fanaticx 6 #1 Posted October 28, 2014 I bought my mowing deck for 25 bucks but it had serious rust damage. I started patching it last week. I haven't welded in probably a decade. Here's before and after pics of the first patch. What do you guys think? 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,945 #2 Posted October 28, 2014 Yeah... that's getting better. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Geno 1,928 #3 Posted October 28, 2014 With a little grinding and paint is should look just fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ben06351 19 #4 Posted October 28, 2014 Well now that should clean right up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanaticx 6 #5 Posted October 28, 2014 Still a bunch of bad spots but once I'm done I might get a couple more years of service Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 652 #6 Posted October 28, 2014 bit of trimming and some grinding it'll look awesome! Reminds me of what my 36" RD deck looked like long ago ... before: after Keep us updated 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,828 #7 Posted October 28, 2014 Bout 10 more patches and you won't even have to grind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanaticx 6 #8 Posted October 28, 2014 Yeah hopefully. Getting the wire speed and heat right really kicked my butt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KyBlue 652 #9 Posted October 29, 2014 Yeah hopefully. Getting the wire speed and heat right really kicked my butt I'm spoiled ... the Miller Autoset is just way to easy ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Molon_Labe 731 #10 Posted October 29, 2014 Peyton Manning would tell you to rub some dirt on it. Hey, it'll clean up okay with some grinding and paint, not to worry. What kind of welder are you using? I'm holding out for a Multi Plaz but till then my HF 151 mig will have to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanaticx 6 #11 Posted October 29, 2014 I have an old clarke en130. Not the greatest machine but it's what I've got Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Molon_Labe 731 #12 Posted October 29, 2014 I have an old clarke en130. Not the greatest machine but it's what I've got As long as it works that's the main thing. I grew up a farm kid and learned real quick to fix anything that broke under my watch, including welding. And believe me, there was always something that needed fixing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PaulC 341 #13 Posted October 29, 2014 what kind of grinding wheel are you using for cleaning up the welds? looks to me like your using a hard wheel and those are ok for "knocking" the welds down but when you get close to the existing surface you want to blend it in and a flap disc is the way to go!! no matter how good you are you cannot get a nice finished look with a hard wheel. if you blend nicely with a flap disc and then go over the area with a orbital sander after, once you paint you will hardly noticed your patch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,159 #14 Posted October 29, 2014 As more and more time passes our decks are getting more and more scarce and necessitates some drastic steps to keep them in use - and some other horse parts too!! This is one that was REALLY bad, but I figured I didnt have anything to lose by taking that huge chunk out of the middle of it. And, it did warp a bit but doggone if the thing doesnt cut pretty good. I had in mind to have it dedicated for use as strictly a leaf/pine straw 'picker-up' deck to use with my 'Cyclone' vacuum and it does that well. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanaticx 6 #15 Posted October 29, 2014 Mines that bad in the middle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,159 #16 Posted October 29, 2014 Whoever designed that stiffener plate on the decks must've wanted to get it to be able to retain water between the plate and shell --- and it certainly does that :eek: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanaticx 6 #17 Posted October 29, 2014 Yeah it was kind of crappy. I have a bunch of holes to fix. Not sure if I can get them all Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,515 #18 Posted October 31, 2014 (edited) I usually unbolt all and rebolt with patches of galvanized steel. Then, weld away. Stitch weld the patches in place. Years ago our tool boxes had pieces of copper flat bar in them; 3/8" to 1/2" thick x 2" wide and various lengths. The copper (or brass) won't weld to the steel, clamp behind the parts to be welded. Makes for a great weld! No burn through. Easy to plug weld holes with the copper behind your work. Unbolt all, grind if you must, prime 'n paint. Bolt all back, I use stainless hardware and Never-Seez, locking nuts or Threadlocker Blue. Saving our decks is extremely important! Here's a pic of just a bit of restoration. There was a lot more, unseen. My 1st deck restore(s) years ago, were RD rectangular. Model? I forgot. I made the decks from 316 SS bolting the cast spindles. Flatbar on the decks was heavier and tapped for new deck wheels. Of course the stainless was painted WH red but, sorry, a magnet wouldn't stick. I was a tin knocker building SS chemical storage tanks. Had all the equipment, brakes, shears, punch presses, spot welders, TIG, MIG and stick. And a paint shop. Edited October 31, 2014 by Tankman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Butch 194 #19 Posted November 6, 2014 As more and more time passes our decks are getting more and more scarce and necessitates some drastic steps to keep them in use - and some other horse parts too!! This is one that was REALLY bad, but I figured I didnt have anything to lose by taking that huge chunk out of the middle of it. And, it did warp a bit but doggone if the thing doesnt cut pretty good. I had in mind to have it dedicated for use as strictly a leaf/pine straw 'picker-up' deck to use with my 'Cyclone' vacuum and it does that well. deck 1.JPG What did it cost to buy the steel for that plate? I keep getting sticker shock when I see the price of steel around here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,159 #20 Posted November 6, 2014 I am fortunate to have 2 local scrap yards that allow us to roam freely looking for goodies and that piece came from there. I havent been in several months but at last visit steel was 30 cents a pound, so it was probably something like a couple bucks. I would imagine new cost would indeed give sticker shock! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
can whlvr 991 #21 Posted November 10, 2014 its good to see people fixing up these decks,im doing a 48 right now,unfortunatly its cheaper to buy a decent deck then rebuild,when spindles are involved,heres a pic of one I did years ago when the top of my 42 side discintegrated and dropped a spindle while mowing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites