anyone ever braze holes in their boat?

Bob427

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
155
looking at fixing some holes in my starcraft

Was wondering if anyone has brazed their boat and liked the results


Thanks
 

Bob427

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
155
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Forgot to say the holes are below the water line and I think its from acid
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

jasoutside tried some of that stuff and wasn't pleased. I think for your issues some aluminum patches secured with rivets and 5200 will be the ticket.
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Check out my Sea Scamp thread. I used HTS 5200 and was pleased with it. Be advised there is a learning curve though.

Can we get a picture of the damage? EZ may be right, a patch might be best. If possible or practical I would consider brazing. I'd much rather play with fire than sealant.:p
 

Bob427

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
155
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

I will get a pic as soon as I get back to the boat since its not at my house
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,307
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

my local radiator guy charges $70 per hour to weld aluminum. he usually has 2-3 boats per month where he is welding holes, adding patches, etc.
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/

HTS 2000 not HTS 5200 sorry.

Here's the video. When we see the damage you can get a couple of opinions. We'll get it fixed! I had a Sargeant in the Air Force who used to say "Looks good, cost a lot of money, lasts a long time". USAF spares no cost. Our Starcraft motto: Looks Good, Won't break your wallet, Lasts a long Time.
 

heyyou325

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 17, 2011
Messages
649
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

A big question is how good are you at aluminum brazing? I have a friend who does it all the time, and does a good job. He owns a welding shop, and people pay him $90 an hour. He brazes, and stick welds (I think, could be wire feed, or both). I tried brazing once, and warped the boat.
 

sschefer

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 13, 2008
Messages
4,530
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Those brazing rods like the HTS stuff does work but it's not something you're gonna order online and then go use. It takes a lot of practice to keep the results from looking like junk. You need to know exactly how that metal is going to react to heat before you start. If possible, patch it instead. If you can't patch it, take it to a good welding shop and have it done or you'll end up cracking it. If it's not worth the money to have it fixed right, find another hull.
 

Starman8

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
630
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

I wouldn't weld the skin, too thin of a gauge. Maybe the chine strake for structural because it is thicker.

Are these pinholes in the hull bottom?
 

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Welding creates heat as well as brazing. Heat warps aluminum. My transom warped a bit. The wood transom inner and outer and the transom cap/rail helped to straighten it out.

I don't think it will crack with brazing. Although I am an expert in metals, nothing is 100% especially my opinion.

These guys are right about the learning curve. I would practice on something NOT my boat unless you are confident. Use map gas as a minumum. Propane is not hot enough.

It probably will not ever look 100% no matter what method you use to fix it. Weigh the pros and cons.
 

Bob427

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
155
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

the pin holes are on the bottom near the drian plug i did find a marine repair shop that said they would weld it i just have to take it up there when he's not so busy shrink wrapping boats
end of the season here in ohio
its to nice not to fix
heres atlest a pic of the boat
 

Attachments

  • holiday 001.jpg
    holiday 001.jpg
    65.1 KB · Views: 1
  • holiday 002.jpg
    holiday 002.jpg
    144.2 KB · Views: 1
  • holiday 003.jpg
    holiday 003.jpg
    137.1 KB · Views: 1
  • holiday 004.jpg
    holiday 004.jpg
    145.8 KB · Views: 1

Bwana Don

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
1,951
Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Re: anyone ever braze holes in there boat?

Near the drain plug! That area won't distort, I would braze em up.
 

Bob427

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2010
Messages
155
Re: anyone ever braze holes in their boat?

well the marine shop told they would weld a patch on the boat for around 250 give or take a few bucks

the welder said no big deal he told me the hardest part would lying on ground

so looks like no brazing welding this time
 

Starman8

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 17, 2010
Messages
630
Re: anyone ever braze holes in their boat?

the welder said no big deal he told me the hardest part would lying on ground

so looks like no brazing welding this time

Offer him a Throne???????????????????????????

Most great welders work under difficult conditions. Sounds like a "take advantage" quick buck gig.
 
Top