Mini Excavator Bucket Repairs

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Buy some Merch here! You might win a welder! Meltinmetal.com

[@luffyhideto2904]

Bro, are u gouging without air compressor?? I see when u gouging, thats not gouging handlebar 😅😅, correct if IM wrong 🙏😅

[@arustydodge2111]

I dig your field repairs, Anthony! You always keep it REAL! Thank you for bringing to the forefront, PPE! Extremely important. At 62 now, horrible tinnitus! Back then, didn’t worry about it. Now, Left ear hearing almost gone! Always wore eye protection, and a good set of sleeves or jacket, but never wore ear protection or mask. Got one set of eyes, ears and lungs. Take care of them NOW! Thank you! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🙏⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

I love the ICWeld mention! Also I am happy you are talking about the PPE, I have pretty bad tinnitus as well but from other kinds of sound exposure. If it gets bad enough there are hearing aids that have blue tooth and you can play your own life soundtrack to help drown out the ringing. Love your work and I am glad you moved to MT we need more people like yourself.

[@WeirdScienceTime]

Getting into welding I've been watching a lot of videos. Yours are the best for showing what a solo welder in the field does daily. Thanks!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Doing my best! Glad you enjoy them

[@rockywilson750]

Yessir.. No manual for real world field repair.. Shout out to ICWeld..

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Love Issac!

[@JonDingle]

The only thing l would do different is burn a 6010 hole through the end of each crack to terminate the cracks. But that's how l would do it. Bucket cracks can be tricky to get neat because very often muck, stone and concrete gets inbetween the layers of steel. Also, until you start doing buckets and plant repairs you won't fully appreciate the work, tools and skills required to make a great job. Top stuff young man!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks Jon as always! On the next one I will try it. I have been doing it this way for awhile now with good results but I will try your way next time I do crack repair and try to get a video! Hope to see your comment on that one!

[@JonDingle]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony l follow you on IG and YT so will be watching. I gave up drilling holes at the end of cracks when l had a crack job on a heavy bucket. I just cranked up the amps, and jambed a 6010 straight through like red hot needle through a rubber boot. I think it does a better job too because it alters the structure of the steel at the end of the crack rather than a clean drill hole. Just my way but give it a try. Best regards!

[@robertoobregon3750]

Those gouging rods look like the old red 6010, then just turn up the juice.

[@Reaperofwind]

Tinnitus, welcome to the club. Ear phones are the number one cause. Loud volume.

[@FishFind3000]

It’s not a club you want to be a part of. Everybody bitches if you actually try to be safe and try to help others from ruining their lives but some people just don't understand until it’s to late.

[@i8764theKevassitant]

I noticed I'd get bad headaches and ringing after work from hearing and using grinders all day. And when it reverberates through a steel sheet it's not something you wanna expose yourself to.

[@FishFind3000]

@@i8764theKevassitant that's why I was happy to get a cordless band saw for small projects at home. Much quieter, less vibration, and no hot sparks which always find there way into burning spots into my glasses. Plus the cleanup is easier as the mess stays more contained. You also don't get the super fine dust that grinding puts into the air. Wear a respirator so you don't end up with the black boogers.

[@i8764theKevassitant]

@FishFind3000 we've got a badass Milwaukee that never has blades 😔. If I can recommend any hearing protection I'd say the soundcore liberty pro 3 or 4. It has a low pass sound filter so you can hear voices but hard noises are super muffled. The shop speaker goes from full music to a capella in a second. They're amazing and have noticeably improved the damage I had done before using them.

[@Trynx14]

It’s no joke I’m 21 an I have tinnitus both ears I wouldn’t wish this on anyone it is straight up torture. I can’t say it gets better but you get use to it I guess

[@santinomirizzi4589]

Like how your showing all the different rods your using. Nice seeing what other people are using!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Made the switch to Rockmount! Don’t think I’ll ever go back

[@Shieldbot_]

I just started my second week in welding school. I find your videos to be a blessing. you really show how it is in the real world. keeps me motivated to do my best and make it work. awesome video

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Awesome man glad to hear it!

[@richardvillanueva559]

What are you focusing on fab or structural/pipe

[@Shieldbot_]

@@richardvillanueva559 i have since graduated my 1 year long welding program in a 3rd of the time. I’m currently working in a custom fab/repair shop. I’d like to do pipeline, just haven’t decided if i want to do tig or stick pipe. I already have my own weldin rig with most of the stuff to start. No one wants to hire an 18 year old fresh out of school regardless of experience

[@logenanderson5825]

Never knew about gouging without air. I'm gonna give these a try for sure.

