making aluminum float

[Winter Welding]

I don't need people teaching me about surface area and weight disbursment or what not. Just looking to make some extra cash. Live in a fishing town and one of the most common things people need here is a gaf hook/bouy catchers. They sink when they fall overboard. I want to make custom made ones and somehow make them float and charge double. Except what are some good ideas to make them float? Welding wont really allow them to be "water tight". And im wondering if maybe foaming the inside of the tubing will do anything?. Anyone got good ideas, post them, all ideas are good ideas. Thanks.

[Winter Welding]

Maybe tig the front of the gaf/bouy catcher, and then do a colder mig on the back of it? So its water tight up front but just almost not water tight at the back?

[aametalmaster]

Welding wont really allow them to be "water tight".

Say what? People make water tight welds on aluminum everyday...Bob

[griff01]

I don't need people teaching me about surface area and weight disbursment or what not. Just looking to make some extra cash. Live in a fishing town and one of the most common things people need here is a gaf hook/bouy catchers. They sink when they fall overboard. I want to make custom made ones and somehow make them float and charge double. Except what are some good ideas to make them float? Welding wont really allow them to be "water tight". And im wondering if maybe foaming the inside of the tubing will do anything?. Anyone got good ideas, post them, all ideas are good ideas. Thanks.

Water tight welds are made everyday. If your not capable of that quality of welding, ship them to me. I will only charge full price, not double.

Griff

[ryanjones2150]

Tie a rope to the end of the gaf hook bouy catcher thing. Not water proof, but sink to the bottom proof.

[MAC702]

Yes, a proper weld will be water tight.

Another idea to supplement the buoyancy would be a big cork (or similar) grip. It can be wrapped for abrasion protection and longevity.

[Winter Welding]

Not what i meant. You cant just weld a cell shut, it has to push air out somewhere. And tying a rope to a gaf hook is a bad idea considering the fact that they are being used to maintain nets. Basically its tubing that will be welded on both ends shut

[MAC702]

Guess I have no idea what this thing does except be a hook. Instead of researching it, I'll let you supply the helpful information for your question.

[Winter Welding]

I Tried to research, couldnt find anything on the subeject. Basically it catches bouys, gafs fish, helps move nets and lines, basically is a spearing hook.

[Ltbadd]

It is possible to cap off water tight, on the last weld, before you finish the last 1/4" inch, stop welding and let the part cool, then you should be able to go back and cap the last spot

[MAC702]

Oh, THAT's what he meant by you can't weld a cell shut and it has to let air push out. Well, yes, you can weld a cell shut and watertight. It's just a matter of technique and practice.

There is also the option of sealing the end with a very tight rubber plug. In the HVACR industry we routinely buy copper lines, coils, and compressors that have a rubber plug that holds the pressurized nitrogen storing charge.

[ryanjones2150]

I just got done welding up a water tight cube made from stainless steel. No reason you can't weld up both ends of an aluminum tube. I made six aluminum cubes a while back, 4"x4", water tight. In fact I put water inside of them before I finished the last weld. I also back purged with argon, which helps. A lot.

[MMW]

If you are not capable of welding it water tight then weld an aluminum pipe coupling on each end, then screw a pipe plug in with sealant. On second thought since your welds aren't water tight that won't work. How about threaded pipe and then a threaded cap, no welding involved.

[ryanjones2150]

Duct tape. That fixes anything.

[Helios]

Only way to make it float is to make it weigh less than the water it displaces.

But you know all about "water disbursment" so I don't have to splain...