Front End Loader Bucket Repairs. (Pt.1) 

Re the welder settings mate... The one on the left is your current ranges. The one on the right sets the fine adjust current and voltage. So for soft arc you want to have the range set low and then dial up the fine adjust to get as high a voltage as possible at the right current. So if you wanted 190A, you'd set the range to 100 and the fine adjust to 90. If you want it to dig in, set the range to 150 and the fine adjust to 40. Same current setting, different voltages. So different arc characteristics.

My Pops always taught me "Moose, when you learn something, it is going to cost you time, money or a piece of skin..." So glad this lesson was only the cost of a new sling! Great cutting and welding Isaac!

Life is full of lessons and learning. Some are painful. The lifting strap breaking was a teaching moment. Glad you will learn from this and your okay. Love your channel!

You are surgeon precise on your cuts with your torches man. Most don’t realize the level of skill it takes to be even semi accurate with a plasma torch. Thank you for sharing your talents man.

Air Arc horror story: stuck the rod, copper burned off. We just pulled 'em and whacked them down to new copper. Working on a railroad car. Did the aforementioned....then repositioned myself to resume the task. Paid no attention to where the glowing red piece of carbon landed. Planted my shin squarely on the glowing carbon! It fused itself in my shin. I squealed in pain!!! Straight thru my pants into the bone. Pulled up my pants leg.....OMG....the only thing nearby was my chipping hammer, and i dislodged it from my leg with it. The heat caurtarized the wound, no blood, only burnt skin...but I still have a 1/4" indentation in my shin. Fresh outta welding school.

So glad to see your still out there. I really like watching your work. Cant wait for more to be posted..

And another tip is use a hunk of round stock or pipe where the bucket pins go for rolling. It saves on marring up the bores and evidently lifting slings too😅 glad that nothing got damaged and you didnt get hurt.

I’m glad your safe. That could’ve really been bad if it broke towards your direction with you in the path of the falling bucket. 😮

To answer your question, the left dial is to set the amp range and the right dial is the fine adjustment. If youre needing 150 amp use the left dial to select it to be in the 150-200 range rather than the100-150 and maxing the fine tune. Not sure what the amp ranges are on your machine but hope that example helps? Thats just what ive always done and i just think its makes it a little easier on the machine.

It's not until you start working on construction machinery, their attachments, quarry equipment and such like that you not only understand the challenges in cutting in welding the stuff but you have the cuts, burns, bruise's and mistakes to your name that teach you the lessons over time. And of course, the learning curve is steep, very steep. Isaac makes it look easy, trust me, his skills have taken decades to get that good. Another great build and video. P.S. Good job that strap didn't snap when you were pushing the bucket. Otherwise you might have kicked the bucket so to speak!

Definitely an eye opening pucker moment! Glad it was a "lesson learned" rather than "hospital bill earned"!!! It's mesmerizing watching you work with thick metal. Makes me want to spend more time with my torch and add a few tools!!! Love it!

You are a skilled surgeon. Thanks for taking the time to explain what you do.

It's amazing how all that dirt gets into places you won't expect! Good video and nice torch! Thanks again for another one.

Me: My circular metal saw cuts a smooth line in my 1/2” scrap metal stand for my bench vise. IC Weld: Hold my torch my friend…. Just wow with those torch skills. I know its experience that guides you. I have tried to use your advice in the few projects I’ve done and your wisdom has helped. I’m glad you take the time to film and edit and post. I’ve filmed some things and It’s so annoying to look at how much time it takes to set that stuff up. Let alone edit. You and CEE in AUS are my goto thick metal welders. Both are awesome with different applications. Cheers. !!

"Just like that" when it looks like a dang machine cut it. You're a freaking artiste with a torch man.

Regarding the SA-200, say you want to weld at 100 amps. Set the left dial to the 80 - 130 range. That's a range or difference of 50 amps. The right dial is a percentage of the left dial regardless of what range or gear the left dial is in. Set the right dial to 40. 50 amps x .40 = 20 amps. 80 amps on the left dial plus 20 amps on the right gives you the 100 amps you want to weld with. Sorry if I made this complicated. Hope this helps.

just to help you out, the leading edge of a loaded bucket you're about to cut out and replace is called a Mold Board, the holes are for a bolt-on cutting edge or teeth and cutting edge segments

As always, thanks for sharing the journey with us and sharing your thoughts and processes

Love seeing the approach to problem solving. I don't weld anything so complex or large, but I learn something every video. When I saw you flipping the bucket I was thinking "wonder why he didn't use a chain?"

Nice work! Glad nothing or nobody was hurt. We all are reminded of safety first! Thanks for posting and look forward to Pt. 2. Take care!

