FYI.....

Just saw this video and wanted to share with you guys and gals.  

and for those who wanted to fix holes on their aluminum boat.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=welding%20aluminum&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#

Have anyone used this before?  What do y'all think?

Peace and quiet!

Most people will not have the skill nor the equipment to weld the thin aluminum found in 99.99% of boats!

Aluminum welding is no where as easy as welding mild to strong steel or stainless steels.

Aluminum will melt right before your eyes and you will not have a clue as to why it did that. Aluminum does not turn red/white with heat it just heats up to it reaches it melting point and then it just vanishes and you have a nice whole where you were hopeing a nice weld bead would be instead.

Good Video though.

Most people will not have the skill nor the equipment to weld the thin aluminum found in 99.99% of boats!

Aluminum welding is no where as easy as welding mild to strong steel or stainless steels.

Aluminum will melt right before your eyes and you will not have a clue as to why it did that. Aluminum does not turn re/white with heat it just heats up to it reaches it melting point and then it just vanishes and you have a nice whole where you were hopeing a nice weld bead would be instead.

Good Video though.

This is true. I have worked with some of the best welders in the state of Virginia and there's only a handful that can weld aluminum with any consistency. It's not the easiest thing to do, believe me.

"Aluminum will melt right before your eyes and you will not have a clue as to why it did that. Aluminum does not turn re/white with heat it just heats up to it reaches it melting point and then it just vanishes and you have a nice whole where you were hopeing a nice weld bead would be instead."

That was what I heard awhile back.  However, as you will see in this video they patch a hold on a aluminum soda can. Can't get any thinner than that! or can it?  :-/

http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=hts-2000&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wv#

HTS-2000, Durafix are these too good and easy to be true?

Knock on wood! I don't have any hole on my Jon. However, I notice many members do have leak problem. Just wanted to share!

Thanks

Most people will not have the skill nor the equipment to weld the thin aluminum found in 99.99% of boats!

Aluminum welding is no where as easy as welding mild to strong steel or stainless steels.

Aluminum will melt right before your eyes and you will not have a clue as to why it did that. Aluminum does not turn re/white with heat it just heats up to it reaches it melting point and then it just vanishes and you have a nice whole where you were hopeing a nice weld bead would be instead.

Good Video though.

This is true. I have worked with some of the best welders in the state of Virginia and there's only a handful that can weld aluminum with any consistency. It's not the easiest thing to do, believe me.

Have they try to use these products? The melting point of these stuff is over 300 degree less than aluminum.

I bought some HTS-2000. I have just used it to practice so far, on cans and aluminum scarp. it is not to tough to do. I would definitely practice on something worthless before you go to the boat.

I have welded on aluminum tanks used for hauling manure on our farm, it is painstakingly precise work and I avoid it at all cost's. It cost us over $10,000 to get set up to do and I don't think it was worth it as none of us can weld aluminum to save our lives. I would never have the confidence in my abilitys to weld on my boat.

I learned there are a few stages to alum. welding

#1 make a pretty weld that holds nothing

#2 melt everything you touch

#3 weld something that holds but looks like crap, and turns all the the alum. around the weld black, a black that won't come off

#4 get a professional to do it.

I would rather weld the nastiest, rustiest, gunked up steel anyday than alum. Heck I would rather weld galvinized steel (those of you that weld know how fun that is) that alum.

In short, unless your a pro, walk away.

One key thing you need to know before you weld aluminum is that it need to be super clean!! Any dirt, grease or paint will ruin the weld.I like to use a scotchbright pad on the metal before i weld on it. they work great and dont leave any grit behind.

Galvanized steel welding > Accidental Galvanic poisoning worst week of my life. But the Ice cream was a life saver, didn't do much for my waist though :

Yes I have used these rods before, And I've done the can thing many a times.

Here's what they don't tell you about using those rods with cans vers a boat hull or thicker aluminum.

1. Aluminum wicks away heat like crazy. That is why it is the metal that is used for heat sinks like the one that keep your computer CPU cool.

2. Look at the videos. When you see one doing the can trick they used a propane torch. This works because the surface area of the can is small and and very thin so it will heat up to the rods melting point just before it reaches it's own melting point. This will not work on a boat due to heat input needed and the wick effect of aluminum.

When the videos is of other aluminum (not soda cans) they will use either an OXY-ACETYLENE WELDING/CUTTING EQUIPMENT or a MAPP gas torch. These burn hotter than propane.

The melting point of aluminum is right around 1221 °F

For you purest out their that's 660.37 °C or 933.52 K, 1220.666 °F

Acetylene burned alone can produce a flame temperature of about 4100 deg. F. Add Oxygen to the mix and flame temperature in excess of 6000 deg. F will be produced. Unless you are very skilled and have practice on a lot of thicker metal than the cans you will burn threw your boat hull in less than minute, probable closer to 5 seconds but I'll give you a minute just the H_LL of it Why a minute. I figure from the time you light the torch, have it blow out once or twice, then get the flame adjusted just right, , Build up the nerve to put that red hot poker to your boat's hull should be around 55 seconds. That will just about leave you about 5 seconds for you to produce your self a nice hole where you thought your weld bead would be.

Not saying it can't be done just Patrice first.

I need to do a video when I repair my next hull with these different rods.