The Pipepro 304 problem found!!!!!!

[Kelly Aitken]

Union or nonunion. Shouldn't make any difference. It's just flat out wrong to vandalize someones stuff. I know it's not politically correct but sometimes a good solid *** stomping is the only thing some people understand. Not to mention the personal satisfaction because you know you will never see any monetary compensation from the scum bag.

Kelly

[Blown S-10]

This last week while I was at one of my largest accounts, a local steel mill, I was approached by one of the steel workers who wishes to remain nameless. This individual told me that as I am welding, usually 50 to 100 feet from my machine in a confined space, other employees of the steel mill would turn the dials rapidly on my machine while I am welding. The main dial turned was the mode selector switch...the one that selects between mig, stick etc. This person would also turn any other dial handy at the time....all of this done while the machine was under load. Also my fuel tank had an "additive" put in which now explains why the head gasket is blown.

I honestly don't know how to apologize. I never thought that as a union welder working in a union shop with fellow AFLCIO union brothers that my equipment would be vandalized.

My machine is insured for this and the insurance people with be out to inspect the machine later. The truth now being told I would say that the Pipepro has held up well under the circumstances.

To Lee Lemke and the entire Pipepro division, Miller Electric, and Mississippi Welders Supply in Hudson,WI I apologize. The problem isn't Millers fault, MWS's fault or my fauld...it is the fault of one or more individuals at the steel mill who don't like me welding there.

Go Blue!

looks like you have to put up with the same kind of A$$holes at work that i do.

the other day. i was on a latter, working under the hood of a car that was on a rack up in the air. some FOOL thought it was funny to spray grease on the bottom of my shoes. it was all i could do, to NOT knock EVERY tooth out of his face. a task i am VERY capable of doing.

no matter where you go, or what you do. there WILL be some fool that thinks its funny to hurt someone.

good luck man, glad you found it. now get that guy fired.

[storts]

Wow!!!

This last week while I was at one of my largest accounts, a local steel mill, I was approached by one of the steel workers who wishes to remain nameless. This individual told me that as I am welding, usually 50 to 100 feet from my machine in a confined space, other employees of the steel mill would turn the dials rapidly on my machine while I am welding. The main dial turned was the mode selector switch...the one that selects between mig, stick etc. This person would also turn any other dial handy at the time....all of this done while the machine was under load. Also my fuel tank had an "additive" put in which now explains why the head gasket is blown.

I honestly don't know how to apologize. I never thought that as a union welder working in a union shop with fellow AFLCIO union brothers that my equipment would be vandalized.

My machine is insured for this and the insurance people with be out to inspect the machine later. The truth now being told I would say that the Pipepro has held up well under the circumstances.

To Lee Lemke and the entire Pipepro division, Miller Electric, and Mississippi Welders Supply in Hudson,WI I apologize. The problem isn't Millers fault, MWS's fault or my fauld...it is the fault of one or more individuals at the steel mill who don't like me welding there.

Go Blue!

All I can say is holy_&%^_&%&_&%&^_&^%One of my biggest accounts is all union,and im not, But the guys up there are all top notch, I was even hired to teach every one of the machinest how to weld, I also supplyed all the wf beam for when they build a garage, or addition etc.(They paid me in cash from what i paid from my supplyer,NO markup and it was del. to there house for free) Well one day on of my buddys tipped me off that there was 1 of the stewards that had a boner for me, He was my buddy when i went to my shop on a sunday and heli-arced his boat for 4 hrs, I was not taking any work away from the union welders, it was they were so back logged, and my co has been doing work for this co for 60 years,Well back to my story,My Buddy put a big pc of grey duct tape over my gas cap, and signed his name, I guess this steward had done this to other outsiders,Thats what friends are for,Goes to show you you never know,Glad to hear your back in buisness!!!JackPS. , this is bothering the sh896089687-97-&^&)*^&^ot out of me, will the great fellow that tipped you off sign a statement,? If you really want, i just called a couple of my Cop buddys, and said that once a ins. Co. gets involved, which they are, thats ins frauld, which in ct. is a class (whatever the total amount of $ comes to ) felony,,But I understand you have to work there also,instead of hiring a kid with a baseball bat,I like that, But the law protects scum like him, is there a way to made a cover that could be mounted with a piano hinge to cover all your controls while your welding,? Just a tought, at least this way he would have to make noise and cause so comation, while trying to unlock your coverWelders and steel mills are load, but it would cause some one to see thats hes trying to screw with your machine,,Locks only keep the honest people honest, but deters the time they can get in, Hope this helps, Jack