I have built a lot of these buckets when I worked for Caterpillar in Wamego Ks. It’s interesting to see the bucket worn out from use. Watching you roll that bucket over was gnarly. We used 2 hoists for a safe rig and roll. Good fix on the bottom wear plate.

“this one is going to be a little difficult” and then Issac cuts it off with the precision of a surgeon!

A man and his torch!

Years ago I picked up an OLD Lincoln book on welding at a garage sale, and it talked about arc gouging as an "obsolete" process that nobody used anymore. Yet, all you youtube welding masters use it. I'm talking 1960's vintage book...

Isaac glad you had that ply covering you as there was a real lava flow coming off the bucket , as per usual your commentary was fantastic and easy to follow, you are an absolute master at your trade all the best from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺

Having been a pilot for 38 years, more than once I've said "What doesn't kills us, we learn from". Glad you just had a near-miss, great video!

You give a new meaning to the words HOT PLATE!

Most shop dirt on floor is steel grindings, shavings, cuttings etc. A bar magnet on wheels will get most of it. Afterwards, just hold it over the garbage can and turn the magnet off. Everything just drops in the can. Saw that here somewhere on You Tube.

thank heaven there are people on earth that are as good as what you do.

Nice to see back making videos

Experience is knowing where to stand when your in a hurry or pushing the envelope. Most of the carbon arc gouging we do is with 1/2" rods and a good light show from 40 plus feet in the air. I love seeing it when we have 3 or 4 operations going on at the same time at night. I like watching your torch work the most.

I so enjoy watching you approach a job and plan, you have a huge amount of knowledge to pass on. Your skills are remarkable. I am glad that the strap breaking didn't result in an injury. Like everyone else we look forward to your next post, I only wish you were able to post more often.

wow, that was close, chains,, very nice work.

After the time I've spent lifting and moving heavy equipment and implements around since I was about 21... I tend to use 2x the straps, and put friction pads under everything, especially on awkward loads. That is, of course, if you don't have the option to utilize chains to lift with. 'usually' with the proper chains, you are relatively safe in a lifting operation.

Hello from Alabama my friend I love your videos.

You make this stuff look easy! And darn you for the cliffhanger. 😎

So glad no one was in the way when that strap let go. Great job on the repair so far.

Having performed a lot of this type of work, your tutorial is fantastic. Your work is beyond good. Stay safe!!!

Amazing torch work! The Olympic opening ceremony has nothing on you, my friend!

Isaac, the last comment was priceless! Learn something every day! Thanks for taking us along.

Your torch work Isaac is just excellent - much experience but great to watch :)

Dios mío , tiempo que no te veía. Saludos buen hombre... Me gustan tus videos. Dios te bendiga

Please detail supplies used. As is this mig/gas. Dual shield. Size of wire. Pattern of weld. Amperage or voltage and wire speed. Best I ever watched with any cutting tool. Really appreciate the way you teach. Should be a welding instructor in a large school.

The heel pads, in my experience(as a MRF skidsteer operator), come from solid rubber tired machines having the tires run way low. When the tires are in good, not near end of life, hitting that part of the bucket on the ground is near impossible. As the tires wear out, that part of the bucket hits the ground as you tip the cutting edge to the floor if the arms are sitting on the stops.

Holy cow, that could have been the end. But, you already know that. Nice job, so far!!!

You are the godfather of the welding world. Your knowledge is exemplary! Keep up the excellent jobs!

Good way to test those new welds at the end 🙂 Another great video. Stay safe out there.

Man, he is an artist with an OA torch. I can hack up steel with a torch but when you watch someone who really has command of it, it’s impressive how much precision is possible

Thank you Isaac. You do magic with every kind of torch. If I were a rich man I would have a plasma torch😊😊😊.

Alright!!Coffees on!!Cheers!;-)!!

Your torch skills are awesome makes my jaw drop when I see some of the things you free hand

For a short period, I thought I was watching a utube video of me back in the mid 70s. But utube wasn't a thing then. Great job.

Glad that was only a lesson and you did not get hurt. Thanks for the videos. I really enjoy them and I usually learn something everytime as well.

If we don't make mistakes, we will never learn! If we see a mistake happen we all learn! Thank you IC...

Sheesh! Sharp edges on those bucket-pin holes, that's why I was taught to always use chains on anything with edges that weren't rounded over.

Thank you very much for teaching, very good work, even safety is important when turning the shovel. I use two chain hoists distributed on the shovel, raise one while the other lowers so you can safely turn it.

Always enjoy watching the master at work. Thanks

Few people work everyday around things that could kill or maim them-in an instant. None of us are immune from mistakes in the name of convenience or hurrying.

I can barely solder but, after watching your videos, I am confidant that I can now do the same repair work as you. Now, where's my Dremel and soldering iron ?? ( HA !! )

Geez Isaac!.. Glad that strap didn't let 10 seconds earlier!