[@cmdonespice]

Lmao! You can hear that poor miller hatin life in the background.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

🤣 yes you can

[@theabsentmindedprofessor8357]

One of God's gifts to welders is the deburing carbide tool, that thing can cut through just about anything in a tight spot.

[@hubertrobinson8825]

Good job on the bucket its nice to have wildlife in your frontyard too

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Love it here

[@1nvisible1]

*Pronghorn pretty to look at but also delicious. Like steel, keeping them cool while you dress pronghorn is very impt.*

[@bolognabowl]

PPE is key man. For being a small business owner and putting that first says a lot. Well done sir.

[@sparksmobilerepair4025]

Put some carpet in your tool boxes. Works to protect your tools from bumpy roads and also keeps them from sliding around like crazy. Old timer showed me that trick and has been fantastic really extends the life of tools in road boxes.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Great advice I’ll look for some or use whatever’s left when I do that in the houee

[@sparksmobilerepair4025]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony yea most carpet places have cutt off that they throw out I get free from them. Or if you do carpet in your house that works too. When it gets real dirty just throw it out but that takes years.

[@nikspanakis]

Good advice. And air tools are also sensitive to humidity. Squirting some extra oil and working for a sec before storage helps.

[@soundman6645]

it's worth spending the money on marine carpet. If you glue it in you can wash it where it is. If you don't glue it in, you can pull it out, beat it on the fence and wash it by what ever means you like. carpet not only looks after your tools but it quietens your truck down for a calmer ride. rubber matting is also a good option.

[@richardkawucha1232]

Always found an air arc gouge works great. It blows the molten metal out of the way with minimal grinding (if you know how to use one). Did a repair on the oil channel of a stamping plant die table. The foreman wanted me to use a torch. Could have done it, but with the arc gouge I had it all cut off and ready for the new one in a matter of minutes.

[@BruceLyeg]

Nice work. In my experience on jobs like this the customer doesn't care how it's done, how it looks and quite often, how much it costs. They do care about how long it will last and how fast you can get it done

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Well said!

[@woodartist2021]

Well done repair, Anothony! I like the fact you didn’t spare the rods, and did a full fill on each gouged area. I’m considering those Rockmount rods for my Bobcat 260 efi. Seeing the antelope was a hoot, thanks for including that footage.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Always make the repair right! Thanks for watching

[@harrold901]

Yes sir! That ringing can cause long term issues. Thanks for mentioning that!

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Gotta make these youngins aware

[@billbray5995]

MMA, thanks for showing the Tartan B and Polaris A rods. Super good welding rods. Great video as always.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thank you sir!

[@Oklahoma75]

Love the channel Anthony. Thx for sharing. I’m a new hobby welder. Learning a lot watching. Take care!

[@JohnWheels]

Hey Brother! I'm so glad you decided to start wearing earplugs. I never used to because they always fell out or hurt and now I get that ringing every once in a while. I found that the "honeywell trustfit pods" are super comfortable and don't come out. You can wash them too and get the string to attach them if u want to hang them on your neck. Great repair! I'll have to try those rods!

[@buddylouis8348]

I just bought the optrel helmet and papr due to reoccurring throat ulsers, which after 5 months, found was being caused by the flux core wire i use. After using the new setup i can't believe how nice it is, and the vision with the crystal 2 is great. I can run straight beads again.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I can’t wait to get there parp system!

[@williamgleaves1954]

THe raw unpeened weld when it cools is left in a state of tension, and the peening changes that so that the surface of the weld is now in compression and much less likely to crack as the loads on it will be lower than the raw weld in tension.

[@mcfwelding]

Good ole bucket repair, might have to pick up some of those gouging rods. The gouge tip for the cutting torch RIPS through gas

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

No doubt

[@byPetra]

You really should get a PAPR helmet Anthony, every welder should have one.

[@larryvollmar8763]

Wife & I started watching this video and immediately noticed background. So beautiful. As for needle scaler Northern Tool sells an attachment for your air hammer that makes it a needle scaler. @icweld uses one.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I’m gonna mail one! Love Montana

[@Gus1966-c9o]

I do like Isaacs “ this is not how to do it , it’s how I do it “!

[@donsmith9081]

Unfortunately a lot of us don't listen to other people (me included) and have to learn the hard way- I have the ear ringing and asthma. Ever since noticing, I have switched to wearing ear plugs and a respirator-religiously and try to give the same advice to others that was given to me.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Me too, unfortunately we had to learn that way. But maybe we can save a few young people with this video and comments

[@donsmith9081]

@@MeltinMetalAnthony We can try but if they are anything like us, well.......

