How is a weld like a wife? (the good, bad and the ugly.)

[cadman70454]

"failure awaits him whose metal goes unknown."

You are right about that. I had a metallurgy lab class that taught us how to identify metals and alloys at the metal crystal level with a microscope.  Fortunately the stuff we fabricate from comes with a bar code, heat number, etc.

I've worked in metal fabrication shops since 1983 but unfortunately I'm not an expert in welding.  Only applying welding symbols to my fabrication drawings.  However, I agree with those who say that aluminum is more difficult than steel to weld.  A good weld should be stronger than the base metal.  In other words, the surrounding material should fail before the weld fails, if that is the design intent.

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9152/thread" timestamp="1428750699" author="@charliem"][quote source="/post/9149/thread" timestamp="1428720791" author="@whoofit"]I just got done cutting through 10 welds on my 16DB today. They weren't pretty but I can tell you they were definitely stuck well. [/quote][font size="3"]Whoofit,

I was regarded with considerable skepticism when I described some of my early mods. Cutting into a perfectly good $30K trailer, etc. But cutting through 10 welds? Are you a professional weld inspector masquerading as a weekend camper, or are we in for a massive  [strike]mod[/strike] rebuild of a 16DB? Please explain. I can't stand it  :-S
[/font][/quote][p]HA![/p][p]
[/p][p]No, Charlie I modified my sofa into dinette booth seats and modified the sofa pedestal into the booth for dinette seating. Couldn't take that jack knife sofa any longer. Coming out great!
[/p]

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9153/thread" timestamp="1428752496" author="@mitch"][quote source="/post/9149/thread" timestamp="1428720791" author="@whoofit"]I just got done cutting through 10 welds on my 16DB today. They weren't pretty but I can tell you they were definitely stuck well. [/quote]You'll probably need some extra sway control now, just sayin.[/quote][p]LOL![/p][p]
[/p][p]Welp they told me my tongue weighed too much so I cut it off.
[/p]

[shovelhead]

How much grief did you go thru to remove the jack-knife sofa?

[whoofit]

How much grief did you go thru to remove the jack-knife sofa?

None, it pops right out. Four screws and done. It's satisfy chopping it up into little pieces though. Good for the soul. I don't hate much in this world but that sofa is one of those things.

[shovelhead]

Well, just did the deed.  No sofa.  Now I'm on a quest for a reclining loveseat.

[whoofit]

[quote source="/post/9226/thread" author="@shovelhead" timestamp="1428873680"]Well, just did the deed.  No sofa.  Now I'm on a quest for a reclining loveseat.[/quote][p]I was surprised at how light it was.[/p][p]
[/p][p]The welds on the sofa were really well done. The strapping material as the springs?....lol[/p][p]
[/p][p]My knee popped one on night four. Wondered what it was until I disassembled.[/p][p]
[/p][p]You all can feel confident in the sofa welds....
[/p]

[dh50]

[font size="4"]Update on welds: the good, bad and ugly (Part 1)[/font] 


[attachment id="740" thumbnail="1"] [font size="4"] Good weld (automatic machine weld) found on underside of 36 gal. fuel station.[/font]    [attachment id="742" thumbnail="1"]                            


                                                                         

[dh50]

[font size="4"]Update on welds: the good, bad and ugly (Part 2 due to 'Add Attachment' limitation)[/font]


[attachment id="743" thumbnail="1"]    [font size="3"]An ugly, but good weld for an ugly, but important purpose.  (Yes, I was in the 'belly of the beast'!  GO GIRLY!) [/font]                     [attachment id="744" thumbnail="1"]

[dh50]

[font size="3"]Update on welds: the good, bad and ugly (Part 3 due to 'Add Attachment' limitation)



[attachment id="750" thumbnail="1"] Our hairy weiner...good?  BAAAAD!       [attachment id="751" thumbnail="1"]She may be ugly, but she's a keeper!



[attachment id="752" thumbnail="1"] The wussy? Well, not real ugly,not real bad. Thanks for wasting time, but letting us share from the weld-wide-web.             [span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][span]    [/span][/font]

[dh50]

[font size="4"]Update on welds: the good, bad and ugly (FINAL post.....FINALLY!)
[/font]
In summary, on our 2015 Livin Lite 8526 Axxess Toyhauler, we found the welds on the unit to be generally acceptable.  Some are of poor appearance (ugly), however there are none that would merit a demand to the factory for repair (bad).  For a commercial RV manufacturer, we continue to be pleased with the overall quality of Livin Lite workmanship.  

[dh50]

[font size="4"] :)Update on welds: the good, bad and ugly (FINAL post.....FINALLY!)
[/font]
In summary, on our 2015 Livin Lite 8526 Axxess Toyhauler, we found the welds on the unit to be generally acceptable.  Some are of poor appearance (ugly), however there are none that would merit a demand to the factory for repair (bad).  For a commercial RV manufacturer, we continue to be pleased with the overall quality of Livin Lite workmanship.