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AcuDoc
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 02:48 am |
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Some of you know that I have a 16.5' Klamath tin boat. What I also have is a small pinhole leak. It's not really bad but something I want to have fixed when I get back next month.
I talked to Danny at Marine Mart, where I have always had great service, and he said he could weld it. I know that aluminum can be very tricky to weld. Has anyone had any experience with them in this area?
thanks in advance - larry
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No Sniveling
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| Joined: | Thu Oct 27th, 2005 |
| Location: | Rio Rico, Arizona USA |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 04:39 am |
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| Sorry, you're gonna' sink......
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tantrum
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 05:05 am |
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| Larry, Just make sure that the person doing the job takes all the neccessary precautions when welding/patching the aluminum. As you probably know, the metallurgy can be significantly affected. As No Sniveling said, the wrong weld is a gauranteed dip in the agua.
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bahiatrader
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| Joined: | Mon Apr 23rd, 2007 |
| Location: | Laughlin, Nevada USA |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 11:58 am |
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| I've had aluminum hulls welded twice with good results. I believe you need to find someone with an inert gas arc welder and a basic understanding of the metalurgy involved. I'm sure there should be someone in the San Carlos Guaymas area who could do it for you.
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Stuart
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| Location: | Tempe, Arizona USA |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 04:18 pm |
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| I might venture over to Marine Mart for that repair. They do super aluminum work. Custom T-tops, etc. They are aluminum artists! They did some emergency welding work for me on my aluminum trailer when my front post snapped on the launch ramp last year. The tongue of the trailer will break before that weld does! Anyway, just my experience and it was very positive.
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Chillerbuilder
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 03:46 am |
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| This may sound really different but I know a guy who can weld aluminum tin foil. I have a hard time with anything thinner than 1/8" so I guess it is all in the skill. I do think I would want them to show me they know how to preheat the aluminum and do a good job. If they say it doesn't need preheating then I would just wait until I found someone else. Just my two cents.
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bahiatrader
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 05:26 am |
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| Put some chewing gum in the hole. I once made a temporary repair on an aluminum hull with some cement and a patch of inner tube material. It was easy to clean up before I had it welded too. If the leak is just a pinhole, you might want to do something like that until you can find someone who will do it properly. Don't let somebody boggle some bird-crap on there with a gas welder. You might look up some aluminum welding techniques on the internet before you talk to anyone about having it done so you will know that it's done correctly.
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Vince Radice
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| Joined: | Wed Oct 26th, 2005 |
| Location: | San Carlos, Mexico |
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 05:46 am |
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The welder at marine mart welded my aluminium fuel tank just fine, We actually opened it up and cleaned it completely and then welded it back together again. I have not had a drop of diesel leak from it going on two years now.
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bartmanaz
Administrator
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 12:50 pm |
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Agree with Stuart & Vince. Marine Mart did a tricky welding job for me, adding a cockpit sun awning frame on the back of an existing aluminum radar arch. At same time they moved 4 bolt-on rocket launchers and welded them to the sides of the arch. Beautiful work and zero problems in 3 years since job complete. Best $ I've spent on my boat and no hesitation in referring you to them.
Bart
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