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

KNUCKLE HEADS ARE WHAT YOU ARE CALLED. SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

[@Justforfun-ek7et]

Also got my sticker and my trucker hat to rep MMA! Appreciate you brother!

[@francodeiuliis1562]

Nice job Wish I could get those rods here Cheers from Nova Scotia

[@MOAONAABE]

hazardous noise is real. from the engine rooms to the chainsaw. ear mufflers. even the hammer on an anvil,

[@Uromastyxfanatics]

awsome video brother. had an incident recently involving my pubes and a wire wheel (self explanatory), looking forward to getting back at it. Thanks for the inspiration

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

🤣 jeez bud! Hope you heal quick!

[@whatsnextgarage]

Hey Rockstar, Who the hell leaves a good customer base, moves 1500+ miles away and develops, from scratch, a new customer base all the while building a house, filming and editing plus e-commerce! You are rockin that American dream! Antelope!! Damn plus you're runnin a zoo🤣🤣

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Lmao I’m doing my best Dave! Not easy some days!

[@610demonkey]

I have done some research because my father with ptsd has tinnitus. I found some studies that link it to anxiety. The long and short of it is supposedly the more you focus/worry about the ringing, the more your brain will amplify it. Hope this helps.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I believe that. I think it’s the same with other conditions too.

[@WelderB1Family]

Love the quality of the videos these days MMA! The level up is real 💯🔥🤙🏿👨🏾‍🏭💰

[@iago_gtaw]

I love your vídeos brother, tanks for share your experience for us

[@brothyr]

there's a welder who fixes some stuff for the scrapyard I work at. The first time I saw him, the boss was yelling right at him. I thought he fucked up big. No, just deaf. As with most deaf people, deep voices are the worst to hear. Stick welding doesn't seem loud but it is a very sharp noise and will cut your hearing in time. To cover up the tinnitus, try some light background noise like a fan or a white noise machine/video.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Gonna try a few different options and report what I find

[@allanmccullough8550]

Enough ass is very important in the welding trade.

[@terrycapehart6303]

Lol😅 you are a hard working man, have a blessed day América

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

You too sir

[@ThaxtonFabrication]

Im just getting my mobile welding buisness going and look forward too your videos its nice to see what someone else is working on how they operate. Thank you for sharing your videos and knowledge. Keep burnin rod brother. Ohh and that gouging rod is badass ima pick some up. Thanks man

[@jackdaniel9213]

That has to be the wrist gauging I’ve ever witnessed 😂

[@toprankintv9122]

How so?? Pretty sure he said there’s no code to what he’s doing…it’s not pipe or structural welding.

[@reedsmetalworks6664]

From my experience, especially with air hammers and needle scalers always run the thinnest oil you can to lubricate them.When they bind up like that try running some brake cleaner through them to clean them out.Once they free up lubricate iit with the thinnest oil possible.Hope this helps.Learned this trick from a Cornwell tool dealer many years ago.Anyways great video as always

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I’ll try it on the needle scaler, I am using ingersol rand oil

[@reedsmetalworks6664]

Don't be afraid to slam the air hammer or needle scaler on a block of wood either to try and free it up.

[@garretr4488]

If those tips fail, often they’re not too hard to open up and service

[@metalman6708]

3M makes these overhead Bluetooth earmuffs. They're called WorkTunes.

[@ejsabcs2329]

Easy money!! Great work.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks!

[@marioserra4383]

Good Job Anthony, best regards from Venezuela

[@paulg5900]

Curious why you dont ever run a suitcase welder? Some big diameter fluxcore could fill these gaps faster.

[@lefty1999]

your wire wheel is running out of wire ... good job as usual Anthony

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Gotta get my money worth🤣

[@badjeepman]

Seems to me like the governor reaction is a little slow on your machine, love your videos!

[@johndorazio3759]

Welcome to the club ringing just gets worse

[@jarrengabaldon]

Ive found that those needle scalers are an exception and i never oil and when they sieze up like that just hold the trigger down and jam the needles into the steel and it should start working again

[@Jacobo_fab_repair]

Optrel hoods are the best

[@farteater6969]

I worked at Cat making 7495 shovels, 6090, and 6120 excavators. Installing the wear pads on some of the buckets we built was an absolute nightmare. This one is cute tho

[@aidanlamborne]

I run 1/8” 5p+ under 80 all the time to be honest. I’m also a pipe welder. I’ll rarely crank it past 90 to punch through something.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I get so many comments saying you cant, while I’m doing it…. On camera 😂

[@antonioromano6011]

Take the needle scaler apart and clean it mine does the same thing just needs cleaned!

