ZMotorsports Shop Projects 2.0

[ScepterToad]

Yard is looking great Mike!

I just picked up some sod last night to work on ours. These dang dogs chew it up pretty good over winter.

 

[zmotorsports]

Yard is looking great Mike!

I just picked up some sod last night to work on ours. These dang dogs chew it up pretty good over winter.

Thanks Keith, once I make sure there is nothing going to grow in those two areas I will replace the dead grass with sod and let the healing process begin, for both me and the lawn.

 

[fouckhest]

Yard looks great Mike, off to a great start this year!

Trip looked like a lot of fun, I bet it was nice to get out and enjoy the toys and kick off travel season!

 

[zmotorsports]

Yard looks great Mike, off to a great start this year!

Trip looked like a lot of fun, I bet it was nice to get out and enjoy the toys and kick off travel season!

Thanks Mike. Yes, it felt great to have the Jeep back on dirt again. The weather even cooperated as it was mid-80's so driving through the deep canyon ravines with the top flipped back was awesome.

 

[zmotorsports]

Arrived home last night and figured before I commenced the next project I would give the Jeep a thorough deep cleaning and rid it of all of the dust from last week's off-road trip. Luckily there was no mud that we encountered, a small creek we crossed, but keeping speed down reduces the chance of that nasty mud slinging everywhere. But dust? That gets into every nook and cranny in both the engine bay and the interior but for fortunately it is quickly displaced with compressed air and a wet chamois to wipe things down.

After the car wash, I pulled the Jeep into the shop to give it a wipe down and blow out the interior and engine bay. Now she's nice and clean again. Unfortunately, I did put two small scratches in the passenger side doors going through a tight section between some cedar trees that I'll have to buff out.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Hey Mike, just curious as to when you're on the trail and stop for lunch. What do you do for lunch ? Pack sandwiches, grill something or simple like cheese, "trail" bologna and fruit ?

 

[zmotorsports]

Hey Mike, just curious as to when you're on the trail and stop for lunch. What do you do for lunch ? Pack sandwiches, grill something or simple like cheese, "trail" bologna and fruit ?

Interesting question Eric. To some extent it depends on what we are planning for dinner. I've greatly reduced and changed my eating habits over the past 8 months or so and we're just "tweaking" what our new formula will look like going forward. Currently, when we plan on going out and having a bit larger meal for dinner, we will bring something like apples or crackers to eat w/peanut butter and then the wife packs baby carrots or celery for snacks while driving. When we don't really have any big plans for dinner, we will bring something more substantial such as sandwiches or something similar. We have a Yeti cooler that I strap in the back seat for our cold drinks with ice, but for snacks and lunch we have a small, insulated cooler with frozen containers for cooling that we carry along. Plus, we also pack a little "extra" for those just in case scenarios when we may get stranded or be on the trail longer than intended.


We have friends that put things like burritos or things that they want hot on their engines to keep warm and although this works, I've seen some leak and I just don't want stuff all over my engine. Back when we snowmobiled, we had warmer trays that strapped on the exhaust pipes to keep our lunches warm which worked well, but I think we're looking at something to carry inside the Jeep that plugs in to keep things warm such as an electric lunchbox, just haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. I did mention to the wife last fall that maybe when our grandson gets a bit older and the kids start coming with us more that we could throw our small Weber grill in and make a bit larger lunch and something that our grandson will remember as he gets older rather than just packed sandwiches. I think my son still remembers some of our lunch stops when we were sledding that were more outside the norm and after all, that's what it's all about, creating memories.

 

[Xti04]

My wife bought me a small 12 volt plug in lunchbox to have hot food back when I was driving 200 plus miles a day to see pts. I used it a few times but didnt think much of it. It really came to use with our boat. I would grill up hotdogs and wrap them in foil. Throw them in the lunchbox and then plug them in about an hour before we wanted to eat. Hot lunch on the lake. Its not anything special but I like it and it feeds us all a hot lunch without much effort.

