When trailers go bad OR How not to tow your Wright Brothers machine

Morgans wrote:
By the time you get done gas welding a trailer, you could weld up an airplane,
I'll bet!
--
Jim in NC


Jim,

A few months ago at EAA Copperstate, I had a chance to try my hand. My
beads were pretty lumpy, but the steel was rusty, and the wind was
blowing 10-15. I'm also left-handed which complicates teaching
experience. But I did get good penetration.

The rig I used was a hybred: hoses and regs were HF, torch was Lincoln.
Which begs the question: is an HF torch worth the $100? Or should I
keep saving my pennies? What size tanks would you recommend?

I'm looking at .120" to 1/4" mild steel for a trailer, and from
1/2"x.030" to 2 -1/2"x.095" 4130 tube for a plane or other projects. Do
you think the included tip sizes would handle that range? Can Lincoln
or Harris tips be used on an HF torch body?

Just wondering.
Harry

Morgans wrote:
By the time you get done gas welding a trailer, you could weld up an airplane,
I'll bet!
--
Jim in NC


Jim,

A few months ago at EAA Copperstate, I had a chance to try my hand. My
beads were pretty lumpy, but the steel was rusty, and the wind was
blowing 10-15. I'm also left-handed which complicates teaching
experience. But I did get good penetration.

The rig I used was a hybred: hoses and regs were HF, torch was Lincoln.
Which begs the question: is an HF torch worth the $100? Or should I
keep saving my pennies? What size tanks would you recommend?

I'm looking at .120" to 1/4" mild steel for a trailer, and from
1/2"x.030" to 2 -1/2"x.095" 4130 tube for a plane or other projects. Do
you think the included tip sizes would handle that range? Can Lincoln
or Harris tips be used on an HF torch body?

Just wondering.
Harry