Posted by Gypsy Jim (IP: 24.4.252.68) on December 27, 2000 at 07:37:43:
In Reply to: Need new z bar... posted by Arnold H. Lester Jr. on December 25, 2000 at 01:45:09:
Under heavy duty use, Z-bars have a tendancy to flex and fatique (crack). If it has cracked, be sure to do the following: 1) throughly clean the z-bar, 2)drill a 1/8" hole at the end of the crack to relieve the stress, 2) chamfer both edges of the crack 1/8", 3)put down multiple good beads in the crack area and work your way out with additional beads, 4) temper the weld by quenching it in an oil bath.
I see people welding stuff and putting it in water to cool. That makes the part very hard, but brittle and prone to cracks again. Letting it air cool makes it too soft and the z-bar will flex. Oil cooling gives the part both hardness and strength. NOTE: be sure to do this process out side or with proper ventilation.