It’s a familiar story we all have been apart of at some point or another, Do-It-Yourself projects. Being a great way to save a little cash when you have more time then money to spare. But they can turn costly quickly if you don’t know what to do or don’t have access to the proper equipment. Happens all the time, sometimes even to the most skilled of us. So when mistakes happen, don’t fret, call a professional for a little guidance and help! You may be amazed at how simple they can make even the most challenging of projects look.
Here is a quick example: Had a client bring in some steel wheels and beadlock rings into the shop. They had originally purchased them all thinking they would have a fun project that would save some cash. But before long they quickly realized they were in over their head. After several valiant efforts and passes at welding a decent bead around one wheel, they decided to throw in the towel and call us for some help. After a quick conversation they quickly realized that their welder just didn’t have the amperage needed.
Quick look at the wheel in question as it arrived at the shop. You will notice the multiple welding passes that haven’t made any decent penetration or an air tight seal.
And here you will see the start of a clean up attempt by the client. After the short time it took to achieve just this, is when they decided it was time to give us a call.
We were able to sand out the weld beads from the multiple different passes that were originally taken.
Closeup after removal of the previous weld beads. You may notice some very visible cracks or holes around the edges. This is where the previous weld had not made proper penetration.
Then we ground out a decent sized gap between the pieces to allow for us to get the required penetration.
Once that was completed, we tacked the pieces together in multiple areas and finally welded it solid, and more importantly air tight.
Having us weld the rest of the wheels together and repair the one already messed with was still cheaper than buying new, complete beadlock wheels. So in the long run, they were still able to save a little money, and got a great product in return.
So don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and try a little DIY. Worst case, we will always be here to help if needed!