Aluminum crack

[novotm]

I have a pontoon boat w/ a crack in an aluminum panel. I would like to repair it to prevent further propagation.<br /><br />I was thinking of using a product such as JB Weld. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice? Do these products work?<br /><br />Also, would marine-tex do the trick?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[dperkins4]

Re: Aluminum crack

I just tried some AlumiWeld (I believe was the name). It like a brazing rod that melts at 720ish degrees rather than aluminum's 1220. <br />Works like solder but alot stronger. <br />You can use a propane soldering torch or map-gas torch set up. It will be stronger than JBWeld. <br />But, if its a thin piece you'll still have to be careful not to melt it.... pratice on something similar first. I got a pack of 8 rods at Harbor Freight for about $10 and soldered a hole in an aluminum jon boat with it.

 

[novotm]

Re: Aluminum crack

Well, it is a very thin piece of aluminum so I'm worried that I might melt it. It is just an aluminum side panel so it is not like it is structural.<br /><br />However, I'll keep that stuff in mind.

 

[Link]

Re: Aluminum crack

I bought some of those rod sets for welding aluminum and watched a demo of a guying repairing a prop and many other things with it. Well I tried the trick with turning a empty soda can upside down and poking it with a ice pick. Then filling it in by heating the (very thin) soda can and melting the rod. Then take the same pick and put it on the welded spot and smack it with a hammer. The whole can will crush but the pick wont go through the welded spot. I crushed about a dozen cans before quiting. But I never had a need to try it on anything else. <br /><br />

pratice on something similar first.

Got that right <br />JC Whitney also sells those rods.

 

[Mettaree]

Re: Aluminum crack

Be sure and stop drill the crack before you do anything. Small hole at the end of the crack, depending on width of crack. 1/64th" to 1/32nd" hole. Then take care of crack.<br /><br />

 

[chippersdad]

Re: Aluminum crack

Those brazing rods work fine on Aluminum cans and other pieces of Al I have laying around but I cant get it to stick to the boat hull. I am using a standard propane torch. <br /><br />Any advice? <br /><br />What else could I use to repair small cracks?

 

[Mettaree]

Re: Aluminum crack

Are you using a stainless steel brush to remove oxidation at the repair site?<br /><br />

 

[Fritz-X]

Re: Aluminum crack

Hi,<br /><br />I repaired several holes in the bottom of a small Aluminum fishing boat with JB Weld and it worked great. Going on six years without any problems. Beware JB Weld is dark sooty grey in color if the crack is in a visible location.