question about building a trailer?

[Sberry]

I fixed a collapsed tongue on a utility trailer a short time ago. The builder used a 120V mig and did a nice job, the welding was pretty good and the problem wasn't a failed weld, it was the builder missed one important piece, collapsed where the front of the trailer hit the ground and was being drug by the tongue.

[2tay530]

DSW I could not agree more! I've seen some of Dabars work and he could take a half a truck, weld casters to the back and sell it to Jay Leno as an All American hot rod!

I think Dabar needs to coment on this!

[fun4now]

its scary to think lincoln would say the weld pack 100 will weld 1/4" material. i have a MM135 and with proper prep could probably get away with a small 1/4" bracket for my lawn mower or something non-critical. but with larger pieces the over-all mas increases and eats up the heat no mater what the prep. i waited till i got a larger welder (my TA-185) to deal with thicker stuff like 1/4". for the most part my lil MM135 gets used on 1/8 and under where it belongs. i think its irresponsible of lincoln to tell any fool walking threw home depot he can grab up an 80 or 100 amp MIG and go home to weld up 1/4" steel. are they expecting common sense to control the use of this info ?? or just looking to increase sales by making the lil thing look more powerful ?
as we all know common sense has become the exception rather than the rule in most people.

i suppose it would be possible to build a trailer with one, provided it was designed and built with materials within the welders true usage . a small utility trailer could be built out of 1/8" square tube or C chanel and hold a fair load if designed right. a big concern would be the spring attachment points .i'm planing to use my 185 to stick weld my suspension parts. but i did not build the trailer just changing out the axel and suspension.

[joshua27818]

There is just one little thing I didn't walk into home depot and just buy this and decide "oh my i can weld 1/4 materal, i'll make a trailer!!!!" I did my homework then started asking. I have been around welding since I was born the only things I havn't had my hands on yet is a TIG machine or welded underwater other wise I would have done it. Also I do know about the risks of not getting enough penetration and the proper heat because this is such a small machine.

I just kinda went on a rant when I saw

"i think its irresponsible of lincoln to tell any fool walking threw home depot he can grab up an 80 or 100 amp MIG and go home to weld up 1/4" steel."

Sorry if I offended anyone in this reply

Also I do understand that there are things to take into consideration thats why I am ASKING before I build the trailer and trying to use a little common sence instead of building it then having it mess up on the road and then coming on here and asking how to fix it.

[fun4now]

joshua27818
that statement was not directed at you. it was directed at the packaging on the welder. sorry if you felt it was directed at you. far too many buy the Little welders and go out and jump into projects well over the welders ability.

[Garage guy chris]

you know to me there is a obvious solution buy some sections of steel of the planned material 2"x2"x1/8"....... and try some joints with your machine i used to have a Harbour Freight type machine and i built lots of stuff with it without a problem, until i burned the POS out on a go-kart chassis and bought a used MM210 (great machine)

this 1/4" number is somewhat arbitrary as i doubt your gonna use anything that thick on a 4"x8" trailer and if your planning too i would reconsider if it was for anything other than maybe a tounge.

Its not so much the machine its your skill in the hands of an amatuer i wouldn't trust their welds even if i set my machine up for them

[dabar39]

toolgypsy Welcome to the forum before I forget.

hankj I have to agree with you. I almost added originally that I thought debar could most likely weld almost any trailer with a 110v mig, but left it out because it might give some the idea that they could also.

I've seen weld coupons signifigantly thicker than 1/4" done by very skilled welders that passed bend tests and etchings. V groved, preheat, multi pass, but the average owner of a 110v mig can't even hope to perform at those levels. As with all rules there are exceptions, I'm glad you are one.

And definitely yes, common sense isn't so common any more.

