Fixing hole in side of block

North Idaho Wolfman

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I don't say this very often, but this is simply DUMB, no matter who would have done it!!
BAD MOVE!
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joesmith123

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front frame solid, fix your busted weld

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glue thread for bottom nut

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frame bolted solid

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stand on frame, solid

busted fel plan: prop it tight, hold it with big clamp, drill out big hole, put you a big bolt

20250217_002137.jpg


prop busted fel valve with square tubing and big clamp, drill your hole with pilot then big drill

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drill bit too worn, smother it all with diesel periodically, drill through with your busted bit

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keep drilling keep soaking diesel

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put your bolt through

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smother in glue, put nut onto bolt

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keep tightening, fail

your bolt broke the entire weld

come you up with different plan
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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I should clarify why welding the bolts was such a bad idea.

When they break or loosen you'll play all heck to get them out.
The lock washers that were spring hardened are now soft, so they are no longer working.
The welds have done nothing except soften the bolts or fatigue them, and the welds will not hold.
You don't do anything to a fastening member that you can't easily undo.

What you could have done was make a thin metal plate with tabs that could have been bent to the bolts to lock them in place, then when they needed removed you simply bend the locking tabs and unscrew the bolts.

Joe, your completely working against yourself to keep the tractor together and running.
You send all your time repairing repairs, because your not making effective and lasting repairs.

I was dead serious that you have spent more time and money doing bad repairs.
If you would do proper repairs you would be so much farther ahead!

I have the utmost respect for anyone thats trying to fix and maintain on a budget, but listen to good advice!
 
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Hugo Habicht

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I have the utmost respect for anyone thats trying to fix and maintain on a budget, but listen to good advice!
Problem is that Joe is 100% advice resistant. I gave up trying to give him advice. Waste of time. Let him do whatever he wants to do. The only sad thing is the Kubota tractor being messed up, but that is beyond repair at this stage anyway.
 
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McMXi

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I should clarify why welding the bolts was such a bad idea.

I just can't continue to look at the "welds" that are being shown in this thread. I would go as far as to say that this thread repeatedly shows the worst "welds" I've ever seen. I worked for a decade as a certified/coded welder and have continued to weld regularly over a few decades since, and frankly this is just painful to watch.

In my welding career I've encountered everything from exceptional to excruciating and it's very easy to make snide remarks about someone else's work, but you don't always know the conditions that they were working in or the equipment they were using. Making a nice weld under ideal conditions is as easy as falling off a log, and clearly the conditions here are not ideal, but for me there is simply nothing to gained from this thread. If the OP were listening to advice and trying to do a better job, then maybe.

I'm no longer interested in any aspect of this thread.
 
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joesmith123

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your thread won

proof you're an idiot (OP) and your thread is gold

you pump ton and ton of gas trying to make big metal stick together, hour and hour of holding the big flame

thread screaming: "no, get you that electric welding"

I know. I know, talking to a brick wall.
but since you're a brick wall, you barrel forward wastefully

then fully defeated and fully bankrupt, watch you a video that MIGHT be your solution


in this clip, you see him welding thick steel quickly using:

stick welding, where you have a negative clamp on your steel, and a positive clamp in your hand holding a rod known as 7018

you're fully done with acetylene trying to make big steel hold together, save up for now, no spending on anything until you understand the stick welding setup

gather data and save up for this setup, you imagine it:

a generator that you turn on, and put your clamps in their position

or maybe: a separate generator connecting to your welder

There is DC stick welding, and there is AC stick welding

what you want: DC stick welding rig

Please simply critique this setup/plan

acetylene is only good for thin metals where you want to bind them, good for plumbing etc,

NOT for fusing thick steel because:

you are wasting ton and ton of time/$ heating up your area, that by the time its hot enough to take a weld, you already tired and outta gas

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fix busted fel valve without welding, cut everything flat, come up with good plan

maybe: slice all metal flat, make you a 90 out of that thick steel, then

put bolts on fel rod and onto your big steel support, figure it out

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take base off fel valve, slice it flat

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grind down all the bad weld

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measure to cut your bracket

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slice a bracket

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mock it up

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tried drilling hole on the fel rod, nope, keep breaking bit

thick steel in there you cant drill through

found an exhaust clamp, not holding well

busted fel won again

you cant figure out to fasten it permanently without the thick metal welding

20250218_154119.jpg


take your L on the busted fel rod, melt you some bronze on your busted exhaust manifold
 
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ken erickson

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Joe,
Glad to see your considering an alternative to gas welding. You had me and then 'Lost" me when you started welding cracks and chunks of steel to your tractor in the fashion you were.

I say this in sincerity , have you considered taking an adult welding class at the local (maybe not so local in your case) tech collage? Getting some real hands on instruction would be worth it's weight in gold. Youtube videos and internet advice can be good but does not replace face to face instruction from an experienced welder.
 
