I sure with I had one of THESE
http://www.eastwood.com/tig-welders-...dc-welder.html: It's on sale and there's a way to get another 10% off. But how much longer will I be able to use something like this?
Over the past few weeks, I've been working on a 2000 Softail for a girl in one of my HOG chapters. The balance assembly chain tensioners wore through (after 135,000 miles), the chain slipped and spun the crankshaft sprocket more than 180 degrees on the shaft.
I pulled the heads, jugs, pistons and then the whole motor out of the frame. Then, split the engine case. I was able to work the sprocket back around to where a new index tooth could be used to align the sprocket with the two balance wheel sprockets; but not sure that it would stay there for another 135,000 miles. Installed about $350 worth of new balancer assembly parts.
Some of the crankshaft service dealers offer TIG welding of the sprocket to the crank. But shipping alone would have cost $100! So I finally found a welder in town that did it for $25.00.
If I'd had this TIG welder, could have done it myself in 1/100th of the time it took to find the local welder that would touch it.
Anyone have any experience with this particular line of lightweight TIG welders?
Ken