Sal's Dad wrote:
I can't offer much in the way of advice on welding - I am now building a 20'
W Atkin design in aluminum; cutting and fitting the pieces myself, and
hiring a local pro to do the welding. Pictures and discussion on the Yahoo
AtkinBoats site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AtkinBoats/ (registration
required).

1/8" can be welded, but it isn't easy.

But it's not that hard, if you take a bit of care. 1/8"
aluminum sheet is not really harder than 1/8 steel to weld. Angles and
bar stock are just as easy to weld as steel. It's a different metal, and
you must get used to the characteristics of it, but it's really no
harder, just different.


But for smaller boats, it is still
pretty heavy - about the same as 3/4" plywood. Use 5000 series (5083 or
5086 for salt water) and 6061 for angles, pipe, and extrusions (6063 if you
can find it).

Build yourself a little skiff or dinghy for practice. It will come in
handy, and last forever with zero maintenance. Around here standard sheets
seem to be 6'x20', and you could build a nice narrow little skiff from one
sheet. There are all kinds of nice plywood designs out there that can be
adapted to metal.

And pick up Pollard's book, and Gerr's "Boat Strength".

Sal's Dad


"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
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"imagineero" wrote in message
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--
“TAANSTAFL”
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"A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them;
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences." - Proverbs 22:3
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