 

[rd65]

Nothing like pulling some Johnsonville Cheddar Brats out of the Hotdogger and a cold beer out of the spare gauntlet gloves while snowmobiling. Good times.

 

[zmotorsports]

Last fall I noticed a bushing/isolator supporting the radiator on the coach that had deteriorated to the point that about half of it was gone. While working on the coolant tubes a few weeks ago, I took some measurements and have been doing research to locate one. I discovered that it looks like a MACK truck radiator isolator is identical or maybe even what Monaco/Roadmaster sourced for use. I ordered a couple and they arrived last week while the wife and I were out of town so last night I took some time to replace them.

Here the lower part of the bushing is noticeably deteriorated to the point of most if being missing.


I the upper nut is spot welded to the support so a couple of shots of Kroil to creep into the threads and it was easily removed.


Bolt and both upper and lower bushings/isolator pieces removed.


New bushing.


New vs. old. Then the threads were cleaned up on the wire wheel and a coat of anti-seize applied before reassembly.


Radiator lowered just enough to slip the new upper bushing into position.


Bolt and lower bushing assembled.


And fully fastened.



Next to repeat on the forward bushing/isolator then it should be good for another 150k miles/23 years, whichever comes first.

Thanks for looking.

 

[fouckhest]

Last fall I noticed a bushing/isolator supporting the radiator on the coach that had deteriorated to the point that about half of it was gone. While working on the coolant tubes a few weeks ago, I took some measurements and have been doing research to locate one. I discovered that it looks like a MACK truck radiator isolator is identical or maybe even what Monaco/Roadmaster sourced for use. I ordered a couple and they arrived last week while the wife and I were out of town so last night I took some time to replace them.

Next to repeat on the forward bushing/isolator then it should be good for another 150k miles/23 years, whichever comes first.

Mike, you may already know this, but figured I'd share for common knowledge. Most of the cost manufactures source their chassis from one of the "Vocational vehicle" manufacturers; I used to work for a division of Freightliner that build Fire Trucks (American LaFrance), they also had a division called "FCCC" Freightliner Custom Chassis Co., and we/they/all, basically shopped from the catalog of parts that came from the "mothership."

All that being said, now that you know that there are Mack parts on it, that should certainly make it easier to go shop for parts knowing age range, engine/chassis size and where to hone in quickly.

 

[ScepterToad]

Nice catch on that bushing Mike! Your attention to detail is probably some of the highest I've ever seen when it comes to this stuff.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike, you may already know this, but figured I'd share for common knowledge. Most of the cost manufactures source their chassis from one of the "Vocational vehicle" manufacturers; I used to work for a division of Freightliner that build Fire Trucks (American LaFrance), they also had a division called "FCCC" Freightliner Custom Chassis Co., and we/they/all, basically shopped from the catalog of parts that came from the "mothership."

All that being said, now that you know that there are Mack parts on it, that should certainly make it easier to go shop for parts knowing age range, engine/chassis size and where to hone in quickly.

I completely agree Mike, and this is a topic I am very passionate about and have covered at length on the few RV forums that I participate on. It annoys me when people discount certain brands of coaches because the company is no longer in business and labeled as an "orphan". I have tried to explain numerous times that Monaco, or Country Coach, Alpine, American or any other player in the game didn't actually manufacture most of the individual components that make up the whole, especially chassis parts. They didn't make their own air springs, brake relay valves, brake components, slack adjusters or even microwaves or refrigerators. Some people just like the convenience of calling the "mothership" and asking for a part for their specific serial # of coach and in the end they pay so much more on the markup of such things. What makes it worse is when a manufacturer goes out of business, these same people are quick to scream the sky is falling and to post all over the interwebs telling others to avoid them because they won't be able to buy parts to keep them on the road.