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sitric

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I too, am glad to see you considering alternatives. I've owned commercial grade welders for 40 years, until I retired and sold out. Welding wasn't my profession, but when you run a shop with a dozen pieces of heavy equipment, you do a lot of your own repairs. Since retirement, I still like to stick things together at times, and so purchased an inverter welder, that does tig, gas and gasless mig, and stick welding. It will run off my 220 volt 5,000 watt generator when need be, and the cost was right close to $200 on sale. Obviously, when hard wired at home, I can crank up the amperage and weld thicker pieces, but out in the field, if you don't over do the cycles, it is surprising how good the little China "toy" performs. Instruction would be beneficial, but I'm pretty sure that is not going to happen here. However, with one of these inexpensive machines, I have no doubt, some very strong 3 pass welding could be accomplished after very little practice. These little things are the easiest way for a novice with little resources, to accomplish structurally sound repairs.
 
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joesmith123

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weld busted exhaust, fix other tasks

20250218_164225.jpg


take out entire exhaust, grind your welding area, clean it, set it up the way you want to weld it

use a higher acetylene flame, use a nail as filler, bronze is weak, melt you big puddle around entire break

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20250218_182319.jpg
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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You do NOT want stick, you want MIG.
A MIG welder, can be run off a smaller generator.
Mig is much easier and quicker to learn how to use it properly.
You can weld metal in a much wider range of sizes, from your exhaust to your loader frame.
 
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WI_Hedgehog

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Joe, your completely working against yourself to keep the tractor together and running.
You send all your time repairing repairs, because your not making effective and lasting repairs.

I was dead serious that you have spent more time and money doing bad repairs.
If you would do proper repairs you would be so much farther ahead!
You're 1,000 posts late to the party... :ROFLMAO:

He wants a stick welder, it's cheaper, the rod is also cheaper, and there's no MIG feeder to clog up, no tips to replace and no expensive gas. Remember his "shop" is "uneven dirt," a feeder will jam constantly. Plus, instead of welding rod he can use coat hangers. Or a bolt. Or an old fork... 👨‍🔧
 
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North Idaho Wolfman

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You're 1,000 posts late to the party... :ROFLMAO:

He wants a stick welder, it's cheaper, the rod is also cheaper, and there's no MIG feeder to clog up, no tips to replace and no expensive gas. Remember his "shop" is "uneven dirt," a feeder will jam constantly. Plus, instead of welding rod he can use coat hangers. Or a bolt. Or an old fork... 👨‍🔧
Have you ever tried and run a stick welder on a generator?
Doesn't work well unless the gen is very large!
Agree with the no clog and tips, neither of which I have any issue with and I used my mig in condition similar to joe.
You can also do flux core (gasless) wire, but a small bottle of gas if far cheaper than what he's been paying for acetylene, and one bottle lasts me a long time.

And yes I know, my advice is probably never going to reach joe, but maybe someone else is reading this and using it.
 
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Sidekick

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Have you ever tried and run a stick welder on a generator?
Doesn't work well unless the gen is very large!
Agree with the no clog and tips, neither of which I have any issue with and I used my mig in condition similar to joe.
You can also do flux core (gasless) wire, but a small bottle of gas if far cheaper than what he's been paying for acetylene, and one bottle lasts me a long time.

And yes I know, my advice is probably never going to reach joe, but maybe someone else is reading this and using it.
I have, and it takes a big generator. I bought a 14kw 30 hp generator to run tools and welders in my old barn without electricity. You need a 50 amp 220 plug for my stick. My generator puts out 55 amps but that's only required on the high setting of the welder. I think Joe just needs to find a mobile welder for the next job. It's too late for this machine because it's beyond proper repair at this point but future machines with problems should be noted and addressed at teardown. Then properly repaired before final assembly. This thread has been how my 10 year old grandson would have attacked this build because he wouldn't listen to anyone at that age. But at least now he has learned that you can find out how to fix anything on the internet 😆 and still doesn't listen.
 
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WI_Hedgehog

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I have, and it takes a big generator. I bought a 14kw 30 hp generator to run tools and welders in my old barn without electricity. You need a 50 amp 220 plug for my stick. My generator puts out 55 amps but that's only required on the high setting of the welder. I think Joe just needs to find a mobile welder for the next job. It's too late for this machine because it's beyond proper repair at this point but future machines with problems should be noted and addressed at teardown. Then properly repaired before final assembly. This thread has been how my 10 year old grandson would have attacked this build because he wouldn't listen to anyone at that age. But at least now he has learned that you can find out how to fix anything on the internet 😆 and still doesn't listen.
It's fine, you should see his solar wiring, and the stuff he tries to run off it.

Actually, you might want to check out how he's able to write decent English and this thread is pretty much a con-job of OTT members, it's not like he hasn't pulled the schame schtuff (with better English) other places:

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I just ran it for about 30-45 minutes
When it started cold, there was some oil pressure reading on the gauge (3 or 4 bars)
Then, after warming up, oil thinned, and gauge went down and the machine shut down
My theory: there are leaks all over the engine, causing the oil to lose pressure
What is your theory?

