Aluminum Boats

[Canuck]

Now that I have got a Tig machine my father and I are wanting to build a boat. Aluminum is the material of choice and the boat will be around 18-20 feet long( have not got plans yet). My question is would I be able to to Tig weld it. I know that wire welding is perhaps faster but I don't have a big enough mig to weld it with. The material would be mostly 3/16" thickness with some thicker and some thinner. Would using 75 helium/ 25 argon with a 200 amp air cooled torch on my 180sd do the job? The only other route I can see would be cutting, fitting and tacking and then renting A Mig for three days.
Thnaks for any help.

[HAWK]

Canuck,

You can do it with the Sync 180! Pay attention to the duty cycle on your top end. Let the machine rest and give yourself a break from the warm torch handle. Take your time. The air cooled torch will probably get hot. You may want some thicker gloves than the standard tig gloves. The 75%he/25%argon is a good idea. The hotter gas will help to burn out any oxide residues that may otherwise become oxide inclusions in the weld. It will also get you through the 1/4" material if you have it. Some beveling or other appropriate joint prep may be helpful on the 1/4" material. The boat will act as a huge heat sink and some mild preheating may be necessary. The he/ar may be enough to do the trick. Also a large welding blanket can be used to hold the heat in on large weldments.

[Canuck]

Thanks Hawk I lke the idea of the blanket to hold in the heat. How much would the 75/25 increase my travel speed on 3/16-1/8 material?

[Andy249]

I think you would find the total heat input into that job with a TIG machine would make distortion control very very difficult!! MIG would be a far better option as far as welding and tacking goes, less heat input, less distortion and sooooo much faster!! Even if you just use your little MIG for tacking and hire a big one to do your long runs, such as the hull welds, I think you would be light years ahead. Run the hotter gas on your little MIG as well and it should help stretch the legs on your duty cycle and add a little extra heat into the equation.

On the plus side of doing it all in TIG, at least you would be awesome at welding aluminium with TIG at the end of it!!

Laterz,

Andy249
"Its the way it spatters that matters"

[HAWK]

Originally posted by Canuck
Thanks Hawk I lke the idea of the blanket to hold in the heat. How much would the 75/25 increase my travel speed on 3/16-1/8 material?

Canuck,

On thinner material I usually back off the amptrol to better control the heat rather than trying to increase my travel. If you can coordinate the torch and rod you can effectively increase travel 25% or more.

[HAWK]

Originally posted by Andy249
I think you would find the total heat input into that job with a TIG machine would make distortion control very very difficult!! MIG would be a far better option as far as welding and tacking goes, less heat input, less distortion and sooooo much faster!!

Laterz,

Andy249
"Its the way it spatters that matters"

Andy249,

I will agree. However, alternating side to side and front to back the distortion can be controlled. My aluminum boat is 75% MIG and 25% TIG. I think the thermal blanket will also help minimize distortion by considerably slowing the cooling process.

[arcdawg]

jumping around while welding and using a air gun will cool it right down....

give it a whirl and post pics !!

dawg

[Canuck]

Thanks for all the help. I will have to see just how much welding I will really have to do. I would like to TIG everything just because I like it better than MIG on AL. As soon as I get started I will take as many pictures as I can.
Thanks Kyle

[Andy249]

Hawk,

I can definately see where you are coming from, and I have to say that to see a boat that is mainly TIGged would say a lot about the builder and the patience and the attention to detail!! It would look very pretty indeed!! I have built a few (sic) ally boats and for me personally I don't think I could really wait for the job to be done, then again it is more of a job for me! For me I would rather get it completed as fast as I could.

Canuck, good to see you will be posting pics so we can all get a good looksee at your project

Laterz,

Andy249
"Its the way it spatters that matters"

[mowjunk]

Canuck, I know that you haven't got your plans yet, but have you settled on a design or plan supplier? I have been looking for quite a while for that perfect boat and I have found very few plans suppliers for aluminum boats in the 14' to 18' range. Glen-L has a couple, one of which is called the Jimbo. A welding class in Canada built two of them and the instructor has sent me what amounts to a step by step photo essay on the boats. Clark Craft has a couple and a place in Oregon has a few nice plans. One of my favorite is from a place in Australia. I need to narrow this down a bit and get some plans

I have both the 180SD and the MM210 with the spoolgun and I'm itching to get started. If you would like to see the pics, let me know and I'll send them. They are big, but clear and there are about 30 pictures.

Mow

[Canuck]

One last question, I have heard that a high percentage of helium can make you arc rather unstable is true? Also what size and type of electrode should I use.
Thanks

[Canuck]

Mowjunk
I guess we posted at the same time and I missed yours. I would love to see some pics you can send them to me at [email protected].
When I do get some plans I will let you know where they came from.

[HAWK]

mowjunk,

Can I get a copy of the pics? email through the forum and I'll send you an address.

Thanks

[mowjunk]

Hawk, check your email!

Mow

[Bob Sigmon]

Mow,

I'd be happy to host the pictures on my hosting site. I have tons of space, that way anyone that wants to see them can click to them from this site.

Let me know.

[email protected]

Bob Sigmon