Welding Tips and Tricks

Do these welds look safe ? Vid of all the welds in link below, This bracket will slide over the front of a small flatbed trailer that I fit one ATV or one dirtbike only . While two dirt bikes could fit side by side on the bed, the outside tie downs will be pulling straight down ...no good . Although I've sledge hammered and torture tested some of my welds, I recognize i'm only doing this a few months and could use critiques . In the pic , the bracket is only temp slid half way on the front of the trailer ... there will be a threaded rod bolt that goes thru the holes in the bracket and thru existing holes in the side of the trailer, 52" rod going thru from one side to the other.
The bracket is 0.125" mild steel. Thanks much
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Video of all the welds----> https://youtu.be/ODJw7Wy0Pok
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Doesn't look like you need to worry about it breaking. Especially if your bolting it down as well. What direction will see the most force as you drive and break in traffic?

Poland308 wrote:Doesn't look like you need to worry about it breaking. Especially if your bolting it down as well. What direction will see the most force as you drive and break in traffic?

Thanks much. It's a very snug fit but without the bolt going thru it, it would just vibrate off real quick .
I use a block on the front wheel and tie downs from the foot pegs to the rear of the trailer, not to worried about the bikes moving forward, just concerned about the welds. The tie downs come off the lower triple clamps and down to the trailer at about a 30 degree angle if 2 bikes ...One bike and they come down about 45 degrees .
Just put the ends on it ...The end pieces where the tie down hooks go are 0.180" 304 SS flat stock I had . Welded them on with that 625 rod . https://youtu.be/dWWtRQMUA28

After seeing the new video it makes more sense to me now. Just be sure to check how it fits on the trailer after you put a bike on it and tension the strap. You might see some flex over all depending on how much tension you put on it. But I don't think it will give you any troubles.

Looks great! NIce welds too!

stuff they sell in not that beefy
craig

I think the welds look as solid as the dog.

Steve S

Thanks for the input guys. The front part of the trailer that it slides over is 0.125" and it's pretty rugged so I think this bracket is heavy enough . It's gona hold down 2 dirt bikes that are about 220lbs each . The trailer hauls a 700lb quad no prob . It's just the welds I was concerned about. I'm just a guy in a garage with a welder, not doing this very long and have not had my welds critiqued for integrity . And btw, the end hoops are 0.180" 304 SS , I used that 625 filler wire to weld them to the ends of the mild steel box tube...that 625 flows and wets in real nice ! Has a funny off silver tone to it .

Not bad for a guy with one eye. Are you left handed by chance?

Len


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Braehill wrote:Not bad for a guy with one eye. Are you left handed by chance?
Len

I got both eyes ...haha ...and I had the pencil taken out of my left hand when I went to kindergarten
...been a righty ever since . I do sometimes swap hands though ...for practice