“The Temporary Fix” (Operator’s Log, Entry 003, 12/21/25)
I knew it was going to happen. The bottom of my running boards had been rusted for a while now. And when I stepped on tonight …it bent. Unfortunately, I don’t have the time or resources to go buy one today. So the quick fix; welding a strap to the bottom as a temporary support for the running board.
I’ll start by grinding away the paint with a sanding flap wheel. I’m not too worried about the rust since I’ll be throwing these out here pretty soon; I just need to go past it a ways to properly secure the supporting steel. I’ll sand off probably 6 inches on both sides of the rusted area, making sure I’m bonding to solid steel again. Once sanded, I’ll measure the full length outside to outside where my flat bar will go. Once cut, I’ll take a jack and place it on a board under the running board and press against the bottom of it to straighten it back out. Once straight, it’s time to weld. I’ll clamp the flat bar in place and ground the steel, then let her rip. I’ll make slow movements, just a creep, letting the puddle build behind the welder nozzle where the wire is fed. It doesn’t have to be pretty. It just needs to hold for a week or two until I can get a replacement. I’ll chip off the slag and wire brush the joint for a quick clean-up, then I’ll shoot a little paint on it to keep it from rusting anymore and to make it not so noticeable. I know it’s not the best but it’ll do for now. Until the new ones come in anyway.
I get my welder and gear out to tackle this thing, and lo and behold –
Epic Fail! The dang thing was rusted all the way through. When I went 6 inches past the visible rust on both sides of the hole and started to weld, I was met with an inconsistent arc and an oozing, dripping mess of molten metal. It was rusted here, too. I just couldn’t see it on the outside. What a mess. What a liability. The temp fix turned into instant removal. There is no point in risking the safety of others or myself on the road if this thing came loose.
Well, this has become a setback, but today’s words of wisdom are: Better safe than sorry.
New plan: I will immediately remove the affected running board and take a short hop to get in the truck until the new ones arrive. Hmm, there’s never a dull moment in the rabbit hole.
Until our paths cross again somewhere down the Rabbit Hole.
Im your Rabbit Hole Operator – Petter Cotton
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