Wow! Cool project. You are brave to just dive into such a project like that without experience welding aluminum. I'll be looking forward to seeing the rest of it!
I’m just getting into welding myself, and really want to tackle one of these as my first projects. I plan on starting something like this in December once my job slows down. Reckon you’ll have a few more of these videos out then? I’d hate to outpace you. I need a reference!
Good on you mate! Pick up a project and dig into it head first! Best way to learn anything, in my opinion! I'm planning to do exactly what you are doing, including buying the welder and whatever else you end up getting to make the job easier! Keep up the good work! Subbed and Liked✌👌
You might want to look more into the wire you're using. When welding 5xxx series aluminum with 4043 wire, the welds become brittle. 4043 is definitely easier to get a pretty bead with but 5356 is the correct wire to use in boat building.
50 series wire will create more soot but is made for welding marine aluminum alloys like the 5xxx series. 4043 will weld it but not as strong but is more forgiving when flexing. for that boat 4043 will work just fine. i wouldnt want it on a big bass boat or ship though
Looking good so far. As to welds, Im not an expert, but the 50 series wire will smoke more than the 40.Regardless of smoke, use the correct wire for the series you are welding. It looks like the welds you had questions about were too cold, too dirty , to low of CFH on the argon?? Aluminum will oxidize apparently in about 6 hours. The oxidation has a much higher melting point than the base metal, thats why cleaning is important, it messes stuff up. Any foreign material will mess stuff up. You should brush all the areas to be welded, dedicated stainless brush. Wouldn't hurt to wipe down with Acetone though be careful about fire. To be honest, your welds look a lot better than I thought they would, so good for you. I have a spool mate 150 and am having a horrible time with getting it to weld clean??? Somethings not quite right with it?? Yours look better than mine by far. Curious about your settings? Cant help you with starting and stopping? I had a tour in Jan at "Life Proof " boats in Bremerton. The weld quality is outstanding, cant figure out how they get everything to look like it was one continuous weld? They are using Pulse and much more expensive Millers which I'm sure is a help. You should if you have not already watch "Timmy Turtles" boat build. The guy helping him is really good at fabrication.
i know its a year old but anyone that is starting to mig welding aluminum needs to watch how a robot welds aluminum. aluminum is welded much hotter than steel or its alloys also. the wire coming out of the tip will sometimes come out straight and others it will go side to side. if you learn how to make fast in out circles like a robot does it not half moons like when in mig welding steel you can get a beautiful welds that will look like a robot welded it. you can also if you keep your nozzle 90 degrees to your metal and just push or drag in a straight line but you will not build any thickness and will be much weaker than if you did the fast circles. ive been welding for a long time and thats the best way to mig weld aluminum and the only better way to weld aluminum is tig welding but more tedious and looks better and isnt that much slower if you know what you are doing.
Looking pretty good David! I applaud your boldness in tackling this project never having aluminum welded before. I'm planning on building a mini jet boat sometime soon as well. Curious what you'll be using for a motor and pump. I've got a few tips for the welding side of things. I'm no expert or professional welder, but i did take a TIG welding course through BCIT, so it's pretty solid info.
Cleaning/ prepping the weld area is super important. Need to clean the oxides off first, both the material being welded & the rod. Use a brush and Emery cloth, and clean with acetone. Cleaning is only good for an 1 hour before oxides are reforming. Have a specific brush just for aluminum.
Preheat the first half of your weld stitch before you weld, makes a big difference. Also, it looks like some of your welds didn't get hot enough. Go over them with your TIG torch before you can't reach them. They'll break if they don't have enough penetration.
Also, it looks like you might need a bit more shielding with the gas. Your Argon should be at 30 CFM when you're welding - check your regulator flow settings.
G'day Dave, Im not sure if applicable for your boat model. I watched a pro builder and racer of these boats recently he said in his video not to weld the stringers to the rear transom as this is a place where they are known to pull through. I see if I can find his build video
Wow! Cool project. You are brave to just dive into such a project like that without experience welding aluminum. I'll be looking forward to seeing the rest of it!
Well thank you! I can’t wait to have it together
I’m just getting into welding myself, and really want to tackle one of these as my first projects. I plan on starting something like this in December once my job slows down. Reckon you’ll have a few more of these videos out then? I’d hate to outpace you. I need a reference!
When welding aluminum with a spool gun you should push the gun. It will make a difference.
Good on you mate! Pick up a project and dig into it head first! Best way to learn anything, in my opinion! I'm planning to do exactly what you are doing, including buying the welder and whatever else you end up getting to make the job easier! Keep up the good work! Subbed and Liked✌👌
Just picked up my kit from JetStream, will get started on it this fall !
