Re: FCAW VU VD TACK TACK TACK

On 6/18/2025 4:34 PM, Jim Wilkins wrote:

"Bob La Londe"  wrote in message news:102vglm$3e85e$1@dont-email.me...
 I just went after it, and I discovered even at higher powers TAC TAC
still works with difficult welds.
 --------------------------------
 I just made a trailer hitch for my tractor from 1/4" x 2" angle. Since the hitch ball bolts onto the weld between the two angled sides I had a pro do it for better penetration and $10. He did a gorgeous job that I admired for two minutes, then milled flat.
 

You know why I started learning how to do more different kinds of welds?   I hired a pro twice to do a job, and both times they did it wrong. That's wasn't the main reason though.  I need to get jobs done.  I dropped a job off at a reputable local shop, and asked how long.  He said, "We are pretty busy, but you can come get it in two weeks."
I came by in about 15-16 days and the project was exactly where I had unhitched it with a layer of dirt on it untouched.
"Oh, I see you didn't get to it.  How long.  "
"Two weeks."
"Oh, I see you didn't get to it.  Its been almost five weeks now."
"Well this agency more important than you, and that business more important than you..."
"Okay.  How long until you will get to it."
"Two weeks."
After four months I showed up one day and I could see tracks in the layer of dirt all over my project.
One part was done wrong. and one part wasn't done at all.  I accepted the excuse for the part that was done wrong, and then watched as he did the part that wasn't done, right now in front of me in about two minutes... wrong.  I had to cut the weld completely out when I picked up a welder that would do the job, and do it the way I had originally said.
I suck at welding, and I do not enjoy it, but if I don't do it myself it won't get done.  If it does eventually get done in a "pro" shop it will be beautiful and wrong.
You know why I installed the gooseneck/5th wheel hitch in my truck myself?  It wasn't because I wasn't willing to pay somebody.  I got bullshitted and jerked around by one shop who as soon as I said, "okay" started backpedaling on their price.  I didn't negotiate.  When they gave me a price I said "okay."  Another shop wanted me to leave a cash deposit and wait for months, and then started telling me some story about needing to take the bed off the truck to the install the hitch.  I had already read the instructions and watched a couple install videos. It also isn't the first in bed frame mounted hitch I have installed.  I knew he was just trying me on to see how hard he could fuck me.
I needed it done, so I did it myself.
So maybe you have a welder near you who will do a small job and not jerk you around and waste your time.  I probably do to, but I don't know who it is, and I am tired of looking.
--
Bob La Londe
CNC Molds N Stuff
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