[VBI]

Weldingwagon,

I am thankful you finally have some resolve to your long drawn out saga and that Miller was not at fault. It is difficult enough to be in business for yourself and keep food on the table let alone have to deal with destructive, sabotage minded mental cases.

I hope you receive what is due you insurance wise and can find a way to hold the troublemakers responsible. Good luck in the future.

[TheRealSpinner]

BTW its mighty big of you to come back and let everyone know what really happened. I know its tough eating crow, not that it matters but I think more highly of you now.

I second the motion

[leon phelps]

Finally Good News....

Good to hear that you found the scumbag that was responsible.

I dont want to churn anything up about the whole process that went one here.

Glad to see the problem was solved and that you are happy.

I would definitely push the legal issue. Could cause catastrophic failure and serious injury. If after people do not want to back you, not worth working there. It is obvious the informant knows what was done is wrong. Tell the authorities who he is and get another job. The risk of losing life let alone your wasted time is worth calling the cops in. After you call them in be smart and move on. There is plenty of work for you out there.

Good luck with this mess. I would send someone to jail if they stole $9K off of me.

[ShieldArc]

Im waiting for the end of the story from weldingwagon...

[taz]

I'm sorry you have had this happen. There are too many jerks around. Good luck in the future.

[ShieldArc]

I wonder still what happend????? oooh, by the way,,, i was courious about the mode switch that was being turned back and forth while you were welding so i tried it to my Ranger 305G while my son was stick welding,,, as i suspected,,,, nothing happened to my machine.............

[arcwelder]

Welding wagon that is great news!! Although the sabotage is terrible at least you know the source of your difficulties. I also own a Pipe Pro and you were gettin me a little nervous and thinking about selling it. As I've stated before mine has 1,879 hrs and its been trouble free. I hope you can find the culprits.

[Laiky]

I don't know how much money its worth to you, but i would catch the a-hole on tape. You can get a small cam corder for around 300 bucks from any electronics store. A better solution would be if you had a laptop or old pc. hide the laptop under your truck seat nd get an inexpensive digital video or web cam. Use the laptop as the recorder and hide the cam in the equipment. No need to put an "informant" in jeopardy. Then take your laptop to the police and show them who the POS is. Since your TB gives 110 (i assume?) you can leave it running all day or use an inverter and cig lighter. Once you feel a hickup while welding go check it out!!

[Stick rod]

Weldingwagon,
Thats excellent that you found the trouble.I work in a union shop and our guy`s would do no such thing.I like the others hope you catch the little coward who dosn`t have the ba_ _ s to confront you face to face.Good luck with this as it goes forward.

[fyoung]

You'll have to give his name

This last week while I was at one of my largest accounts, a local steel mill, I was approached by one of the steel workers who wishes to remain nameless.

Go Blue!

Hi, Glad to hear you got things figured out. You'll have to give the name of the man that told you this to your insurance company for them to pay off..then they will press charges against him or maybe you will have to and you'll probably end up in court along with the man that told you and probably several more from the site where you were working. Then you're going to have to prove that's what messed your welder up.

Hope it all works out.
Farris

[Portable Welder]

I own the Pipe pro also and am glad to hear that it was not the machine.
Unfortunately there was was a bone head messing with your machine, take some good advise and turn the guy in to the company and the police. Beating the guy up will only increse your problems.

[Rocky D]

All this happened almost a year ago, so I guess he's settled it by now.