Search found 343 matches

by Tfitz
Sun Apr 03, 2022 10:19 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Zep-a-Lume
Replies: 4
Views: 2260

Re: Zep-a-Lume

I found ZepAlum at Kenworth trucking store. They use it to wash down Aluminum trailers
by Tfitz
Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:55 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Remove Foam On Wheel?
Replies: 4
Views: 4558

Re: Remove Foam On Wheel?

Ive found Paint stripper will remove foam remnants very clean and without much effort
by Tfitz
Sat Jan 16, 2021 1:22 am
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Crevice Corrosion Repair Procedure
Replies: 11
Views: 8529

Re: Crevice Corrosion Repair Procedure

I found Zep-a-lume at a Kenworth Trucking supply store in Fairbanks. They use it to clean aluminum flatbed trailers
by Tfitz
Wed Dec 09, 2020 12:02 pm
Forum: Alloy Shop Talk
Topic: Anyone ever built a hull bottom to change the shape of an existing hull?
Replies: 12
Views: 13670

Re: Anyone ever built a hull bottom to change the shape of an existing hull?

All true statements. But.....working with old aluminum thats seen years salt water use is not easy and i stuggle to make "Kmorin" acceptable welds. Thats why my chosen welding style is mostly the smooth, rounded and ground off look😂
by Tfitz
Wed Dec 09, 2020 10:21 am
Forum: Alloy Shop Talk
Topic: Anyone ever built a hull bottom to change the shape of an existing hull?
Replies: 12
Views: 13670

Re: Anyone ever built a hull bottom to change the shape of an existing hull?

Haha no deal my project boat works too well to let go at this time. You are right though i do wish it was at least 26 footer but I'll make do. Im up to my eyebrows in another full restore track rig project at the moment. Welding steel is SOooo much easier than working with that miracle metal.....but...
by Tfitz
Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:02 pm
Forum: Alloy Shop Talk
Topic: Anyone ever built a hull bottom to change the shape of an existing hull?
Replies: 12
Views: 13670

Re: Anyone ever built a hull bottom to change the shape of an existing hull?

This idea is a new revelation for me. Never occurred to me to change my 12° hull rise from the outside. I already remodled the cabin and deck maybe its time to remodel the hull. Im very interested in this post please keep us in the loop!!!
by Tfitz
Mon May 04, 2020 9:56 am
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Corrosion too far gone?
Replies: 15
Views: 10008

Re: Corrosion too far gone?

I think the factory formans attitude came from the fact that he knows the boats and how to repair them from every angle and has seen and done it all and had no time for my ideas taking short cuts on his methods. His method was very labor intensive but after i started the repair i could see it was th...
by Tfitz
Sun May 03, 2020 4:53 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Corrosion too far gone?
Replies: 15
Views: 10008

Re: Corrosion too far gone?

If you want direction from none other than professionals doing exactly what your are attempting to do why not call the Starcraft factory people? I did, talked to the forman in charge of all warranty and maintenance repair work for StarCraft. He had been doing that work everyday for 30 years. Told me...
by Tfitz
Sat May 02, 2020 1:55 am
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Corrosion too far gone?
Replies: 15
Views: 10008

Re: Corrosion too far gone?

Why not drill the rivits out and replace the aluminum and rerivit it? I rebuilt a starcraft than had cracked at the chines on the hull. Had to remove about all the cross ribs in the boat. Over a 1000 rivits. Factory guidance was very helpful. Bought the rivits from them too. That aluminum is so thin...
by Tfitz
Thu Oct 24, 2019 11:22 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Pacific Rubber Bumpers
Replies: 13
Views: 16801

Re: Pacific Rubber Bumpers

I repaired my corrosion by spanning the problem area with a piece of half pipe and got rid of the rubber. After welding the half pipe in place it bypassed the corrosion problem and looked way more solid. Avoid rubber on aluminum installations.
by Tfitz
Tue Oct 22, 2019 3:46 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Pacific Rubber Bumpers
Replies: 13
Views: 16801

Re: Pacific Rubber Bumpers

Be careful about attaching rubber directly to bare aluminum. I had to repair this area on my boat where a rubber bumper rail was attached all the way around the perimeter of my boat. The rubber trapped moisture against the aluminum and corroded the marerial underneath over time.
by Tfitz
Wed Oct 09, 2019 2:37 pm
Forum: Alloy Shop Talk
Topic: Welding Aluminum Boats after your 60's
Replies: 10
Views: 14677