This is such hogwash because the parts are still available but there has to be some research and legwork to source them. Hell, all three of our coaches have been orphans, the first two were orphans when I bought them and I knew exactly what being able to properly maintain them would consist of, and I've never not been able to find the parts needed to keep our coaches on the road in proper operating condition, some components just took a bit more research than others. The manufacturer was NEVER the first point of contact in my mind mainly due to the high markups associated. I always searched elsewhere and to be honest, I have never actually purchased a single part from Monaco in the 18+ years we've owned this coach.

 

[zmotorsports]

Nice catch on that bushing Mike! Your attention to detail is probably some of the highest I've ever seen when it comes to this stuff.

Thank you Keith. I appreciate the comments, but I have seen some beautifully and meticulously maintained coaches in my days that are leaps and bounds beyond ours. I do my best and constantly trying to up my game in the coach maintenance department.

 

[Cane]

Last fall I noticed a bushing/isolator supporting the radiator on the coach that had deteriorated to the point that about half of it was gone. While working on the coolant tubes a few weeks ago, I took some measurements and have been doing research to locate one. I discovered that it looks like a MACK truck radiator isolator is identical or maybe even what Monaco/Roadmaster sourced for use. I ordered a couple and they arrived last week while the wife and I were out of town so last night I took some time to replace them.

Here the lower part of the bushing is noticeably deteriorated to the point of most if being missing.


I the upper nut is spot welded to the support so a couple of shots of Kroil to creep into the threads and it was easily removed.


Bolt and both upper and lower bushings/isolator pieces removed.


New bushing.


New vs. old. Then the threads were cleaned up on the wire wheel and a coat of anti-seize applied before reassembly.


Radiator lowered just enough to slip the new upper bushing into position.


Bolt and lower bushing assembled.


And fully fastened.



Next to repeat on the forward bushing/isolator then it should be good for another 150k miles/23 years, whichever comes first.

Thanks for looking.

Those look the same as the bushings for the air to air on my 379 Pete.

You might want to change that air to air hose and clamps. When they go they sound like you blew a tire. I always carry a spare with clamps in the truck.

Nice catch on the bushings. I've had to replace a air to air from bad bushings. Cooler was rubbing on the cool pack frame work.

 

[zmotorsports]

Those look the same as the bushings for the air to air on my 379 Pete.

You might want to change that air to air hose and clamps. When they go they sound like you blew a tire. I always carry a spare with clamps in the truck.

Nice catch on the bushings. I've had to replace a air to air from bad bushings. Cooler was rubbing on the cool pack frame work.

Thanks. I do carry a spare CAC hose but I pressure test my intake system annually and check for leaks. They may look rough, but they're still holding perfectly.

 

[fouckhest]

I completely agree Mike, and this is a topic I am very passionate about and have covered at length on the few RV forums that I participate on. It annoys me when people discount certain brands of coaches because the company is no longer in business and labeled as an "orphan". I have tried to explain numerous times that Monaco, or Country Coach, Alpine, American or any other player in the game didn't actually manufacture most of the individual components that make up the whole, especially chassis parts.

I figured you would be all over it! When my dad bought his first class A, I still worked for freightliner, I told him go find a coach built on a FCCC chassis and get a CAT C7 or C9 power plant with an Allison if possible. I know he got the CAT power plant, not sure on the engine, but I knew if he had issues with anything on the mechanical end I would be able to help find parts and such

 

[zmotorsports]

I figured you would be all over it! When my dad bought his first class A, I still worked for freightliner, I told him go find a coach built on a FCCC chassis and get a CAT C7 or C9 power plant with an Allison if possible. I know he got the CAT power plant, not sure on the engine, but I knew if he had issues with anything on the mechanical end I would be able to help find parts and such

Mike, I think another thing that somewhat gives me an advantage for researching such things is my time behind the parts counter in High School and immediately afterwards, plus all of the special interest vehicles that I've built over the years using non-stock parts and locating the parts that would work by sizing components and less by looking up by application.

