CAT 374D L

[oldwestrnwear]

this is a beautiful work of art

thanks perry

[Hemi1966]

Not much to report here I've been disassembling the excavator for easier painting.
I also have been practicing tig welding with varying success
I can weld aluminium over 2mm thick, but I'm struggling with thinner materials when welding corner and but joints. Especially when the other part is narrow and other is bigger I tend to melt the narrow part through
I was trying to weld the cab side to the front window frame which is about 6mm wide and it melt through

[RCP57]

I've definitely been there! The only difference is my pieces weren't as pretty as yours before I ruined them.lol You would think that it would be easy but it's really not. I think I have improved with time(you will too) but I've also learned that there are some things that "I" just don't have the ability to weld. I often weld pieces together before cutting out windows or drilling holes. This often makes the welding possible but the hole cutting a pain in the a$$. I also sometimes make small parts oversize and trim them to the proper shape or size after welding. All that makes the job more time consuming but there is nothing worse than spending hours on a part only to melt a big hole in it and having to start again!

Reg

[Hemi1966]

Originally Posted by RCP57

I've definitely been there! The only difference is my pieces weren't as pretty as yours before I ruined them.lol You would think that it would be easy but it's really not. I think I have improved with time(you will too) but I've also learned that there are some things that "I" just don't have the ability to weld. I often weld pieces together before cutting out windows or drilling holes. This often makes the welding possible but the hole cutting a pain in the a$$. I also sometimes make small parts oversize and trim them to the proper shape or size after welding. All that makes the job more time consuming but there is nothing worse than spending hours on a part only to melt a big hole in it and having to start again!

Reg

Thanks Reg, you gave me several good advices there. I actually went through your Volvo thread yesterday to see how you did your cab. I will try to make the window frame oversize, that might make the welding easier

[Hemi1966]

Excavator parts degreased and ready for painting
Here's everything except the hydraulic lines.

[rc_farmer]

Truly a masterpiece!