Whilst I was taking photos in and around the office Piber and Tavi wondered out back to the workshop. When I had finished gloating over the JJ Cobas I returned to find Piber with the Gas torch heating a swinging arm from a JGas trial.
To Tig alloy weld a large item like this swinging arm it must first be pre heated to stop any twist. A twist might occur when heat is quickly applied to one side only. Heating the arm with a gas torch before the welding starts corrects this.
To Tig alloy weld a large item like this swinging arm it must first be pre heated to stop any twist. A twist might occur when heat is quickly applied to one side only. Heating the arm with a gas torch before the welding starts corrects this.
Whilst most of the welding for the JGas is carried out at the Aragon factory at this time some was carried out here by Tavi.
Welding is very rarely carried out by Trial bike manufacturers actually in any of the factories. Firstly most companies don't build their own chassis, they contract it all out. Secondly the fumes, heat and blinding lights are a serious hazard in a factory full of people who might forget the risks at some point and get injured.
Here Tavi checks the temperature of the swinging arm to make sure it's hot enough and not to hot.
Welding is very rarely carried out by Trial bike manufacturers actually in any of the factories. Firstly most companies don't build their own chassis, they contract it all out. Secondly the fumes, heat and blinding lights are a serious hazard in a factory full of people who might forget the risks at some point and get injured.
Here Tavi checks the temperature of the swinging arm to make sure it's hot enough and not to hot.
Next the automatic mask comes down and the Tig is fired up. This was very interesting for me. I have recently bought an ACDC Tig which can weld pretty much any metal. I have the gear but not much of an idea although I am learning quickly. I learnt very quickly that i can save thousands of pounds with it.
Not by doing paid work , but by getting a sun tan from the bright light. Yes... this was a painful mistake .It's simple. You just stand in front of the bright light for 4 minutes for a severe lobster effect the next day, followed by sensitive pain all over and then a week later nuclear like peeling. I am considering opening up a tanning shop. Let me know if you want to come ;).
Seriously though, I learn a lot watching Tavi. His welds were beautiful.
Not by doing paid work , but by getting a sun tan from the bright light. Yes... this was a painful mistake .It's simple. You just stand in front of the bright light for 4 minutes for a severe lobster effect the next day, followed by sensitive pain all over and then a week later nuclear like peeling. I am considering opening up a tanning shop. Let me know if you want to come ;).
Seriously though, I learn a lot watching Tavi. His welds were beautiful.
Hanging from the ceiling were many many different exhausts.
Some very handy machines and consumables. Nice colours as well.
My wife noticed the JJ Cobas clock, below left. She doesn't miss a trick :).
After the work was complete, it was time to load the bike up and head back to Piber's house. Tavi's brother Joan helped us. Joan used to ride the Paris Dakar but has stopped racing due to big injuries. I apologize on behalf of the dog.