[@GatorGreenGladiator]

Nice view from the office.😂

[@i8764theKevassitant]

I imagine peening helps stressed atomic crystal structure boundries fall into a more relaxed crystal arrangement.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Makes sense!

[@derekbryant6137]

Umm I would like to recommend the needle scaler attachment I use it's made by Ingersoll rand it's their edge series cartridge it fits any medium or long barrel airhammer with a standard 0.401 bore. They work great they are about 90 bucks

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

I GET TO LAUGH AT THE END. GFY. GREAT JOB ,LIVIN THE DREAM. I PUT OLD TOWELS SHIRTS, BATH ROBE IN BETWEEN MY TOOLS SAVES THEM. TRY IT

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I’ll give it a shot!

[@cheeseymccheese7249]

Spend the extra money and get molded earl plugs. Might be 100 bucks but they last forever and they are the best fit you can get. I got mine 10+years ago and wear them almost every day. I have server tinnitus. Fan on in the bedroom 24/7

[@cheeseymccheese7249]

And if you dont like them, you can GFY lol Cheers bud

[@joehighsmith2951]

Thanks for posting

[@damianLsmith]

Tight work using the grey filters and not the pink. We can get several 12 hr shifts with the grey filters. I’ve hoarder all the ones I could get after our company was sold and the new owners not spending the extra money for them. AND real welders use Matabos! We use sigma greens to grind anything. Got about 100 stashed at the house for when I go mobile.. and I’m in Lakeland. Not far from Tampa

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

People think they are dirty lol no it’s just the appropriate filter!

[@mrsk8terforlife11]

Just now getting it 😂😂 damn I’m only 26 and I’ve had it for years

[@justintasht1067]

Great video cool repair you make it look so easy. It’s mad how the buckets crack like that. Look forward to the next video 👍👍

[@catsypendie1852]

Why dont you move the bucket to suit yourself so your welding straight down

[@timothyparrucci809]

Been doing structural for a couple years. I'm 22, I wanna move into the repair world, my question is what kind of companies do this kind of work? I figured the best way to get experience doing this would be to work for someone wrist, I just don't know what kind of company to look for

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Construction company. Underground, paving,trucking etc. Reach out and talk to people. Stop by some company's. Most people will freely talk. Some won't depends on where you live too.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Pretty much what this guy says

[@jtoker9758]

Ear and eye protection is no joke. I do plumbing/pipe fitting and was at a factory doing some install work. An electrician at the factory told me he lost all hearing in one ear. He was doing work at the house on a planer and wasn't using any hearing protection. Said he heard a loud pop and then nothing. Said the nerve died completely and was no fixing it. Said he can hear like a white static noise in that ear, but his sinuses was fucked up ever since and I could just tell the pain it was causing him from just him telling me all this. I don't know what happened to that dude, but he was a really good guy, but it sounded like he might do something eventually to end the torment of not being able to hear. Hopefully he doesn't ever do it, but damn that is some shit to have to live with. Dude was probably in his 50s. There really ain't anything more badass than being safe.

[@OffGrit]

Just heard you on a podcast... Good stuff

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

🇺🇸🫡

[@jamiemckendry8035]

8018 for crack repairs or Eagle 823xs welding rod.... The nickel in those rods make the difference.

[@Sneekwelding]

I’m a new welder here and just curious why you used stick over mig

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Deeper penetration. Easier for me. I do both Depending on situation

[@charliehumber6383]

Another good vid, thanks. Can you let me know what diameter gouging rod you started out with here, much appreciated 👍

[@chikewaa]

you're just now getting the ringing in your ears? damn boi your shit held out pretty good!

[@soundman6645]

with that air scaler and other air tools. If they are playing up and won't start. First and often effective option is to dump a lot of oil down the air connection and hook it up to air and give it a strong shake and a couple of taps with a hammer or on the side of the bench. If it runs, it runs .... it's gona piss oil everwhere for a while ... but it runs. . often what happens is the veins in the motor retract ( vibration rough roads) and air goes straight thru, ya just have to get one vein to catch air and the motor will spin again. . Many time I have had tools come to me because they don't run, THIS method works most of the time. . Unless you are running an in line oiler, make sure you oil enough and regularly..... so many tools just don't get oiled enough. . With my air tools, every now and then I put a big dose of oil in and let the tool run till it stops pissing oil. This makes sure oil gets everywhere it should and washes out any dust or wear particles out of the tool. . remember too there are other parts of the tool than the motor that need oil or grease.