During my short several years of being a parts counterman in High School, I had developed quite a knack for finding parts for people that were out of the norm and not listed under the application for said vehicle. Most parts stores would just send them kicking rocks if it wasn't listed in the parts catalog. Yes, I said parts catalog because there were no computers linked at that time and surely not anywhere near as much information at our fingertips as we have today with the vastness of the internet. I used to have to do the research old school, by looking up size specifications, compound or material construction and then many times on the phone with suppliers to get even more information. When I left one parts company to another, I actually had customers follow me for the very reason that I would find them the parts needed.

This is why I simply don't understand the behavior and language used on the RV forums telling people to avoid certain brands. There is SO much information available these days compared to 3 or 4 decades ago there should be no reason to avoid something just because the mothership is no longer in business. It just requires some time researching.

 

[fouckhest]

Yes, I said parts catalog because there were no computers linked at that time and surely not anywhere near as much information at our fingertips as we have today with the vastness of the internet.

I can vividly remember going to "Marietta Ignition," the local parts store that also had an in-house machine shop! You'd belly up to the counter, sit on the stool and watch the guy working flip through 6ft of catalogs lol! (I can remember this from my dads business as well before they went computer). But that store was amazing, you could leave there with a mower deck belt and pulley for your 1977 Wheel horse tractor along with new brakes for xyz chevy/ford/dodge, didn't matter, they seemingly had it all!

This is why I simply don't understand the behavior and language used on the RV forums telling people to avoid certain brands. There is SO much information available these days compared to 3 or 4 decades ago there should be no reason to avoid something just because the mothership is no longer in business. It just requires some time researching.

It is an interesting dynamic, I would expect anyone on an RV forum to be astute enough to know how to search and find. But maybe its the "rich guys" that don't have any mechanical aptitude, so even if they did search and find the answer, they would have nothing to do with said information other than relay it to their mechanic, who likely just wants to bill for troubleshooting hours

 

[zmotorsports]

I can vividly remember going to "Marietta Ignition," the local parts store that also had an in-house machine shop! You'd belly up to the counter, sit on the stool and watch the guy working flip through 6ft of catalogs lol! (I can remember this from my dads business as well before they went computer). But that store was amazing, you could leave there with a mower deck belt and pulley for your 1977 Wheel horse tractor along with new brakes for xyz chevy/ford/dodge, didn't matter, they seemingly had it all!



It is an interesting dynamic, I would expect anyone on an RV forum to be astute enough to know how to search and find. But maybe its the "rich guys" that don't have any mechanical aptitude, so even if they did search and find the answer, they would have nothing to do with said information other than relay it to their mechanic, who likely just wants to bill for troubleshooting hours

Mike, that guy flipping through the multiple 6' rows of catalogs was me back in the mid-80's and something I got pretty proficient at. I had a unique process where I had certain colored small clipboards that I would stick in various catalogs as I was working on multiple searches for multiple customers at a time with all of my notes on each. I remember having a heated discussion with a coworker one time because he thought it was funny to move my clipboards around on me.

At the second parts store I worked at, I was allowed to organize catalogs myself during a store revamp and I had them arranged by stock parts in two rows and then another two rows on an adjacent countertop for performance catalogs all in alphabetical order. The stock catalogs were divided into systems, but the performance ones were alphabetical.

As far as expecting anyone on an RV forum to be astute enough to search Mike, I'm sorry to say that you would be very wrong, especially over the past 5 years. People got into RV's who really have NO idea of the systems associated nor how to even research makes and models. I pulled back on RV forums by late 2020 because the number of people who were buying RV's, motorcoaches in particular, that had done zero research and then asking some of the most ignorant and stupid questions flat blew my mind. Many didn't even know the options their coach had when they bought them and then had to ask how to use and what they did. I simply could not and still do not understand spending that kind of money and not even knowing what they have nor any idea of the subsystems. Things like Aqua-Hot for example, there must have been a dozen questions a month of people asking what "this button" does on their dash or galley panel and when they would get a response that was their Aqua-Hot boiler switch, they would ask what it was or what it did. Un-freak-in-believable.

