Made in China - Repaired in USA - or - Judy, Judy How Does Your Garden Grow?

[duaneb55]

Judy started working on her 'garden' this week and was getting ready to set some tomato plants in the half barrels she grows them in and brought to my attention the beating the wire cages have taken over the last few years and suggested a little welding project. How could I refuse? Besides, it was a perfect opportunity to use the SK-35 spot weld panel on the MM200. All six cages had several broken welds and some had rings completely broken off. At a couple bucks a piece some may wonder why we just didn't go get new ones but what kind of thread would that make for a welding forum? "Bought Some New Tomato Cages Today".

Here's how they looked before starting. Cleaned up the wire where all the broken welds were and straightened everything out as I went.


Close up of one of the welds. Not the best one but the clearest shot. Spot timer allowed pointing, pull the trigger and let the welder do the rest. Switch sides, pull trigger again and all done.


All six cages better than new a short time later. About the same amount of time it would have taken to run to Home Depot or Walmart to get new ones.


Welder settings using C-25 at 20cfh.


Close up of SK-35 Spot Weld Panel settings.


I can taste those fresh tomatoes already. Thanks for looking.

[scotts_enterprises]

I would have done the same thing

[farmersamm]

That's a pretty versatile machine Duane. I've never seen anything like it

[duaneb55]

Sam, the spot weld control is really meant for working with sheet metal but I figured why not go ahead and use it for this quick project.

I've got a WC-1S weld controller with spot weld control and Spoolmatic-1 spoolgun set up too. With those you can set the weld time and burn back same as on the MM200. Another use for these could be consistent stitch welds in addition to controlled spot welding. 1lb aluminum, SS or MS wire spools can be used in the SM-1 spoolgun as required combined with the correct shielding gas.

[farmersamm]

Originally Posted by duaneb55

Sam, the spot weld control is really meant for working with sheet metal but I figured why not go ahead and use it for this quick project.

I've got a WC-1S weld controller with spot weld control and Spoolmatic-1 spoolgun set up too. With those you can set the weld time and burn back same as on the MM200. Another use for these could be consistent stitch welds in addition to controlled spot welding. 1lb aluminum, SS or MS wire spools can be used in the SM-1 spoolgun as required combined with the correct shielding gas.

I've heard the spoolgun is really the way to go with aloooominum. I guess it's hard to feed thru a standard liner because it isn' t stiff enough.

[Sandy]

I can taste those fresh tomatoes already. Thanks for looking.

Do whatever you have to do to keep the gardner happy.

Funny how much time a guy will spend on something like that. I'll do almost anything other than go into to the big box stores.

[Bob]

If you want to make her some bigger ones Duane, you could make them out of 6"x^' concrete mesh. Just cut off the end ring but leave the verticals to stick into the ground. Makes a cage 5' tall. I like them about two feet around. Works good for big tomato plants.

[duaneb55]

Originally Posted by Sandy

Do whatever you have to do to keep the gardner happy.

As long as the gardner keeps coming up with welding projects the weldor will be happy too.

[duaneb55]

Originally Posted by Bob

If you want to make her some bigger ones Duane, you could make them out of 6"x^' concrete mesh. Just cut off the end ring but leave the verticals to stick into the ground. Makes a cage 5' tall. I like them about two feet around. Works good for big tomato plants.

Thanks Bob - that's a great idea. In the past some of her bigger tomato plants have definately given the typical sized cage a run for its money.

[Greyhorse]

I've made about a dozen of the concrete mesh tomato cages. They work great! A t-post and some wire holds them really well too. You don't get bent wire from the huge plants like with the store bought baskets.

[danomite33]

I had to read the title of your post many, many, many times before the arc went full bright! Boy do I feel foolish. Guess I've been sniffing flux too long... BTW, Enjoy reading your posts.

[welderShane]

Nice work duane!! When did you get that mm 200? I have'nt been on this site in a while!! Glad to be back. Looks like theres a whole bunch of new people!

[specter]

Well I am glad to see that Judy is doing much better and has you helping her out in the garden.

Gee Shane where have you been hiding!!?? are you thats busy working?

[duaneb55]

Originally Posted by danomite33

I had to read the title of your post many, many, many times before the arc went full bright! Boy do I feel foolish. Guess I've been sniffing flux too long... BTW, Enjoy reading your posts.

. Didn't mean to throw ya a curve ball there danomite33.

BTW, thanks.

[duaneb55]

Originally Posted by welderShane

Nice work duane!! When did you get that mm 200? I have'nt been on this site in a while!! Glad to be back. Looks like theres a whole bunch of new people!

Good to hear from you again Shane and you're right - a bunch of new folks. The project was certainly nothing earth shaking but still fun and I've had the MM200 for awhile now and before acquiring the rest of the 'fleet'.

[Joker11]

That is way cool. My PowerMig 350MP has that feature and I haven't used it yet. Looks like your Miller did great! Now you have my mind going! Thanks.

I was wondering what the difference is between using the spot timer and just pulling the trigger for a short time? Does it function differently?

sorry, this is a new thing to me.

And my daughter just started her tomatoes last week. We have 5 green ones so far! whoo hoo! I can't wait to get my salt shaker and sit by the pool eating right off the vine!

[Oldiron2]

Originally Posted by Joker11

That is way cool. My PowerMig 350MP has that feature and I haven't used it yet. Looks like your Miller did great! Now you have my mind going! Thanks.

I was wondering what the difference is between using the spot timer and just pulling the trigger for a short time? Does it function differently?

The timer just gives a more repeatable weld, especially for short times on thin sheet metal. Being 'automatic', it doesn't get sidetracked the way some of us can, too.

[duaneb55]

Joker11,
As I was telling Sam and as you probably know, the spot weld panel is really intended for use with sheet metal but I used it here just to use it and once I got it adjusted right it made it easy to produce consistent welds. Pretty much the same as one could get by just pulling the trigger for a short time as you mentioned. The 'burn back' adjustment assures the wire doesn't stick to the puddle when the 'weld time' times out because you would normally be using a special spot weld nozzle that rests on the material and the gun isn't moving. I was really just playing with the feature which could also be used for uniform length stitch welds.

Enjoy those tomatoes once they ripen!

[duaneb55]

Originally Posted by Oldiron2

The timer just gives a more repeatable weld, especially for short times on thin sheet metal. Being 'automatic', it doesn't get sidetracked the way some of us can, too.

Oops - beat me to it Oldiron2 and that's a good way to put it.

[dougspair]

...Well....I bought a MM200 in 1980, first one the welding store ever sold....and also bought the Miller plug-in spool-gun for aluminum mainly, doing semi-truck head-rack and fuel tank stuff....never got the spot attachment, but used the front panel space to install polarity reversing switch for using inner-shield....and have Tweco #4 mig-gun with 15 foot lead on there, dealer said Miller gun wouldn't hold up to the spray-arc I would be running most of the time...actually gave me $85 off the Tweco gun/cable-hose in exchange.
...And still using the same machine...never needed any repairs yet....contactor terminals, wire-feeder motor brushes, and gas solenoid all still looking like new...

[duaneb55]

Yeah dougspair the MM200's are real work horses and I've though about modifying mine for switching polarity but quite frankly if welding conditions would require fluxcore I'd just break out the Syncrowave 180 SD or the Roughneck 2E and use stick.

Ironically, I have a 400amp #4 Tweco gun for my '81 MM200 as well should I need it for spray weld purposes to spare the 'original equipment' replacement GA-20 (gas hose failed inside the original gun).