Two ratchet straps (or x1 long one) off a stout tree branch, preferably an horizontal one, would be a quick fix to replace the spindle
Not knowing the first (or any other) thing about welding, does the inverter type ‘un-weld’ what a normal welder does?
Ratchet straps that brings back memories , I used straps from the garage rafters when changing the rear shock on my Street Triple...
@Duckadiledundee for best advice you need to state what your likely tasks with the welder will be? A newby welding a 1.6mm mudguard for example with a cheap stick (MMA) welder, inverter or not, would not be pretty or particularly strong
I would steer clear of MMA welder for doing bike stuff, the arc is fairly fierce and is great at making large holes in thin metal. A MIG welder is a better option or if funds will allow got for a TIG welder a very versatile piece of kit for frames and exhausts etc
I have an ac/dc TIG which will weld any metal. These cost a bit so not probably within the scope of this discussion. A small dc only TIG will do anything but Ali and is significantly cheaper and a viable option for you. With gas you have a means (with practice) to do thin section finer projects. Swap the leads and without gas you have a stick (MMA) set which with 2.5mm rods will have a reasonable duty cycle (@ about 80 - 90 amps) and be very capable for gates, tractors and trailers etc.
I love all this man talk. I only ever get to hear about TCP/IP protocols, bit rates and Cloud architectures. I almost feel confident enough to wear a pair of greasy dungarees and have a tattoo of Muva written on my knuckles.
I have done very little Alu welding with TIG but made a career of welding with TIG, MIG MMA and my favourite has always been TIG welding pipes I love it you can create beautiful welds
Something like this would be a good starting point. https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/tig-welder-240v-dc-160amp/ I have no connection to this company but can vouch for the warranty as i have one of their plasma cutters. Phoned them up, agreed return which they organised and paid for. One week turnaround and returned repaired.
Its not just heat changes as such but often the oxides formed as a result and yes the colours are amazing. Usually this is in the form of a heat affected zone (HAZ) running parallel on both sides to the weld bead.
Is that how they made Damascus steel, with a 160A MIG/TIG Inverter AC/DC thingamy bob? Bloody clever those Arabs in 900AD...
That’s more how the Japanese sword smiths forge Katana and the like. Actually many of the Damascus forging techniques have been lost as they didn’t get passed down. Interestingly with 3-D metallic printing and AI design, it will be possible to make some really complex metallic structures based on bone and other natural formations etc that will be light but v strong... Edit: and not possible to make using other techniques - I think the call it Generative technologies. Bloody clever.
@Cyborgbot have a read up on PVD (physical vapor deposition)? The technique can gold plate for example different substrates such as plastic and still retain flexibility without cracking. Thin plating to make something harder wearing or with alternative properties to the base materials opens lots of doors for possibilities
