The Willomet Charger

[AgDieseler]

Early AM weld sess'.

This was straight current, 37A, with aluminum and copper backers. I set it up last night, and hit it first thing. Air quenching every inch or so eliminates damaging warp, and it's a 2 minute planish to dial the flange back to the prescribed shape.

View attachment IMG_0916.mp4

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Two more down. Two to go.







David

 

[AgDieseler]

Had to learn how to bead roll so I could make these.





Burning them in and blending will be a trick, but I’m forming a plan.

David

 

[ktmoutfront]

Looks good. I enjoy bead rolling. It is relaxing.

 

[AgDieseler]

Looks good. I enjoy bead rolling. It is relaxing.

Thanks man. I’ll keep practicing and get to that place where it’s relaxing.

David

 

[ktmoutfront]

Did you build a table for yours? Supports the work so you don't have to.

I have to make a new one. Had mine off and bent it.

 

[AgDieseler]

Did you build a table for yours? Supports the work so you don't have to.

Oh, no. Full pleb’ mode over here.



It’s early days.

David

 

[ktmoutfront]

I run 8 foot long panels through mine.

 

[AgDieseler]

I cannot leave well enough alone.



I had to work the previous 5 versions after rolling to relieve the shrink, and even then it was a chore, because I couldn’t work the now shrunken metal directly. I figured if “metal is clay” could I just stretch the bead roll area ahead of the bead roll operation itself, and avoid the whole potato chip effect?

The answer is, “yes.”

A high crown anvil on the English wheel rolled along the bend lines is just the ticket. After the roll operation, it’s darned near flat.

I’m quite sure this isn’t revelatory to the pros, but I felt like I was channeling the secret truth of the universe tonight.

David

 

[ktmoutfront]

You should have asked.

 

[Greg72]

I am pretty sure some of the Lazze videos on YouTube talk about that pre-stretch technique prior to beadrolling.

Intellectually, it makes sense... a beadroll is a "stretch" of the metal, so if you can get a little tension out of the panel before you stretch it the whole thing should stay flatter afterward.

#EASIERSAIDTHANDONE






-G

 

[AgDieseler]

You should have asked.

…or googled, or searched the tubes, or asked any one of the local shapers I know, or read that chapter in a book I have. It was the first thought I had waking up, and I just went after it.

Lazze videos on YouTube

I’m going to fire this up.

David

 

[ktmoutfront]

…or googled, or searched the tubes, or asked any one of the local shapers I know, or read that chapter in a book I have. It was the first thought I had waking up, and I just went after it.

David

Been there.

 

[ashman]

…or googled, or searched the tubes, or asked any one of the local shapers I know, or read that chapter in a book I have. It was the first thought I had waking up, and I just went after it.


I’m going to fire this up.

David

I can't tell you the number of times I thought I was a genius for figuring something out after a week of doing it the "wrong" way, only to find out that "everyone" already knows the right way and I could have just avoided the week of struggle if I'd have done a little research first.

 

[shady]

Some things it's cooler if you figure out the right way on your own though... Makes it feel better to have done so.
But yeah, pulling your hair out for a week or two only to find out the 10 minute super hack later is a definite face palm moment lol.

 

[AgDieseler]

Frenching in a plate for a tight fit is not a fast process.

Flange. 38A straight current.



Blending.



Blended.



Tight fit.



Tacked and ready for an early am weld sess’.



“The office.”



David

 

[AgDieseler]

Rise and shine, campers.



90% of this welded nicely without filler. The left side fought back and gassed and spit and generally hated me, and so I gave it some 70S-6.

Now, we blend.

David

 

[Greg72]

Your welds are autogeneous....





-G

 

[AgDieseler]

Your welds are autogeneous....

Less AI than a roomba, and wishes are granted by the dab.

David

 

[Babaganoosh]

I had to look up that word to see what it was, nice.

I appreciate all the blending, it's going to be sad when it gets covered up.