I have removed myself from multiple RV forums almost completely due to the above behaviors. I got tired of answering the same questions over and over, plus having people reach out to me to simply answer their questions before doing ANY research or worse, just want to drop their coach off to me to fix it. Even though I explained I was trying to "help" others maintain their rigs and I was not in the business to fix their rigs, some people simply are under the philosophy that if they throw money at someone all their desires will be met. They don't like the answers at times that they need to do their own research and devise a plan to repair it themselves or source someone to do it for them.

 

[fouckhest]

LOL on the parts store topic, in the mid-80s, I was the kid tagging along with his dad happy to be able to come along and "help"

On RV topic, guess that's what I get for being an optimist/giving people the benefit of the doubt, but at the end of the day, it doesn't surprise me. The VW forum that at one point was one of the largest on the internet, suffered a very big demise b/c of keyboard warriors on both sides of the "wont research" and "sick of answering the same questions" which ***** in both regards, but its right in line with the "trophy generation/mentality" that we now live in....

 

[Xti04]

LOL on the parts store topic, in the mid-80s, I was the kid tagging along with his dad happy to be able to come along and "help"

On RV topic, guess that's what I get for being an optimist/giving people the benefit of the doubt, but at the end of the day, it doesn't surprise me. The VW forum that at one point was one of the largest on the internet, suffered a very big demise b/c of keyboard warriors on both sides of the "wont research" and "sick of answering the same questions" which ***** in both regards, but its right in line with the "trophy generation/mentality" that we now live in....

Nothing like reading 4 pages on a forum of some guy having the same issue as you only to get to the end and they never post the actual fix. I have researched lots of car issues as well as all sorts of other things and do my best not to throw out the same dumb questions that others have posted a thousand times. I remember using paper catalogs when I worked in an auto parts store in the early 2000s. Most of the younger guys I worked with couldnt navigate them but there was a wealth of info in there.

 

[rd65]

I still call online parts diagrams parts fische

 

[zmotorsports]

I still call online parts diagrams parts fische

When I first started mixing automotive paints in 1985 all of the formulas were on microfiche. It was actually kind of cool at the time.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Interesting question Eric. To some extent it depends on what we are planning for dinner. I've greatly reduced and changed my eating habits over the past 8 months or so and we're just "tweaking" what our new formula will look like going forward. Currently, when we plan on going out and having a bit larger meal for dinner, we will bring something like apples or crackers to eat w/peanut butter and then the wife packs baby carrots or celery for snacks while driving. When we don't really have any big plans for dinner, we will bring something more substantial such as sandwiches or something similar. We have a Yeti cooler that I strap in the back seat for our cold drinks with ice, but for snacks and lunch we have a small, insulated cooler with frozen containers for cooling that we carry along. Plus, we also pack a little "extra" for those just in case scenarios when we may get stranded or be on the trail longer than intended.


We have friends that put things like burritos or things that they want hot on their engines to keep warm and although this works, I've seen some leak and I just don't want stuff all over my engine. Back when we snowmobiled, we had warmer trays that strapped on the exhaust pipes to keep our lunches warm which worked well, but I think we're looking at something to carry inside the Jeep that plugs in to keep things warm such as an electric lunchbox, just haven't pulled the trigger on one yet. I did mention to the wife last fall that maybe when our grandson gets a bit older and the kids start coming with us more that we could throw our small Weber grill in and make a bit larger lunch and something that our grandson will remember as he gets older rather than just packed sandwiches. I think my son still remembers some of our lunch stops when we were sledding that were more outside the norm and after all, that's what it's all about, creating memories.

We're kind of the same when it comes for food at the track. Sometimes, it's just something to tide you over till you're done for the evening.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Question for you Mike as you're a Miller welder guy and been around them for a while. What are your thoughts on the older Miller Econotig welder 100A 220V unit ?