I'm not a big fan of any one attempting to build anything structural with a 110 machine. I think there is a place for the 110 welders and it is definitely not for making trailer frames. I own a 110 machine myself(Lincoln weld pak 3200 HD) and use it only for doing light gauge sheet metal work, ornamental work and other non structural type of items. Can it be done? maybe, given the users ability and experience, but would never recommend building a trailer to anyone as a first project any ways, regardless of the machine being used.

DSW I could not agree more! I've seen some of Dabars work and he could take a half a truck, weld casters to the back and sell it to Jay Leno as an All American hot rod!

I think Dabar needs to coment on this!

Thanks for the compliments, Now I have an idea as to what I can do with an Isuzu Rodeo with rust holes in the roof panel that was just given to me yesterday.

[BamaBob]

you know to me there is a obvious solution buy some sections of steel of the planned material 2"x2"x1/8"....... and try some joints with your machine

Wisdom. Just because a machine is "capable" of something doesn't mean that you or I will get those results, especially when those capabilities are at the machine's limits of performance.

In my industy (aerospace) EVERY weld we do is performed per a weld schedule that has been developed using samples and proven for each specific joint, material(s), thickness, machine, filler, etc. If you think about it, it is the best way of minimizing risk. Even once the schedule for a weld has been developed, the completed production welds are typically dye penetrant and x-ray inspected, and must be approved by a weld inspector or rejected for any indication that might be a flaw.

I realize thats one extreme of caution; but the industry has to take that approach. So when one of us as individuals put something structural on the roads, even though we're not likely to implement that level of quality control, we should have at least a strong level of confidence that the welds we make are up to their task and will not result in harm to others. Probably the best way to get that level of confidence is to make some representative joints and then see if they are any good.

[Justin00Stang]

The problem I've run into when using a hobby level machine to build a trailer was duty cycle. On its highest setting, I could only get a good strong weld for about 30 sec, then it would taper off for the next 60 seconds. Even when bouncing around the trailer to prevent warpage and only doing a few inches at a time, I was still limited by the machine. Is was a 220v lincoln mig.

[arc]

ok ill apologize right now.

first off if ur a hobby welder and have no idea how to build a trailer DONT. we go to school and get years of training to be welders and learn how to build them correctly. if you still are going to build one find a local welder that has built them before and can give you some pointers first hand..if you dont know what weight youll be hauling or what to make it out of plain and simple dont do it. thats why im glad most registries need a serial number or dot stamp of approval to register a trailer. ive seen so many fly apart going down the high way and some have killed. do you what that over head???

these 110 "migs" are for hobby welders but they do have a purpose, and can weld 1/4 or thicker but the proper weld joint prep is very very important. most people look at the side and read that its only good for lets say 3/16. well thats one PASS not multiple passes, technique also has a huge role in what they can do.

im not saying you cant build it and make a safe trailer, but if u have to ask the question "what material should i use" or "is this welder powerful enough to weld this" you probably should not build it to go down public roads or for resale. u just dont have the experience or training u need to complete the task.

[Ls2cam]

You are in wrong forum..This is for Miller Welding Groupies Only...Go to Lincoln Welding Forum...There are nice Lincoln Forum>>>I had been there.

I think ya read the Manual wrong

Here is the Door Chart for that machine

[monte55]

This forum is for weldors.................not their equipment .....be nice

[monte55]

Put Crack Pipe Down Before You Hurt Self

Good call

[Ls2cam]

I had use to have Lincoln 135 for years..I sold it. I am interesting in Miller Welding to 252 because I have been welded nvolve for one company on big tractors and 4x4 Trucks and build WVO Diesel truck...I ll buy one 252 Milller Weld in future and then my own one.Make me more..

You are in wrong forum..This is for Miller Welding Groupies Only...Go to Lincoln Welding Forum...There are nice Lincoln Forum>>>I had been there.

[lanceman73]

110V Welder

I owner a Hobart 135 Handler for a long time and put about 100 pounds of wire through it. It was a great machine, but I wouldn't put anything on the road with it. You are responsible for it!!! When you buy a 220V welder, then we can talk.