So it has been several weeks since my last update. I have continued to work on the trailer frame trying to get it ready for axles, a coating of POR-15, and the new plywood floor.
I installed the new Dexter axles and began to coat the trailer with POR-15. When it was finished, it looked pretty good. The next weekend I planned to put on the black topcoat and silver topcoat on the tongue.
Then my wife decided to cut the grass and clipped one of the outriggers with the riding mower and the outrigger just popped off! My weld had only penetrated the 3/16″ steel in a few spots. 😦
The project was on hold until I could figure out what to do. All my welds were now suspect. I called a friend that does welding for our projects at work to see if he could come over and look at my welding and help me decide what to do. Chris Bounds and his son Brandon came by and we decided that they would bring over their generator and 225 amp Mig welder to beef up my welds. John and I spent a couple nights after work cleaning off the POR-15 from each weld area with spray stripper (nasty stuff), a twisted wire brush wheel and grinder.
After getting the weld areas exposed, Brandon spent seven hours crawling all over the trailer rewelding everything! His dad Chris and I stood around talking for the most part but helped move the equipment and cleaned out welds as needed by Brandon.
Special thanks to Chris and Brandon Bounds for rescuing my project! I hate to think about my welds possibly coming apart as Dee and I made our way down the road on a vacation! Brandon’s work was very good and other than being oppressively hot, it was a good day.
Now I need to go back and reapply the POR-15 to the weld areas and topcoat the trailer. We will be ready for the plywood decking and get this project moving forward again!
Scott's Stuff 