  THE GRUNGE CYCLE ,  with  cleaning  , lubrication and  hot sun  prop up ,   very easy to use wood blocks  under the  propped up  deck , lift carriage ,block wheels , so you can  hold the deck angle to the sun ,  leave it for hours , getting hot  and drawing in the lubrication  rot killer  . that how all my decks look , also cut at highest setting  , for  better discharge, my decks are stained black , regularly  look them over for ANYTHING  , also have them  held up against my shed inner wall , with a heavy spring and large S shaped hook , that easily attaches to  the lift frame . repetitive problems  , show you the way .  pete  

 

 

 

How clean does it need to be before the oil? What method used?

[8ntruck 8,556]

Looks good.  I've got a similar situation that I need to get to this year.  Won't be until May or June, though.

 

What gage flux core wire did you use?

Edited 6 hours ago by 8ntruck

[peter lena 9,675]

@bo dawg , another view , of sun placement , when you  do a thorough  cleaning , oil treatment  , and let that deck get  hot from the sun for hours  , it transforms the metal , mine are all stained black , and have lasted that way for years , with  regular  maintenance  all of my decks have also had  every related spindle bearing  , cleaned out and  re lubricated  with  hi temp / stress lucas  green hd chassis grease  , that also includes each mule drive bearing , the quiet / easy spin up  says it all  , this original set up  was a repetitive problem  ,  no issues at all  for years . pete