Simple question a basic piece

[ufm82]

Picked up an old aluminum beater that needs a lot of TLC but she'll be worth it when done. A little 14 footer that has seen better days. I am looking for the brackets that go from the seats to the hull. 8" long aluminum brackets or so with an embossed oval in the center for stiffening. They rivet at each end to the seat and the hull. The brackets someone has put there in the past are simple aluminum bars and have no real support as they flex so much. Any ideas?

 

[ufm82]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Nobody? Surely someone has replaced these pieces. What did you do or where did you go for a source?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

8" long aluminum brackets or so with an embossed oval in the center for stiffening.

Have ya got a photo or something we can go off of? The "embossed oval" part of your request is kinda throwing me (I bet the other guys too).

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Seats are not usually rivited to the hull, they are fastened to the deck of the boat. Maybe take the pictures so we can see what you are talking about. If this is a row boat then maybe the seats are part of the structure of the hull. Need more information to know what you are talking about.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Nobody? Surely someone has replaced these pieces. What did you do or where did you go for a source?

Ayuh,... This is where ya gotta get Creative,...

A few scraps of, say .060" or .080" aluminum can be bent, 'n riveted into 'bout any shape ya need...
Aluminum can be worked with common wood working tools...

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Hey ufm82, sorry I can't help you with your problem, but if you're a football fan, I'll bet you are pleasantly surprised with the Bengals. Who Dey

 

[ufm82]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

LOL- Nah, the Bungles suck. I don't keep tabs on them. They've been bad for so long I've written them off. I'll get a photo of these brackets and post it tonight...

 

[ufm82]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

All right- got pictures of what I am looking for. I guess the "oval" reference threw pepople off. The aluminum struts are formed in a shallow arc and then angled at each end. This provides stiffness that a flat bar does not. The picture shows the "hump" in the strut. (Pic #2) There is also a picture of what is there in place of it (pic #1) - not very functional IMHO. So now does anyone have ideas? Can you see what I am talking about? The struts are bent like a metal tent stake.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Ah, now I am with ya.

I'd guess you'd have a tough time finding replicas of what you have there.

If you want exact copies you could take it in to a fabrication shop and they could probably build matches in a snap though. Or, you could take a shot at bending up your own?

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

You should be able to fabricate those rather easily. Like Bondo said some 090 aluminum and some boards with clamps will make a "make shift break" the just flatten the ends with a hammer and drill the hole.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

You should be able to fabricate those rather easily. Like Bondo said some 090 aluminum and some boards with clamps will make a "make shift break" the just flatten the ends with a hammer and drill the hole.

Ayuh,.... Or strips of flat stock clamped to a round rod, 'n hammer the bevel into 'em...
then flatten the ends, 'n bend 'em to the angles needed...

To anneal 'em after hammerin' on 'em,...
Coat 1 side with a soggy oily rag,...
Then heat the opposite side, with a propane torch til the oil evaporates, 'n let 'em cool...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Maybe it's just me but some 1/4" x 3/4" aluminum strap purchased @ Lowe's, a metal vise, and a hammer and you could have Identical braces made in a few hours.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

Thanks ya'll. Good suggestions. Wood- I think that's what the previous owner did but he didn't pay real close attention to the asthetics. Nothing like a nice sharp edge on a piece of metal in a boat to get your attention. Great info on the annealing process- was wondering how to do that.

 

[Starman8]

Re: Simple question a basic piece

If and when I do a 14' tinnie, I am removing them as the raised deck will provide additional lateral support and the rod boxes running longnitudinal even more