1976 Tom Boy Boat, 1976 40 HP Johnson Outboard and who knows what Trailer

Sea18Horse

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
626
That's looking nice! I've got a couple of OMC pressure tanks I need to get off my @$$ and do that to.

Cheers...................Todd
 

Sea18Horse

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
626
Hmmmm, all this talk of aluminum brazing has gotten me to thinking. My boats windshield frame has about a bazillion holes in it from 5 decades of canvas top snaps and god knows what else being added, plus a spot where someone lost control of a skilsaw at some point in the past. I wonder how this aluminum rod would do at filling these holes and how well it would blend? I may have to try this on an "inconspicuous spot if I can find one. Thanks for the inspiration!

Cheers.....................Todd
 

Sea18Horse

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
626
Rgr that Kevin! May be able to get the tilt up frames for the glass itself out first. But in any case it needs new glass any way. The port side has a BB gun hole in it.

Cheers...............Todd
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
Rgr that Kevin! May be able to get the tilt up frames for the glass itself out first. But in any case it needs new glass any way. The port side has a BB gun hole in it.

Cheers...............Todd

I used a mere propane torch and after everything heated up nicely, the Alumiweld rods flowed pretty easily. I will say one thing though, While I was adjusting the torch angle and holding one of the Alumiweld rod (no glove like an idiot), the rod slid through my hand and "boy was that rod end extremely HOT". Now I have a nice straight scab where the rod slipped by on one finger. Doesn't take long to feel the heat... So just be careful and don't do a Wile E Coyote like I did! :eek:

Also make sure you use a wire brush (new one) to clean any area you plan on using the Alumiweld rods on.
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
Well I did get to wet sand the gas tank, BUT it started raining and the paint was called off. But it is ready for a dry day now. I used 400 wet/dry paper and of course water. And I used a 3M flex sander pad witht eh 40 paper to get most everything flat and smooth. Worked great.

I also took a few pictures of the transom cap where I Alumiweld the slits I cut to allow the channel aluminum to bend . I attached a few pictures. I can see a slight discoloration from the aluminum and the Alumiweld fill-ins, But isn't hugely bad. Not sure if I will polish it out and install it like it is, or wait for the Primeweld TIG 225X to get here. IDK..

But here are some pictures anyway....
 

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kcassells

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 16, 2012
Messages
8,720
Ouch and yup I see what you are saying with tones on the metal. If you aren't going to use that pc. you might want to play with it. Meaning you could top off the whole thing with the rod and see if it polishes out uniform. it's called tinning. Do it all the time with solder.
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
Sorry for not posting sooner. But seems my web browser (Chrome) would NOT allow me to sign on here on iboats because it stated that the iboats website HAS KNOWN spyware on it and therefore blocked my access. I tried many many time and every time a red screen blocking me. So I tried different ways to get here and finally found a work around. IDK what is going on, but here I am after days of trying...

Well My new Primeweld TIG welder showed up. I unboxed it, bought an Argon Gas Tanks (ouch) and some filler rods for stainless steel, regular steel, and of course aluminum. So today my oldest son came by and introduced me to using this welder on stainless steel. He was extremely impressed with the welder and said he doesn't have that capable of a welder at his work place. And he works at a very very huge well known product company. He does welding and metal manufacturing as well as computer programming and circuit designing himself.

So I took the torch and started. And to my surprise, I didn't do all that bad. Not ready to weld anything like the Empire State building structure, but not bad for my first time TIG welding. I think I found a great new toy now. So I think after some more playing and practicing, I will weld the transom cap.

Our weather went from 80 degrees to 40 degree with rain, over night...literally. So the gas tank is sitting there primed and wet sanded waiting for the weather to change to something suitable to paint in...

Other then that, I am now looking for a nice flat piece of 1/2" steel plate about 3 foot by 4 foot or longer to make a welding table out of. Seems wood and plastic are not going to cut it with TIG setup... MIG welding I usually welded outside on a grated metal top sitting between two saw horses. But TIG is more controlled type of welding and really needs a metal topped table to work on. I see a trip to the salvage yard coming real soon...

