Trent wrote:

Snake wrote:Trent....edge hits? Really? I thought a dude like you doesn't score 'no stinking edge hits'....here are some anecdotal factoids...our targets were plasma cut...the edges show surprising little problems....welds are a bigger issue....somebody I know hasn't been pre heating and stress relieving But Senor Trent, you are correct about laser or water jet being smoother...with no SPLINTERS..and I know you know about splinters

I like edge hits at your range. It's the best way to make sure those stubborn Rams fall over. And I'll take any hit I can get these days!

Oh, and I remember you being first in line to help pull that splinter out of my ass. I'm guessing you're from the wrong side of the river. ;)

Actually my ancestors are descendants of the other side of the ocean. And as I recall everybody wanted to watch the splinter removal and to know who was going to remove it....of course i wanted to help. ..a youtube video would have been very entertaining As far as edge hits go...we have very little damage there considering the age of most of those animals...the majority are over 10 years old

I spent a lot of time out at the range this past weekend while the wife was in FL visiting her mom. I brought home five pigs and two chickens for foot pad weld repair.(another one of those behind the scenes match director responsibilities) Our targets are pushing 25 plus years old and all have had some kind of weld repair. Naturally chickens and pigs see the most damage to the foot pads, turkeys and rams get stress cracks here and there.

During my breaks and some after work time today I fixed them up. Prior to Tig welding them I heavily sand blasted the legs to remove all the paint and as much lead residue as possible.Then the same treatment to all surfaces of the pad. I ground off excess old weld and clamped them square to be even with the other pad. Next was to put on a respirator. No matter how much sand blasting you do there will always be trapped lead contamination hiding somewhere in the metal. When hit with the flame it off gases instantly and leaves a tell tale sweet burnt smell and a coating of orange brown lead oxide all around your weld bead. I also had a small fan pushing the fumes away from me.

http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtrainin ... dhlth.html



Now we got seven happy animals ready for more punishment.

I wish I had thought about the lead before I repair welded up three animals a couple weeks ago. Oh well, it was nice knowing you guys.

Trent wrote:I wish I had thought about the lead before I repair welded up three animals a couple weeks ago. Oh well, it was nice knowing you guys.

I suspect there are other things he needs to share...

Bob, thanks for adding the photo to your post. A couple weeks ago I welded up a few animals and after I was done my throat almost closed up and my voice sounded like I had breathed in a small amount of helium. I'll never make that mistake again. I had cleaned the weld area up really well with a wire brush but in retrospect I see that was inadequate.

Your welcome, Trent.

There must be 50 odd hits in that leg photo alone. I filled in several craters just in the weld. If shooters would simply keep their hits in the center, like me, a guy would not have to be subjected to this hazardous welding task so often.

Bob - anyone can hit em in the middle. Where's the fun in that? It takes a confident marksman to shoot the edges!

I'm thinkin the ear of the pig should be easy to fix so aim there. With Bob's talent he could just cut the old one off and stick on a new one. That would save a lit of dent repair.