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At this moment, the 3 big things I am trying to figure out (feel free to critique/give advice):

1. I want to build a metal frame around the exposed wheel well. My plan: Build a metal structure out of square tubing (1/2'' size), then use either metal or aluminum sheeting and fasten it to the metal structure, then spray rustproofing above the tires onto the new metal to seal it up from the weather

2. Locate the proper aluminum that will be used to cover the burned aluminum to seal the body of the airstream

The right way to go with this one is maybe to go with whole other airstream that is donor unit, like someone mentioned

The cost of aluminum nowadays, it might be cheaper just to get a whole other airstream

3. Windows: The cost of one airstream window is more than I paid for the entire airstream
My plan: Get similar sized windows from facebook marketplace/craigslist and fit them into the holes

Yes I am listening, no more hard hammering on small areas, it is pretty much good enough at this point, If I do more hammering, it'll be on 2x4 or 2x6 to spread the pressure

Decided to pressurize gasoline instead of lacquer thinner to save costs
Hit it with the gasoline, wipe it clean
Hit it with the stripping paste, let it sit for 3 minutes max
While it is still wet, hit it with the 3M 7 inch stripping disc


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Not good idea to hammer on aluminum
One slight tap, and the aluminum falls apart, stopped immediately
Tried to find a nut that would fit that crevice, no luck
I do not want to damage that part, its mostly good except for one little seal
Better to maybe order a kit that has a bunch of those "bearing nut wrenches"
Or maybe order the exact one
Or another idea: that that part with me to the parts store until I find a nut/part that will fit in there

From that image, I am hammering the gear side, not the spline side
Maybe once I start hammering on it, I'll figure it out
Had a tough time finding anything other than HEx ....
until I relized that most water fittings are octo....
So a hose repair from your local ace might be solution...
 
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joesmith123

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A MIG welder, can be run off a smaller generator.
You can weld metal in a much wider range of sizes, from your exhaust to your loader frame.
only hold up on the mig: every video I see of them sticking together THICK steel, they always are doing stick welding, higher amp

and some of them say that mig welding thick steel is not as reliable

but I am still considering mig (just because you recommend it)

He wants a stick welder, it's cheaper, the rod is also cheaper, and there's no MIG feeder to clog up, no tips to replace and no expensive gas. Remember his "shop" is "uneven dirt," a feeder will jam constantly.

Have you ever tried and run a stick welder on a generator?
Doesn't work well unless the gen is very large!
I have, and it takes a big generator. I bought a 14kw 30 hp generator to run tools and welders in my old barn without electricity. You need a 50 amp 220 plug for my stick. My generator puts out 55 amps but that's only required on the high setting of the welder.
look at all the gold statement, specific to your problem, you can't pay someone enough to put you in the right direction, more than this thread

from what the thread is saying:

you can do the mig easier, with smaller generator, but its not as good for thick steel as stick

you can do the stick welding, PERFECT for thick steel, but you need a crazy generator

Screen Shot 2025-02-19 at 11.07.25 AM.png


here's one locally, for $200, a good brand, no Chinese junk, needs leads and other TLC

but I bet it is better than ANY new one because of the quality of what is inside

Screen Shot 2025-02-19 at 11.12.06 AM.png


here's one for $100, old one but SOLID brand, they claim it work

Screen Shot 2025-02-19 at 11.14.06 AM.png


Screen Shot 2025-02-19 at 11.14.46 AM.png


ok here's one for $3000, has a built in generator and inverter all in one shot, very expensive but SOLID brand for doing high amp stick welding

Screen Shot 2025-02-19 at 11.17.49 AM.png


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wow, check out a 1973 diesel Onan, 12000 watt, can do 240 volt, for $1000

this thing an absolute tank, and could power your stick welding off grid situation

for about $1500, you can completely solve your big steel sticking together problem, where

you get a big ol generator, and a quality stick/arc welder

__________

all this electric talk pop up another idea in your head:

you do have an electric car and you can access the high voltage leads easily

a volt meter show you 220 volt direct current at those leads

how about this:

imagine you run a big wire negative lead to your thick steel that your welding on

then in your hand, is the positive lead holding those stick welding rod

then when your rod touch the welding area, it will short circuit the high voltage (200 volt direct current) and do a crazy weld

show you pictures next chance I get, but critique the idea

the question is, what would be the problem with using an electric car to do stick welding?

it has VERY powerful inverter that can move 3000 pound without an engine running...
 
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ken erickson

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A proper mig welder set up correctly will be able to weld any thickness you will encounter on your tractor IMHO.

I think the part of the equation that you're missing is proper weldment set up, material preparation , choosing the correct material when making braces, patches etc. You can have the best welding machine , electrodes , filler wire, shielding agents and if your preparation is not correct it is all a waste of time , material and money.

I think you would be better served to step back, take a deep breath, spend the time to learn these important steps needed before ever striking an arc.
 
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