simple question re: frame size

[WildOne]

Morning all

Finally getting around to putting framework in on the explorer.

Would like to know what thickness ally people use for box tubing, angle etc.

Cheers
Tim

[WildOne]

no one can tell me the wall thickness of the aluminium framing in there boat?

[Acanthopagrus]

explorer?

What brand name boat?

Thickness? I would say 2 to 3mm.

3mm is probably the best for MIG welding.

2mm is a little thin for MIG.

[WildOne]

Thanks for your reply mate. Its a quintrex 385 explorer.

Another question, can you weld onto the seats? assuming its thick enough to weld, will angle welded to the seats support the weight of the decking plus a person?

Cheers
Tim

[Acanthopagrus]

Im far from being a welder. However Ive done a lot of watching and asking questions.

Anything 2mm and under potentially can be welded with a TIG welder. It still a little risky and may not be strong enough for the purpose you wish to do with the seats. Potentially the seat could tear etc.

What are you actually engineering into the boat?

[WildOne]

Nothing major, middle and front casting deck.

I just cant see how i can support a front deck without welding angle along the length of the seat. To be honest i dont think it will hold the weight. Still trying to find a welder with boat experience in my area who can sort it out.

Tim

[Acanthopagrus]

Have you contemplated some "heavy duty" pop rivets, some Sikaflex with decent angle?

I think Sikaflex has a shear rating on glass at about 3000lb per square inch?

Any silicon needing smoothing dip your finger in Trix (high viscous doesnt stick) dish washing liquid and smooth over.

[WildOne]

i suppose i might consider that option, but i was thinking of something more permanent and maintanance free

[Brad Y]

Have used some really heavy duty rivets in my first leccy boat and it held up ok. Im only 65kg though so it wasnt much weight to carry

[Acanthopagrus]

Some of the heavy duty pop rivets are used to hold smaller boats together.

Done with some thought rivets and sikaflex may work out stronger than welding a 1.6mm thwart seat potentially weakening the structural integrity of the seat it self especially if holes are burnt not to mention the flotation catches fire.