I would move to texas to be this mans apprentice. Skillful and thoughtful. Great work!

Love that very last comment you made, lol

Nice job on the welding. You did such a great job enjoying seeing the next project.

Be safe sir, there are people who love you.

We all get a little careless sometimes human nature I guess but no one got hurt that's the good part I'm already waiting for part 2

I'm so glad I retired and don't have to deal with this anymore! Now I can sit back with a cold German beer in the air-conditioning on these hot days!

Hi my name is Lenny. I’ve been welding for 35 years. My specialty is welding on heavy equipment whenever I weld a big plate on the bottom of a bucket. I always leave a quarter inch gap at the top to let the gases and heat come out I’ve already seen plates pop when you completely weld them tight

Thanks for another great video.👍

Next time (if ever) I teach a heavy equipment fleet mgmt course: watching this video is going to be an assignment [edit: so glad you are ok -- check if they want you to weld strap along all the rest of those skid rails to thicken them all and allow the bucket to have constant support; otherwise those thick back pads could tend to force the cutting edge into the ground dulling it fast and getting operators reprimanded which is probably why the back of bucket wore out as they tried to avoid dulling cutting edge)

Why dose most people say front end loader. Has any body ever seen a backend loader. Good craftsmanship well done. Just say loader or wheel loader. Not a big deal

Great video Issac, that lifting sling i noticed right away, its part of my job everyday to inspect all the slings in use in our shop, i throw away about 12 a month even with the smallest abrasion in them, a sling is much cheaper than a WC claim plus the investigation time, our down time runs at almost $3000/hour U.S. I look forward to part 2 👍 always buy yourself an extra sling

Dam man with those tips it's like you have your own mini lightsaber. ;) The force is with you. lol

Very glad you were not hurt

So funny what you consider a "mess," which to me looks clean and under control. Compared to my messes where I just annihilated things causing customers to lose their minds cursing and spitting at me. Sadly there are establishments where just can't go to anymore, because of the damage I've done using, "I saw it on RU-vid" confidence, which is no substitute for solid experience.

If you haven't been around this kind of welding and fabrication u don't know how hard it is to free hand cutting with a torch!!! Great job!!!

Talent at it's best

IC cuts an absolutely perfect bevel with a torch... "just like that" 😳

No chain could have led to a lot of pain! Looking good. I was cringing when I saw the strap & no chain & you were in front of it pushing & no exit path. Lesson learned. We have all made those calls & learned from it.

At least you nor your son wasn't behind or under the bucket!! Great cutting and welding. Can't wait for the edge welding!!

Where is JR? Im always impressed with you teaching him.

Glad you are okay!!

Another great video from the goat!

Nice work. Risky bucket rigging to turn it over lol. Freebee, nobody was hurt and nothing was damaged. Thanks Isaac

You’re a Jedi with the torch 😮

Lesson learned; call Dad or ICjr. for a hand. Secondly on that much weight always use atleast half inch chain. We put to much trust in those straps, I'm guilty of that, otherwise great video and very informative and entertaining ❤

I remember as a kid grabbing a couple gouging rods from my grandpa and using them for pencils at school.

Great to watch a master. Glad you did not get injured at the end. Thanks for making videos.

Glad you're safe, excellent video as always.

Thank you for your videos.

Sir, always a pleasure watching your videos. Been doing my own thing for a bit but trying to get more videos out there. Always get great ideas from you.

Fortunately, the gas set was out of hitting range and you were stood in a safe place, no one hurt, nothing big damaged, all is well.

That thing rang like a bell!! That was a close one!

Great Video Issac stuff happens glad you're safe!!👍👍

👍 thanks for sharing and all the great explanations. Big fan of your work!

Holy shit, that was scary at the end. It could have easily killed you. I'm glad you didn't get hurt!

Great long video my favorites thank you for sharing.

Yep, I think I got the spot! :) I'm glad it went that way,.. I'd bet you are too, Isaac. I have to do a smaller but similar job on a buck for my tractor soon, and watching this, I think I can handle it. Thanks for this one, now looking forward to Part 2.

Beautiful repair a little sketchy at the end lol Cheers from Nova Scotia

I ran front end loader for 30 years I would get the mechanics when they put a new cutting edge on match the height of the new edge with the height of those wear plates you are working on. You want the bucket running flat wearing on both equally, then your cutting edge would last way longer and cutting grade with the loader was much easier you weren't just riding on just your cutting edge. I hope that makes sense If one was higher then the other when they got done and it always was off a little soon as they were gone a trip down a blacktop road with the bucket down and level would even things up 😜

Part 1 Isaac makes a bucket flip! Can’t wait to see what he makes it due in part 2! 😂😂 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