You can shoot me a PM if you want.

 

[zmotorsports]

Question for you Mike as you're a Miller welder guy and been around them for a while. What are your thoughts on the older Miller Econotig welder 100A 220V unit ?


You can shoot me a PM if you want.

Eric, the Econotig was an "ok" machine. I think for an entry level or hobbyist use it works, but if memory serves it was limited to a preset postflow timer that was a bit excessive for the vast majority of materials and had a lower duty cycle.

Personally, unless it was almost bring given away, I would suggest a 180 or 200 Synchrowave that is a much better machine. They don't have many of the advanced features that the newer inverter machines have and are a bit more hungry for current, but those old transformer machines are like the Energizer bunny and just keep going and going.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks Mike, that is what I wanted to hear.

I saw it on FBMP for $600, minus the foot pedal.

I have no idea on how to tig but thought it might be a decent entry level machine, but have a couple other $$ projects on the table right now.

 

[PugetDude]

Eric, I have a new Miller 180 Diversion TIG that humbles and embarrasses me every time I try to use it.
Learning TIG was one of my retirement goals, but it has eluded me so far.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Eric, I have a new Miller 180 Diversion TIG that humbles and embarrasses me every time I try to use it.
Learning TIG was one of my retirement goals, but it has eluded me so far.

Exactly, why I would prefer not to spend big money on a starter machine.

 

[zmotorsports]

The wife had a family deal Saturday morning so I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed out to the shop to get some maintenance completed on the Jeep seeing as how the weather was a bit chilly and I wasn't able to open the RV bay door to work on the generator.

The new clockspring for the Jeep arrived on Friday and I had gone down the hose clamp rabbit hole a couple of months ago while researching clamps for the coach, so while the Jeep was in the shop I figured I'd drain and refill the cooling system as well as install the new hose close clamps.

Removed the lower radiator hose to drain the coolant and swap over to the new Norma Torro hose clamps.


With the coolant drained, the lower radiator hose was ready for reinstallation.


Then the upper hose was removed and hose clamps were replaced. Torquing the clamps to spec.


Continuing to go around and torque all clamps to spec.


Lower hose clamps getting torqued.


I had removed the serpentine belt to inspect as well as to keep it out of the way of coolant getting on it, so now it was time to reinstall. If you don't have one of these belt tools in your arsenal, you need one. They sure make it nice to slip the belts around those hard to reach pulleys. I also cleaned the throttle body while the intake duct was removed.


The spring handle makes it easy to grip the belt.


Like this. Sorry, I don't have a part number as I looked. I think it is made by Gearwrench, but I cannot find any part #'s on it anywhere.


Before pulling a vacuum on the cooling system I though I'd exchange the power steering fluid as well by drawing out as much as I could from the reservoir.






More to follow...

 

[zmotorsports]

With the power steering reservoir siphoned, it was time to pull a vacuum on the cooling system to ensure there are no leaks.


@Xti04 , here is my 25+ year old AirLift cooling system vacuum/refill. Other than the crack in the gauge's plastic cover it is in perfect working condition even after all these years.


Vacuum pulled and valved off to ensure there are no leaks. Usually 15-20 minutes is more than adequate to test the system for leaks.


While the system was holding under vacuum I refilled the power steering fluid and cleaned the reservoir. I also need to order some more Swepco 715 power steering fluid as I used the last of my supply. Someone forgot to reorder.


After pulling fresh coolant into the system, the Air Lift was cleaned and put away for next time.


Cooling system full of fresh coolant. Probably a little overkill, but with aluminum radiators, I don't like to let coolant go for more than about 5 years/60k miles, even the OAT/HOAT coolants that state 10 year/100k mile. I won't let them go that long in standard radiators, let alone aluminum.


Engine bay buttoned up with throttle body cleaned, intake duct reinstalled and coolant surge tank filled.


Next it was time to turn my attention to the interior and replace the clockspring.