[@hammie2789]

what do you tend to charge for this type of field work? and how do you break it down for billing?

[@zato0]

try drillin holes at the end of cracks

[@mk27wrx]

good job bro , like putting lip stick on a pig... long as welds hold..

[@willddevine7]

Since you’re out of Florida, could you do a video on how to get started there, and what you would recommend if you were young Anthony starting again

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Tenacity. That is what got him where he is. Never give up, always keep learning and networking..no excuses

[@CarlosMorales-jd5hb]

Love your videos Manny

[@DaytonaJim78]

Thanks!

[@JohnSmith-lv8xk]

Could you give an example of what rod you use for a particular situation, I first became aware of Rockmount from Peter Zila but have paid more attention since watching your videos.

[@IHav2BlackCats]

Ive been using Radians Custom Molded Earplugs whenever i want ear protection for concerts or loud stuff at work or at home. They mold right to your inner ear shape and are super comfortable. Give them a few minutes to warm up though, they block just a bit more once warmed up by your ear. My goal within a few years is to get through the whole process of getting some jh audio ear plugs made up. But supposedly you have to get a doctors appointment to get you inner ear mold done, then send it to them and they keep it on file so they can just whip one up if you lose or break your other ones. Or keep multiple pairs. These are the people that make the majority of music related peoples inner ear monitors so they can block noise pollution and focus on what they want to hear aka themselves or maybe some other instrument so they keep their own timing, im not 100% sure because im not in that world. I have been close to some large firearms going off without ear protection and i did not like the ringing and decided early on i dont want to deal with that. So for the past 10 years or more ive been keeping them covered as often as possible and have had some people notice my hearing was really good.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Right on, my wife was telling me about those. I may have to make the investment for us considering she films the videos

[@soundman6645]

Your hearing is not "really good", it is the way it should be and they way everybody else should be. Because you care for your hearing, you have the benifits.

[@austinkissling9036]

earplugs are a must! less you end up yelling... what!?!?!

[@kylekramer4235]

Nice job buddy

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks 👍

[@ryancrazy1]

interesting how much you do with a 3/32 i just getting into welding and figured you'd use a 1/8 for something like this

[@zachtaylor8309]

So do those gouging rods not require air? Do you just use a regular stinger?

[@scrapperstacker8629]

Question? When you have a crack or break in a bucket like that. Should you try to hammer or press it closed, or just treat it like a open root weld? Legitimate question not trying to start an argument.

[@shawnmsattler2116]

Good vids MMA, the welder and your ears need help. I have ringing too, loud Machines and impact tools are loud enough, protect your hearing bud, I saw the buds off your ears while the machine was going.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

I know, still trying to get used to putting them in. Have to pop them out to talk or I don’t sound as fluent

[@aaronbrown3573]

He's been melting metal and pumping iron.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

💪🇺🇸

[@kd5lpr]

Question, I was told by my old welding instructor that gouging is hard on the welding machines, not sure if that's true or not, but if it is, does it make a difference in your price on what you charge to do the job, and do you ever have problems with your machine?

[@alanmurphy1510]

Are you heading from left to right or right to left

[@theabsentmindedprofessor8357]

It is a basic stress relief for the weld , not nessaraly the whole part just the weld.

[@soundman6645]

I know I'm a bit greedy with the posts today but. Shutting up the job can dramatuicly reduce the noise. putting something soft and heavy under or ontop of the job can shut up the ringing big time. something soft and heavy under the job can reduce coupling to the floor slab, the bench top or the truck bed. That pallet you have that bucket on will be reducing noise. . a heavy rubber mat can have many usees wooden blocks or even a pile of sand. anything to add weight or reduce transmission

[@CM_Weld]

Solid work brotha 🤘🏻

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thank you sir!

[@coolasice2187]

Great tips and video.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheUltraBeast1]

What respirator do you wear? I'm getting a new one but I've only ever had this 3m one I wear for grinding rust and shit off I never wear while welding

[@syelane1161]

I'd be using 7018 on something that's going to take wear and tear instead of 6010. These repairs wont last long.

[@jasons8303]

What kind of rod did you use

[@George88889]

Who else loves to hear an engine drive load right up?!

[@juliusspartacus5437]

I appreciate your candor always, and I'm sure that those criticizing your methods aren't qualified to do so. Armchair quarterbacks are in the armchair for a reason.

[@MeltinMetalAnthony]

Well said!

[@rickrunyon5086]

It's your job run it like you want. F'em