Fire tools

[LBZ]

Who has a good shop & a plasma cutter?

Need to cut some holes in my deck to make the wheels straps work. Too many cars out there that do not like chains.

Talked to the owner of this trailer the other day & he said they just made a small template & started cutting. Said there has to be at least 4 to preferably 5 inched between the larger holes.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/7720/millertemplate.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/millertemplate.jpg/)

Called these guys the other day...
http://tandcwelding.com/index.htm

& dialed the wrong number trying to call these guys today,
http://www.trailermasters.net/index.html
but would rather find someone closer to IL.

[haulin rv]

My self I'd just invest the cost of someone else doing it into a plasma cutter and do it myself. If you never used a plasma cutter its one of the simplest tools to use. And being in this industry with our trucks and trailers I am sure you could use it again.

[shstransport]

I've rented small miller plasma cutters from welding supply companies was only $125-$175 a day they gave you the consumables you just supply air and electric.Rent on the weekend give back Monday.

[LBZ]

Yeah, I never even thought about renting one 'til I read Haulin RV's comment. I was in Chicago & there were some pretty decent runs available, but there is no way I am going to chain down brand new cars that were not meant to be, even the ones that are kinda sorta not meant to be. Maybe I am naive, but just not worth the risk.

I stopped by Sunbelt Rentals in Channahon & they had one that ran off of 110, we tried it out, but was very slow. Their bigger one ran on 220, but I don't have that at the house where I can get the trailer close to...

However, got to calling around & an old customer from my previous job has one. Hopefully I can rent his & use his shop, suppose to be raining off & on this weekend... so if I am a bit lit up by Monday, you'll know I wasn't in the shop! ;)

[shstransport]

Not sure what size holes you need but a hole saw makes short work of it oval holes can be made with a smaller hole saw and sawzall between the holes.Plasma is really nice but 1/4 inch and under you don't need one.

[cosgo]

Drilling holes every 6" on both sides of a trailer, upper and lower deck, 53' long would take a week!! (over 200 holes) Go with the plasma, and make a template that you can just slide around - itll make it much easier and more precise. If you rent one, come over, I'll let you use a bay in my shop. Im wired for 220 also.

[LBZ]

Inch & a quarter to a inch & a half. Was kind of thinking of using a piece of 1 inch pipe to trace around so they all match. Anyway, it is the larger holes that a 2 x 2 in the deck on the trailer above.

[LBZ]

Drilling holes every 6" on both sides of a trailer, upper and lower deck, 53' long would take a week!! (over 200 holes) Go with the plasma, and make a template that you can just slide around - itll make it much easier and more precise. If you rent one, come over, I'll let you use a bay in my shop. Im wired for 220 also.

Thanks for that & wish I was closer. Already passed on the rental store, but the guys in that one all seemed pretty cool if anyone ever needs anything.

Did ask with Sunbelt that if I rented the cutter in Channahon if I could return it to the Springfield store where I live... They said sure, however there will be a $60 p/u fee. That was the only un-cool part.

[haulin rv]

Well I've got 220 too but not sure what the neighbors would think about a big truck parked across the yard.

[LBZ]

Knew I should have rented ANY damn plasma cutter I could have got my hands on yesterday. Can't find the previous customer that has one. The Sunbelt Rental spot in Springfield does not stock them. WTH was I thinking???

[haulin rv]

Farm and Fleet sells them:D. Or do I see a dead head back north and a long day at Cosgo's?

[LBZ]

Fire rocks!:cool:

Finally got things going today, never have used one before.
This one is way overkill, but working good now. Lot of holes cut, they don't look all that pretty, but am going to cover the deck with anti skid stuff later this year so should all work out.

That power meter in the shop that I am in had to have been spinning at a pretty good clip this afternoon. ;)

[haulin rv]

And where are the pics of the sparks a flying?

[LBZ]

No photographic proof, they left after I got to going...may have been a bit worried. ;)

I was blacker than the trailer though after the day. First time always takes longer than expected, but thinking if someone had a pattern set up for a wedge deck that you could crank out two a day in terms of cutting deck holes for wheel lashings if ya were to push it.

Have two hours left, couldn't find the guy who owns the shop so could not get in there until tomorrow. He has irons in alot of fires & that is his truck I posted up in the for sale section.

[haulin rv]

Haven't cut the trailer in half yet have you?

[LBZ]

Haven't cut the trailer in half yet have you?

Yep, got two trailers now! :D

Finished cutting holes this morning, but going to have to drill the diamond tread over the wheels. Wasn't brave enough to start hacking near air lines, air bags & 8 tires. I slid some sheet metal in there & chickened out at the last minute.

Got one air line Sunday night from 10' away, which was the only casualty. Better than a hydraulic line, ya know it would have been the main feed line that is 30' long...

[LBZ]

More Fire Tools: :D

Was going through Craigslist & found a link to Miller Welders. Check the video on the lower left w/Stacey David comparing different models. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_252/

These things have changed a lot over the years. Too poor to own one though.