Airbag removed.


Steering shrouds cleaned and ready for reassembly.


Old clockspring removed and swapping over the turn signal and wiper stalks to the new one.



Stay tuned for a few more pictures.

 

[zmotorsports]

New clockspring installed and ready to reinstall the steering wheel and finish this job up.


Completed and back from the test drive.



Thanks for looking.

 

[WoodsTruck]

Mike,
Power Steering fluid change out: you are just replacing the fluid that is in the reservoir and not in the rest of the system?
I think I need to do that in my F150. I had to replace the rack and pump in my '08 when the contaminants ate itself up.

 

[zmotorsports]

Mike,
Power Steering fluid change out: you are just replacing the fluid that is in the reservoir and not in the rest of the system?
I think I need to do that in my F150. I had to replace the rack and pump in my '08 when the contaminants ate itself up.

Yes, I generally do this every other year on the Jeep. I will siphon fluid from the reservoir three times which usually takes about a full quart and gets the vast majority of the fluid. I have hydraulic assist on my Jeep, so this is quicker and less messy than disconnecting hydraulic lines on the hydraulic ram to do a full flush.

On my Duramax I do a flush and remove the return line from the hydroboost and have a long hose already made up that works perfectly for this process.

 

[rd65]

Eric, I have a new Miller 180 Diversion TIG that humbles and embarrasses me every time I try to use it.
Learning TIG was one of my retirement goals, but it has eluded me so far.

I took welding classes in high school, they had one wire feed machine that we did not get to use. T/A's and instructor only. I currently have a cheapy (Klutch) mig machine that I have used only a couple of times. My thought is that mig is kind of like arc welding, and tig more like gas welding - as far as certain technics go with filler rod, etc. Am I in the ballpark with this?

 

[zmotorsports]

I took welding classes in high school, they had one wire feed machine that we did not get to use. T/A's and instructor only. I currently have a cheapy (Klutch) mig machine that I have used only a couple of times. My thought is that mig is kind of like arc welding, and tig more like gas welding - as far as certain technics go with filler rod, etc. Am I in the ballpark with this?

Both MIG (SMAW/Shielded Metal Arc Welding) and TIG (GTAW/Gas Tungsten Arc Welding) are forms of electrical welding where they use a shielding gas to protect the weld rather than stick (SMAW/Shieleded Metal Arc Welding) welding. However, the process as far as forming a molten puddle and then adding filler material are very similar between TIG and oxy/acetylene gas welding, they require both hands, one holding the torch and the other feeding the filler.

In fact, when I first was attempting to learn to TIG weld, the guy assisting me recommended I go back and refine my gas welding before jumping right to TIG welding and it in fact did help a lot.

 

[zmotorsports]

Friday my Snap-on rep brought in my replacement LED flip light. The one I submitted for repair was the smaller one and it is no longer available, so rather than rebuild it, they just replaced it with a new one. However, it was the larger light that they sent as the replacement.



Plugged in to charge and hung under the cabinet.


My package from Belmetric also arrived Friday afternoon with a few different sizes of Norma Torro hose clamps. I want to get a few more sizes over time, but this is what I ordered last week.

 

[zmotorsports]

Started some routine maintenance on the Onan generator in our coach last night.

Removed covers and drained the coolant, then pulled the thermostat housing and a few pieces of ductwork so I can give the radiator a thorough cleaning.

 

[ntsqd]

........
In fact, when I first was attempting to learn to TIG weld, the guy assisting me recommended I go back and refine my gas welding before jumping right to TIG welding and it in fact did help a lot.

When I was starting people out in TIG welding (not sure that I'm qualified to call it 'teaching') I recommended the same thing. I also suggested that they first get the feel for running a bead without filler metal, and with the machine set so that they could run with the pedal floored. Carbon steel is really easy to boil with a TIG, I tried to get some scrap stainless for their first couple of pieces to weld on. That was before we knew much about hexavalent chromium.