Well until the weather changes again, to something I can paint in, we will see you all later...IF I can get back on here again...
 

kcassells

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 16, 2012
Messages
8,720
Too much BS and now all I get when I log in is to go to chrome for your new browser and that's Iboats doing that feed crap.
Got enough crap in my life ya see when all I want to do is log in. If and when its even up.
 

archbuilder

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5,697
I had issues with fire fox for a day or two, but it seemed to get resolved. My phone had the same issue by the way, not sure what is up with that. Glad to hear you got the welder, looking forward to seeing what you do with it!
 

oldrem

Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
2,002
Had the same problem a few days ago. Could not get in with Firefox, Chrome or Explorer. Finally got in with Brave. Two days later all was normal again
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
Wow, all I can say is it is getting harder to now make a simple post. If I read anyone's reply to any of my posted comments (after trying and trying and trying again to just logon), I can't reply or make even a new post. I have to go jump through hoops to be able to get where I can write anything presently. I don't think I am doing anything different then I used to do. But it is really getting harder to come here and post things now. Something has changed and I don't know if it is on my end, or on here... :eek:

The TIG welding is coming along well, but the weather isn't. Today we have a nice sunny day, but the temps are in the low 40's. Way too cold to paint. And the forecast is for lots more rain starting tomorrow. BUT it will be warmer. So either warm weather and rain, or cold weather and sunny. I guess the fuel tank will have to wait until both conditions are right. But I can proceed with the transom cap and push myself to start cutting and sewing the live well cushion...:facepalm:

Like with everything, once you get started, it seem to all work out. But getting started something is a real issue. Especially when you have to learn really really quick to make it look right. And with my OCD, I have to make things look really good or I will not let it go... I know, a curse for certain! :deadhorse:

Hope this site starts working better real soon. If anyone knows what I could be doing wrong to get here and post without back-door effort, please let me know. I'm all ears...:noidea:
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
Okay, today the temps got up to 67 degree and it isn't raining, go figure. Plenty warm enough for painting. So I did get the tank base coated finally. It seems to have come out pretty nice. The red coat I sprayed was the exact same red I used on the engine and boat itself. So everything will match somewhat. It is a little darker red then original, but I think it will work out okay.

The paint it touchable in about 10-15 minutes, but it states at least four hours, if I remember correctly, before taping off. So I will wait until tomorrow for the red to be set to do the white graphics. Then all I need to do is allow that to flash off and set for the required time and then a few clear coats to bring out the shine and make it oil, gas, and chemical proof...

I also been practicing with the TIG welding and it seems to be coming along well. A totally different type welding for sure, but not that different to make it total new. It is all in the skill to make straight welds and feed the filler rod smoothly as you go along. So that is what I am practicing on now. I am also looking for a 2 foot by 4 foot by 1/2 inch plate steel to make a welding table. Plastic and wood just isn't going to work. Seems those two idea either melt or catch on fire. Not good options in my opinion... I tried to price out such a sheet of steel, and OMG they much be making that sheet out of gold. And it seems odd that steel is going for more per pound now then aluminum. When did that happen...

Here are a few pictures of the tank.
 

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archbuilder

Vice Admiral
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
5,697
looks good, yeah steel is crazy. drives our cost way up on new construction designs. does the base coat have a recoat time? or open window?
 

gm280

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 26, 2011
Messages
14,604
looks good, yeah steel is crazy. drives our cost way up on new construction designs. does the base coat have a recoat time? or open window?

The specifications for this PPG base coat paint says 5 -10 minutes recoat, 45 minutes tape, 20 minutes minimum for clear coat. I allowed a day to make sure everything was good. Don't want the graphic attempt to peel off the base coat. Now I am going to try the graphics, if the weather cooperates. I am trying something new for the graphics and it may not work as planned. But I will try it anyways. I do have another back-up plan as well. But that is a lot more involved too.

As for the steel plate, not sure what I will do to get something to work. I was thinking some scrap yard, but I don't know if they will sell any of the metal to an individual. And if so, is it going to be the same price as buying new. But we will work around until I get everything together.

There is a very good place to buy new metal about 15 miles away, but I don't think they sell any metal in pieces. You have to buy full sheets and sticks. A 4' x 8' x 1/2" sheet would be very expensive and equally heavy too. I only need a 2' x 4' section.

Well if I am successful with the tank graphics, I will post the results. in the mean time I am still practicing TIG welding before I attempt the transom cap weld up. If I get it TIGed up and can feather the welds out and polish them, I am good to go. We will see... The welder is totally capable to TIG most any type metal, but I still have to get up to something resembling decent abilities yet.
 

oldrem

Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2013
Messages
2,002
Tanks are looking great. Around here, scrap yards will sell anything to anyone. Prices are usually about 1/2 to 2/3 of new since that's still more than they would get otherwise.
 
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