Re: Welding Aluminum Boats after your 60's

Very good! I will try to be more diligent about my PPE on the next project. Hey heres a photo i took this summer while down in your area with my boat. Im sure you've been across to Poly Creek clamming before. It sure was a different world from the Prince William Sound. We spent 3 nights across the i...
by Tfitz
Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:21 pm
Forum: Alloy Shop Talk
Topic: Welding Aluminum Boats after your 60's
Replies: 10
Views: 14677

Re: Welding Aluminum Boats after your 60's

Kmorin, have you consistently been wearing a respirator while welding aluminum during your career? Sometimes i wonder if all the welding smoke and shop dust will effect me later in life. I do have and wear a respirator at times....but only about a 1/4 of the time. Mostly when im in a tight enclosed ...
by Tfitz
Fri Oct 04, 2019 2:19 pm
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

My method of fixing the cracked trailer frame worked out great for me. I trailered my boat from Fairbanks to Kenai to Valdez and back to Fairbanks this summer after the repair with no problems! I fact it acted like a different trailer. The boat quit bouncing on the trailer due to the stiffer tongue ...
by Tfitz
Fri Mar 15, 2019 9:15 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: Windows defrost?
Replies: 4
Views: 5390

Re: Windows defrost?

Get a Planar heater. They are an easy install, great improvement to your boat and not terribly expensive.
by Tfitz
Wed Mar 06, 2019 9:25 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: to windlass or not to windlass??
Replies: 12
Views: 9672

Re: to windlass or not to windlass??

Get a drum winch! They are safe, simple and reliable. You don't have to go on the bow to pull anchor. Don't have to handle wet rope. Just Sit in the captians chair and press a button IN......press a button OUT!
by Tfitz
Sun Dec 30, 2018 7:16 pm
Forum: Alloy Boat Forum
Topic: New Boat Owners: Notice
Replies: 5
Views: 6056

Re: New Boat Owners: Notice

Dadgumit electricians anyhow! Hard to get good help these days!!
by Tfitz
Sun Dec 09, 2018 8:17 pm
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

Strapped down and almost ready to roll again. The last thing on my trailer todo list is install a new Fulton F2 trailer tonge jack and it arrives Friday. Hope it last awhile, My past experience with trailer jacks has always been disappointing. Just plain junk. Supposedly this one has a lifetime warr...
by Tfitz
Wed Dec 05, 2018 1:27 am
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

I left the crown on the welds and the C-channel liner intact by centering it on the H beam web. That left enough gap to accommodate the weld. And that C channel is anchored to the axle plate on both sides of the H beam so it should really resist flexing. I also coated all aluminum to aluminum bolted...
by Tfitz
Tue Dec 04, 2018 1:10 am
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

I'm finally ready to get this boat back on the repaired trailer. If that earthquake was closer to Fairbanks I could have lost my shop AND boat the way the boat was supported from my shop trusses during this trailer repair job. This repair appears strong to me. All cross tie members are double reinfo...
by Tfitz
Sun Oct 21, 2018 11:30 pm
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

When i saw the cracks in the I beam bottom I realized I needed to do everything I could to strengthen this area so i thought the 1/4" doubler Will definitely help. Thanks Kmorin for the suggestion!👍 I tried to reweld but I'm not sure how much difference I really made. I preheated and had good p...
by Tfitz
Wed Oct 17, 2018 3:46 pm
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

When i made that weld on the frame i could barely see and was out of position because the boat was still on the trailer. I knew i would be doing it over. It got me there and back on my last fishing trip so it worked out ok. You really think I need to add a doubler on the bottom of the frame to stiff...
by Tfitz
Wed Oct 17, 2018 12:25 am
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

Whats the best way to weld this crack and make this area strong again? I could mig it and grind it smooth but I think it won't have much strength. I'm adding the two 1/4" × 4" C channels and support the crossmember off the C channel legs so I'm thinking that will add the strength.
by Tfitz
Sat Oct 13, 2018 11:50 pm
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

Got the trailer out to where I can work on it now! I have a plan and it's going to be Beluga strong when done!!
by Tfitz
Wed Oct 10, 2018 5:25 pm
Forum: Hauling Your Alloy Rig
Topic: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas
Replies: 34
Views: 43321

Re: Cracked Trailer frame repair ideas

Based on past experience I've come to realize that MOST of the time when I don't listen to what you are telling me to do....I regret it later. SO I will try to incorporate a gusset or V brace into my C channel design. Since I just bought a 25' piece of 4" 6061 C-channel for this repair. I think...