SV Seeker
- Thread starter blunderfull
- Start date
Fah Kiew Tu
Curmudgeon, First Rank
Is it stainless or galvanised though?
If it's stainless yes that's really bad.
If it's galvanised, well, it still looks shit but I did some welds last week that didn't look great either. Welding RHS to heavily galvanised parallel flange beam using E4111 electrodes. Even though I ground most of the galv off first in the weld areas, there's always some that contaminates the weld. Hence the cellulose flux deep penetration stick welds because I KNEW trying to weld it with the MIG, even with flux cored wire, was not going to go well.
The E4111 rods will burn through almost anything but the weld always looks very rough. However you *do* get penetration.
And this wasn't for a boat project, it was a base for a diesel generator I'm lackadaisically building out of a 'spare' Lister SL3 motor and 4 pole 7.5kW generator head. I'm tired of kicking the bits about the shop floor.
FKT
You know what else I didn't see often in his welding aluminum videos? A stainless steel wire brush, rags, and solvent. Every good aluminum welder has those handy to clean the metal right before they weld it. He was handling it with bare hands all the time. So skin oils as well.
FKT - It sure doesn't look galvanized to me. Galvanizing usually has that random flake pattern if hot dipped. You do know that breathing zinc vapours from galv. steel is very bad for your health right? Grind off ALL the zinc.
His "wind shields". He didn't use that on the first day.
You know what is clever? Having a fixed way to get to the top of your pilothouse without having to use a loose ladder every time. Like a real research vessel.
It's like shooting carp in a pond with a Vulcan 20mm autocannon.
FKT - It sure doesn't look galvanized to me. Galvanizing usually has that random flake pattern if hot dipped. You do know that breathing zinc vapours from galv. steel is very bad for your health right? Grind off ALL the zinc.
His "wind shields". He didn't use that on the first day.
You know what is clever? Having a fixed way to get to the top of your pilothouse without having to use a loose ladder every time. Like a real research vessel.
It's like shooting carp in a pond with a Vulcan 20mm autocannon.
opcn
Member
In the rare instance that a sailor were using a ladder on deck I think they would immediately lash it to the nearest spar before proceeding to work from it. I get that it's a windless day and that he hasn't left sheltered waters since he got there but a passing jetski could overwhelm the static coefficient of friction and send him sliding right down onto the deck.
Rantifarian
Rantifarian
What's wrong with a ladder or two on deck?
Fah Kiew Tu
Curmudgeon, First Rank
Yeah I know and I do it outside. Another reason for using a stick welder. IME unless you change grinding disks and toss them you never get all the galv off as it smears into the disk and then smears on the work. I grind until I can see nice sparks but you'll still have zinc fumes from the other side of the piece you're welding and I'm far too lazy to grind THAT side back where the HAZ is going to be. Set up a fan & blow the fumes away.
I do try to avoid welding galvanised if possible for these reasons but when you're raiding your scrap pile - shrug.
Not all hot dipped gets that random flake look though. The parallel flange channel I'm using doesn't have it.
Doug's welding sucks and I 100% agree about his shitty prep for aluminium. He should have stainless brushes that get used for NOTHING else but the weld prep areas. I don't weld aluminium and even I know that.
FKT
fukupananvil
Member
- 353
- 204
No worries. His left hip is pinching a large white horizontal rope against the ladder. It's a halyard pull test for situations when the engine isn't providing hydraulic power to the winch.
Needs a few more grapes in those threads to have a dependable self-locking feature.
Dugh went to the dance 15 years ago and asked the 70 ton gorilla to dance. She said yes. Problem now is, he doesn't get to decide when the dance is over - the gorilla does.
sailman
Super Anarchist
My Machine Shop Professor had two categories for our work: Complete or Door Stop. This one falls into the latter category
kent_island_sailor
Super Anarchist
This seems to have devolved into Dugg making really bad welds and sitting at anchor. One the one hand this is boring, but on the other hand hanging around playing with a welder is way safer than taking that thing out in the ocean. Perhaps he will become one of those guys that has an old boat, props up the bar every day, and tells sea river stories if you buy him a drink. I could probably think of worse things to do as a retired grifter 
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sailman
Super Anarchist
Retired? Once a grifter....This seems to have devolved into Dugg making really bad welds and sitting at anchor. One the one hand this is boring, but on the other hand hanging around playing with a welder is way safter than taking that thing out in the ocean. Perhaps he will become one of those guys that has an old boat, props up the bar every day, and tellsseariver stories if you buy him a drink. I could probably think of worse things to do as a retired grifter
opcn
Member
So, last night I couldn't sleep, and finally broke down and purchased the RawFaith Documentary and I really enjoyed it and strongly endorse it. I looked sporadically to find it somewhere free with ads or something over the years but just breaking down and buying it seems to have been the ticket.
I was familiar with the story from various blogs and forums and news clippings over the years but watching him talk I got the same misguided and self righteous midlife crisis vibes Doug is always giving off.
I was familiar with the story from various blogs and forums and news clippings over the years but watching him talk I got the same misguided and self righteous midlife crisis vibes Doug is always giving off.
George Graves
Member
- 197
- 148
Wasn't that guy also in IT support or something?
opcn
Member
He worked as an engineer designing network switching equipment.
fukupananvil
Member
- 353
- 204
Somebody at reddit determined the latest weld goober contraption is part of a jib crane installed near the stern. Was wondering WTF that welded stick thing was. Shows a pic of the captain playing monkey on it. He hasn't yet discovered the beam's ultimate bending strength; no triangulated top strap yet to add bending capacity. What did you
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Sail4beer
Starboard!
acwood
Pooper Anarchist
- 17
- 18
He made some comment about getting the tender up higher out of the water. Now it looks like some contraption to haul crap out of the tender. All I know is more weight back at the stern seems like a good idea.