I am more into how you fix BMWs. This episode is different, yet interesting. I am looking forward to seeing the final product and the first test...
If he puts bmw engine in it would you be interested
@@brianermeling2764 given its a 10ft boat, he might struggle for space....
This is nine months ago but there's no part 2. Did the project stall?
You might want to look more into the wire you're using. When welding 5xxx series aluminum with 4043 wire, the welds become brittle. 4043 is definitely easier to get a pretty bead with but 5356 is the correct wire to use in boat building.
This is good to know! Thank you
50 series wire will create more soot but is made for welding marine aluminum alloys like the 5xxx series. 4043 will weld it but not as strong but is more forgiving when flexing. for that boat 4043 will work just fine. i wouldnt want it on a big bass boat or ship though
what happened to episode 2/ 3 etc we would like to see how it went, come on be nice
Looking good so far. As to welds, Im not an expert, but the 50 series wire will smoke more than the 40.Regardless of smoke, use the correct wire for the series you are welding. It looks like the welds you had questions about were too cold, too dirty , to low of CFH on the argon?? Aluminum will oxidize apparently in about 6 hours. The oxidation has a much higher melting point than the base metal, thats why cleaning is important, it messes stuff up. Any foreign material will mess stuff up. You should brush all the areas to be welded, dedicated stainless brush. Wouldn't hurt to wipe down with Acetone though be careful about fire.
To be honest, your welds look a lot better than I thought they would, so good for you. I have a spool mate 150 and am having a horrible time with getting it to weld clean??? Somethings not quite right with it?? Yours look better than mine by far.
Curious about your settings?
Cant help you with starting and stopping?
I had a tour in Jan at "Life Proof " boats in Bremerton. The weld quality is outstanding, cant figure out how they get everything to look like it was one continuous weld? They are using Pulse and much more expensive Millers which I'm sure is a help.
You should if you have not already watch "Timmy Turtles" boat build. The guy helping him is really good at fabrication.
Great project David. But it’s your classic bmw 2002’s that we really like to see. Any new updates on them please? U.K. salutes you. 🇬🇧
Were you happy with the new welder?
i know its a year old but anyone that is starting to mig welding aluminum needs to watch
how a robot welds aluminum. aluminum is welded much hotter than steel or its alloys also. the wire coming out of the tip will sometimes come out straight and others it will go side to side. if you learn how to make fast in out circles like a robot does it not half moons like when in mig welding steel you can get a beautiful welds that will look like a robot welded it. you can also if you keep your nozzle 90 degrees to your metal and just push or drag in a straight line but you will not build any thickness and will be much weaker than if you did the fast circles. ive been welding for a long time and thats the best way to mig weld aluminum and the only better way to weld aluminum is tig welding but more tedious and looks better and isnt that much slower if you know what you are doing.
Been over a year… where are your other videos?
Looking pretty good David!
I applaud your boldness in tackling this project never having aluminum welded before.
I'm planning on building a mini jet boat sometime soon as well.
Curious what you'll be using for a motor and pump.
I've got a few tips for the welding side of things. I'm no expert or professional welder, but i did take a TIG welding course through BCIT, so it's pretty solid info.
Cleaning/ prepping the weld area is super important.
Need to clean the oxides off first, both the material being welded & the rod. Use a brush and Emery cloth, and clean with acetone. Cleaning is only good for an 1 hour before oxides are reforming.
Have a specific brush just for aluminum.
Preheat the first half of your weld stitch before you weld, makes a big difference.
Also, it looks like some of your welds didn't get hot enough. Go over them with your TIG torch before you can't reach them. They'll break if they don't have enough penetration.
Also, it looks like you might need a bit more shielding with the gas.
Your Argon should be at 30 CFM when you're welding - check your regulator flow settings.
Rock on! 🤟🏼
Thanks man!!
You bought the Miller 180 or 220? You said 220 but the box said 180.
👍🏻 buddy!
🤙
Hello, do you have any hull cutting drawings?
G'day Dave, Im not sure if applicable for your boat model. I watched a pro builder and racer of these boats recently he said in his video not to weld the stringers to the rear transom as this is a place where they are known to pull through. I see if I can find his build video
Ahhh, this is good to know. Thank you
Me puede compartir sus planos y sus respectivas medidas por favor!!!
You need to back off the welder before leaving the pool or it leaves a hole Everytime that’s like the first tig lesson I thought
Hello friend, how can I place an order for the material for a mini jet boat and lose it assembling it in my workshop... please help me!!!

I purchased this stuff from Jetstream out in British Columbia, hope that helps!
Gave up?
Из Канады?