First post and Question.

[CLUTCHfan]

I have been kicking around the idea of building my own boat for awhile, and basically decided yesterday that I was finally going to go ahead with it. I have decided on building a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox for my first, only I plan on doing it out of Aluminum instead of wood or fiberglass. I am a TIG welder by trade, but don't own my own machine, and plan on getting a small MIG I can run in my garage. Since this will be my first build, I have a bunch of questions before I get started. I looked up a number of books online, and didn't know if anyone could recommend 1 or 2 that will help. Also, I'm planning on getting a small MIG (possibly one that will run off of a 110 outlet), and don't know if this will be enough machine to do most of what I need. I'm looking at either .100 or .125 thickness aluminum. What grade aluminum should I use (I will be painting the boat). Does anyone know the weight difference per 4x8 sheet between .100 and .125. And is there anything else I should be asking or look into, that I missed above. Any and all help will be extremely appreciated.

Aaron

[Rusty Bucket]

I don't have a lot of experience with the smaller mig welders, at least not with aluminum. It seems to me that the tig process would probably work better for the 1/8 and lighter material you intend to use, but I understand about the cost of the tig machine. I think there are several builders on this site with experience using the smaller machines. I have a 250 amp hobart with a miller spool gun and find welding 1/8 6061 pretty tricky. I built my boat with alloy 5052 skin and 6061 t-6 framing. A sneak boat is a duck hunting boat? Pollards' Boatbuilding with Aluminum, is a good book. I look forward to hearing more about your project, regards, rusty

[CLUTCHfan]

A sneak boat is a dick hunting boat? Pollards' Boatbuilding with Aluminum, is a good book. I look forward to hearing more about your project, regards, rusty

It's a Duck hunting boat actually:D :D I know , the U and the I are right next to one another. Thank you for the info. I'll be taking pictures as I go, but probably won't be starting for a month. I've got to do some reading and get some plans.

[Rusty Bucket]

It truly was a keystroke error, I beg you pardon. How do you do those smilie face things anyway. regards rusty

[CLUTCHfan]

No problem. I did almost spit soda all over the computer here at work when I read it though. Funny Stuff. There's a little box next to where you type when you reply, and you can click on which ever smilie you want to use.

[longliner45]

you can also edit ,,,,,,,,,if you really want to.........longliner ,,welcome aboard

[Ike]

Instead of using quick reply click on Go Advanced, then they give you alot of emoticons to pick from :P :eek: :mad: :) :confused: :?: :o :idea: :( :!:

[Ike]

By the way, You might want to post on the Metal Boat Society forum. Those guys are all welders. http://www.metalboatsociety.org/

[Rusty Bucket]

Hi Ike, thanks for the reference to the Metal Boat Builders Society. Sounds interesting but when I tried to join up to look at their forums I kept filling out the the registration form wrong and then I couldn't get my user name and password right so I gave up. Must be some kind of intelligence test so we all know how that's gonna turn out. regards rusty:p :p

[tja]

Google duck hunters boat page and go to there talk forum. There have been a couple of guys that have made duck boats in aluminum on that site that may be able to help. You may have to register before you can post a question. You should have no shortage of advise as there are a lot of diy builders on the site. They like for you to use your real name when you register. It's one of my favorite sites. Good luck. Sincerely, Tom Ayers.

[Rusty Bucket]

Hi, Thanks, The MBS guys e-mailed me and told me that I had to wait a little to get registered, I was just too eager. regards, rusty

[CLUTCHfan]

tja, thanks for directing me to the site. I tried to register there yesterday, but didn't notice the bold writing. Too busy looking for the fine print I guess. I hate using my real name on the internet.

[sal's Dad]

When adapting plywood designs to aluminum, keep in mind that .125 alum weighs about the same as 3/4 plywood, roughly 2 lbs/square foot - and with material this thin, you get a lot of weld distortion.

From my meager understanding, any of the 5000 series alloys should be fine for a trailer boat, especially one so heavily built.

In the northeast U.S., the only reasonable supplier seems to be Yarde, in Connecticut. They have surplus and off-cuts listed on their website.

Ditto the recommendation on Pollard's book. It's on Amazon.

Sal's Dad

[lazeyjack]

you can pm me if you want, I have 30 years building in ally. also writing a book on it, have tickets in Ally welding too, but quickly , you need a welder with Grunt, and frankly 11 vac is not going to do the job,

[lazeyjack]

meant 110, 3ph is best , and line volts over 220
for 6mm you will need a constant amperage of over 200,
could you pick up an old miller and run a spoolmatic , ?

[CLUTCHfan]

I talked with a guy yesterday, and will be picking up a Lincoln 180T hopefully sometime next week. I'm getting a pretty good deal on a new machine, as it is a demo model. I'll be buying a few books, and my plans next week as well, I hope.