new here and a repair Q?

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dtwarrow

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new here and wanted to say hi.
I have 2 boats. A 13 foot flat bottom that is old and beat up and a 1648 Lowe faltbottom. It is a bit older.
I totally screwed up and was pounding out a dent and put a hole in the corner of the bottom in the front.
I had a braizing rod but I could NOT get the boat hot enough to melt it and could not repair it that way. Not buying a new torch, so what other repair options are there? I was going to steel flex it as well, but want that hole fixed before I do the steel flex even though I been told the SF will repair it.
And lastly, when I do the SF should I work in heated garage? It's 60's here...
 
Welcome to the boards!!!


Any chance you can get some pictures of the damage? It is sometimes hard to see exactly what sort of damage we are working with, without a picture.

I personally wouldn't try to much with any sort of torch and melt on fix. Those aluminum brazing rods work only with minimal success, and even when done correctly, they are not the strongest fix.

Post up a couple pictures if possible. Not only will it make it easier to find a patching solution, but we also just like seeing pictures of other boats.
 
Don't use a brazing rod, use a designed to patch Alu. I have used HTS 2000 many times and it is a very good repair rod. About $65 a half pound, but well worth it. And you can use it with your propane/MAPP torch.

HTS 2000 website

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/N-cv3R4fWZc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/N-cv3R4fWZc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

It takes a littel practice to get the working temps right, it only works when it flows, but it fills gaps like crazy!
 
Thanks. I'll get some pics up in a while. Just have to get time to take them when the sun is up.

Both are project boats, but I have little money to spare for much on them.
The 13 footer I got for 25 bucks at a garage sale and it leaked like a siv.
The 16 foot I found for 150 bucks! No trailer or motor.
I'm in the process of getting an old trailer as well. I have a 15 HP Johnson I'll use till I get something larger or build a mud motor.
 
here is the boat. Only pic I got. Repaired the hole already but not in the pic.bt1.jpg
 
Rat said:
Don't use a brazing rod, use a designed to patch Alu. I have used HTS 2000 many times and it is a very good repair rod. About $65 a half pound, but well worth it. And you can use it with your propane/MAPP torch.

HTS 2000 website

[youtube]<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/N-cv3R4fWZc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/N-cv3R4fWZc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>[/youtube]

It takes a littel practice to get the working temps right, it only works when it flows, but it fills gaps like crazy!

You can also buy rods at Harbor Freight. As well as someone is selling "5 pack starter kit" of the HTS 2000 on ebay. I have used both. They look different in stick form but both work the same when used. Use Mapp gas too. Propane is just barely hot enough and its worth using Mapp just for "less frustration"
 

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