The quest for a new stainless steel frame - Page 5

boatdoc · 03-26-2007, 04:49 AM

Hi Mike; To answer your question first, in reality I am cost minded kind of guy. This is exactly why I did not contracted someone to do it for me. I have considered all of my options. Repairing the old frame would have added approximately 132 lbs of weight in order to return the frame to the original strength. Sandblasting is expensive. Welding onto previously rusted steel is not in my opinion a 100% fix. Moisture will cause rust in areas inaccessible with paint. Por 15 is expensive. In the end I would still have a frame that will rust. Here is the clue why I am not doing a overkill. I buy SS at $1.50/lbs.
Why in this world would I want to put out money for sandblasting repairing and painting where for almost same amount of repair time involved I can have a frame which will never rust without using a spoonful of paint. In addition a frame that has no parts welded to it in places where it just looked good to the person welding it originally. Having the equipment and facility to build a new one had a lot to do with my decision.

The floor is aluminum clad on both sides 1/2 Omega Panel. Floor is fastened with 1/4-20 SS flat head screws with frame being drilled and tapped. Screws were coated with blue removable Lock Tite. The frame contact area to aluminum clad ply was covered with .065" thick by 2" wide 3M Mastic tape
#3M Scotch 2228. Floor panels were joined with 1/16" wall aluminum H molding and sealed with 3M 5200 Marine adhesive. Edges of panels were trimmed with aluminum C molding and sealed with 5200. 1/2 panel ended up being 3/4" on edges. Cork flooring panels will be route red to accommodate the 1/16" H trim thickness in order not to telegraph through the cork floor covering.

Not all of us have the facility equipment or the knowledge to do what I am pursuing, but in my case it is the best choice. If you choose to do a new frame I can help you with details. Thanks, "Boatdoc"

NorCal Bambi · 03-31-2007, 09:02 AM

Boatdoc, this project is coming along great. There is nothing like the right tools and the space to use them. I only wish I was close by so I could have watched the progress of your project upclose. A picture is worth a thousand words, but being there is worth millions.
Don

boatdoc · 04-03-2007, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

Boatdoc, this project is coming along great. There is nothing like the right tools and the space to use them. I only wish I was close by so I could have watched the progress of your project upclose. A picture is worth a thousand words, but being there is worth millions.
Don

Hi Don; My project has slowed down because my business is into a full swing with oncoming boating season. I have not yet given up the idea of having it finished this year. My work space is now occupied by customers boats. Now, I have to come in three or four on the morning and do what I can inside the shop. Last week I just finished welding a 28 gallon aluminum Grey water tank. Yesterday, welding of a SS sealed and neoprene lined dual battery box was completed. My Arg had a single 24 Group battery box which was plastic and all cracked up. I have made a decision to move the hot water heater to the curb side just ahead of the tub, and use the heater access door for space for two Group 29 deep cycle batteries. Last Sunday in March I got lucky. My wife and I were antique shopping where I have spotted older commercial Singer sewing machine. Checking it out, turned out to be in like brand new condition under the ton of dust. No wear was noticed on any joints, so I asked what the price was. I was astonished when I heard $95.00. The whole thing weighs about 400 lbs, but it is in the shop cleaned oiled and working like new. Looking through large box of attachments, I was amazed how much accessories there was. About a hundred needles, bobbins and ton of new replacement wear parts. This will make a fabricating of our wrap around gaucho a snap. This morning about 6:00 Am I will be on my way to my favorite Scrap Yard to purchase some aluminum square tubing for a gaucho frame as well as for other interior components such as pull apart bed frame. This scrap yard buys production overruns and going out of business plants. Six acres of land and buildings where you can find anything under the sun.
At $1.50 per lbs they are my favorite supplier. Few weeks ago I have finished a new SS bumper, which is presently at the shop to have oval holes cut by CNC Plasma cutter to eliminate weight from it and provide space for snap in additional LED oval stop lights in the bumper. That way at least something gets done every day for as long as I keep chipping away at it. Sometime soon I will post some more pics of my efforts. Thanks, "Boatdoc"