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Chotu · 11-07-2022, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by fourlyons

Chotu, is it absolutely necessary that these pieces are welded? Many things that are welded can, and have, been bolted/riveted/screwed/glued together. Mast extensions are regularly done with fasteners only. If it's truly just welding that is holding you up, is there another way to do it?

The mast extension definitely has to be welded because another section like the one I have does not exist. The plan at the metal shop is to create another piece that will be spliced. But they have to weld that piece up from quarters.

The parts that connect the Cross beam to the bows are custom and 316 stainless.

It’s hard to see a way to do them without welding. And there’s a lot of machining involved as well.

aybabtme · 11-07-2022, 17:29

While there's absolutely a world of difference between a proper welder and an amateur one, I wouldn't dismiss the amateur weld. For a ton of cases, a DIYer can get a good enough weld in place for mild steel or stainless. Aluminum is much harder though. Just give yourself plenty of safety margin and don't try to build the most lightweight, high stress assembly out there. Realistically even a crappy weld will hold together enough for a non critical application. The problem however is that your weld will need to be treated or it will rust, 316 or not.

Chotu · 11-07-2022, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by aybabtme

While there's absolutely a world of difference between a proper welder and an amateur one, I wouldn't dismiss the amateur weld. For a ton of cases, a DIYer can get a good enough weld in place for mild steel or stainless. Aluminum is much harder though. Just give yourself plenty of safety margin and don't try to build the most lightweight, high stress assembly out there. Realistically even a crappy weld will hold together enough for a non critical application. The problem however is that your weld will need to be treated or it will rust, 316 or not.

Haven’t I seen welded pieces of 316 before? They didn’t seem to rust. How did they do that?

rslifkin · 11-07-2022, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chotu

Haven’t I seen welded pieces of 316 before? They didn’t seem to rust. How did they do that?

The stainless needs to be appropriately cleaned and passivated after welding. Then it won't rust.

aybabtme · 11-07-2022, 19:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by rslifkin

The stainless needs to be appropriately cleaned and passivated after welding. Then it won't rust.

Correct.

AKA-None · 11-07-2022, 20:42

Degrease then acid bath

Same with aluminum or brass called anodizing

Broward1958 · 15-07-2022, 07:35

Can you post pictures of the project? I have a welder friend that just might be crazy enough to travel to do the work. We love adventures!

Chotu · 15-07-2022, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broward1958

Can you post pictures of the project? I have a welder friend that just might be crazy enough to travel to do the work. We love adventures!

I can’t post any pictures of the project because it doesn’t exist yet.

I can’t post the plans because that’s bad for the designers intellectual property rights. That wouldn’t be right to do to him.

It’s a Mast extension, some odds and ends probably with the mast itself and attachment points, as well as some fittings that connect the bow tube/beam to the hulls.

rickee · 15-07-2022, 09:05

TIG is an art.
MIG is a skill.
The difference is that the latter might be picked up quickly by a practiced handyman. The former may take years for some.
Far easier to do a functional joint that may not be pretty with MIG.
TIG, on the other hand, may or may not be pretty and still not be functional. If you need both, prepare to wait, and pay.
You can practice on regular steel to get up to speed before moving to aluminum. Welding Tips and Tricks site has good info.

Chili Palmer · 15-07-2022, 10:02

Here's a few I found. No connection to any of them, I live in Idaho

Certified Mobile Welding Inc. | Welders | Fort Myers, FL

https://www.welderfortmyersfl.com/contact

https://www.affordableweldingllc.com/

Good luck with your ventures...

wingssail · 15-07-2022, 13:57

Can an amateur get acceptable results stick welding if he starts off knowing nothing?

The answer is yes, despite all the naysayers.

As usual I knew nothing and didn't even know what I didn't know when I commenced my stainless steel projects for my boat. My friend had a welder and knew how to turn it on. We went to a scrap metal yard and bought a bunch of stainless pieces (I didn't even know there was a difference between 304 and 316 or any other type). We got some rods and a bunch of cut off blades for his table saw and my grinder.

In his basement we sawed parts on the table saw, welded them together, and cleaned them up with a variety of discs on the right angle grinder.

I made a Sampson post, anchor roller (massive), brackets for my outboard motor stand, hooks for the line locker to hold coils of line, and several other parts. None were structural but the Sampson post and anchor roller were important for the boat and had to be strong, they were.

These pieces were made 25 years ago and have held up perfectly (they have less rust than the commercial stanchions and bases we have), so it can be done.

You will always have a lot of people who say you can't do it. They just don't want you to succeed.

However, I would want a professional for Aluminum or structural bits.

Icarus · 15-07-2022, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilCigno

I had a somewhat similar problem on this side of the pond. I bought myself a TIG pulse DC welding machine and all the gear around it like a Argon gas cylinder. Still the whole set is cheaper than some of the quotes I got, all which required to bring the parts to be welded into a shop - not possible in my case.

I'm learning now how to TIG weld, there are plenty Youtube video's around. Using scrap metal of course, I've only one chance to do the welding right on my boat. That is the tricky part...

YouTube?

Icarus · 15-07-2022, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by rslifkin

If you're welding stainless a good welder with a MIG and appropriate wire should also be acceptable. Might be slightly less pretty than TIG, but still structurally good if it's done right.

Not so easy...