Cost Of Small Aluminum Welded Repair

[AKCoastie]

I am looking at buying a small aluminum skiff for cheap but it has two half inch long cracks that have been previously repaired with JB weld. Would like to get the spots permanantly welded if I get it but was wondering what it might cost. Any ideas? Here is the ad. Thoughts? Thanks.

http://pensacola.craigslist.org/boa/1970277497.html

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cost Of Small Aluminum Welded Repair

Proper repairing on an aluminum hull is actually easy. I would check the local yellow pages for someone who welds aluminum (thin aluminum) and ask them.

Around here you would be amazed on how nice the welder can be when you show up with a case of beer in the boat!

Two small places on that aluminum boat should not run you whatever the welder charges for a half hour (or less of his time).

 

[drewpster]

Re: Cost Of Small Aluminum Welded Repair

The cost would be very minimal. I would pull the boat up to a fab shop and just ask. I would be surprised if it were more than $50. In fact if you take a wire brush and clean it up before you take it, it would be even less. Two small splits like that would be next to nothing to zip up.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cost Of Small Aluminum Welded Repair

but it has two half inch long cracks that have been previously repaired with JB weld. Would like to get the spots permanantly welded if I get it but was wondering what it might cost.

Ayuh,.... Bring it on over,... I'll throw a stitch or 2 on it for ya,...
But,.... ya there's Always some Buts involved...

The areas to be welded must be reasonably easy to get too,...
They must be open enough to grind shiney Clean with a ssteel cup brush on a 4" grinder...
All the JB weld needs removing...Along with any other contaminants...
And,.. Lastly,...
Many old tinboats are built with aluminum sheeting that has a very high content of Magnesium in the alloy...
If it's a Magnesium alloy, it's Unweldable, as the Magnesium will burn like a 4th of July Sparkeler...

 

[AKCoastie]

Re: Cost Of Small Aluminum Welded Repair

Thanks for the input guys.

 

[andyrmilwaukee]

Re: Cost Of Small Aluminum Welded Repair

I have an aluminum boat that had what looked like a bullet hole in it when i bought it, took it to a local motercycle shop that did aluminum welding and 15 dollars later had a perfect looking weld.