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11-29-2007, 01:46 PM
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#1
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4 Rivet Member
1970 27' Overlander
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
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Stud Welder
Has anyone used a stud welder and a slide hammer to remove any dents. Is it usable on aluminum? From what I can tell it would be a good solution. No holes to drill or inside gutting to get to the dent? I have a local body shop around the corner and am going to pull over to see what they say. But if able to do myself and save $$ I would rather try myself. Not looking for a factory finish just pleasing to the eye.
Thanks for any info
James
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1970 Overlander
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11-29-2007, 01:54 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2012 28' International
Currently Looking...
New Orleans
, Louisiana
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,077
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Flintstones
Has anyone used a stud welder and a slide hammer to remove any dents. Is it usable on aluminum? From what I can tell it would be a good solution. No holes to drill or inside gutting to get to the dent? I have a local body shop around the corner and am going to pull over to see what they say. But if able to do myself and save $$ I would rather try myself. Not looking for a factory finish just pleasing to the eye.
Thanks for any info
James
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I would like to hear what they have to say. The skin may be to thin. I looked at a stud-welding site but did not feel like figuring out all the details.
__________________
Jim N5TJZ Air# 174
2012 International Serenity 28
2005 Safari 25 SS Traded
1968 Globetrotter Sold
2011 F150 Ecoboost
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11-29-2007, 01:58 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1977 27' Overlander
Trotwood
, Ohio
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,153
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I would NOT try it. Stud welders are made for steel. Alumunium is too soft and melts easily.When U melt a hole in a panel U will have more problems than a dent.
Roger
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11-29-2007, 02:02 PM
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#4
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4 Rivet Member
1970 27' Overlander
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
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Harbor Freight
Harbor Freight has one (stud welder) for 139.00 and it comes with a slide hammer and 100 studs. I know they are on the cheap end but if it works, what the hey.
James
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1970 Overlander
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11-29-2007, 02:11 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
Vintage Kin Owner
Virginia Beach
, Virginia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 7,801
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I agree!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mikethefixit
I would NOT try it. Stud welders are made for steel. Alumunium is too soft and melts easily.When U melt a hole in a panel U will have more problems than a dent.
Roger
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Unless you are willing to test out the concept with a piece of aluminum scrap first (match thickness and alloy type) you could be putting your whole airstream into worse shape than before you started.
Try finding an aircraft airframe mechanic - these people are experts at just this kind of repair.
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Today is a gift, that's why they call it the present.
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11-29-2007, 03:54 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,530
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It will not work period. The alloy of the aluminum Airstreams are made of is a non weldable alloy
Kip
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11-29-2007, 06:08 PM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
1970 27' Overlander
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 272
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Dang!!
Thanks fo the reply's. . . Oh well, that settles that. I am taking our AS to the body shop next week to see what he says, when I talked to him on the phone today he said he has several different options available? I will let yall know what he says. Can the endcap inside be cut to access the dents and re-fiberglassed with any success?
thanks
James
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1970 Overlander
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11-29-2007, 06:11 PM
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#8
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418
2007 25' Safari FB SE
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1974 29' Ambassador
Yucca Valley
, California
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: 1963 26' Overlander
Posts: 4,804
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You can get similar results by using a suction cup dent puller. Unless, of course, you have badly creased metal, in which case the studs won't help much, either.
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11-29-2007, 06:49 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2007 27' Classic FB
Havelock
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 61
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What about those guys that say they can pull dents from your car without affecting the paint? I think they use some sort of glue to attach a puller. Probably similar to a slide. I think I saw a kit in one of those auto body magazines.
I guess after looking it looks a lot like these Auto Body Toolmart - Glue Pulling Dent Repair
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04-24-2009, 08:53 AM
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#10
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4 Rivet Member
1975 31' Sovereign
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 494
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Promises Promises
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Flintstones
Thanks fo the reply's. . . Oh well, I am taking our AS to the body shop next week to see what he says, when I talked to him on the phone today he said he has several different options available? I will let yall know what he says. Can the endcap inside be cut to access the dents and re-fiberglassed with any success?
thanks
James
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Ok Fred er Barney, Wilma, whoever...
Hows about the long-awaited follow-up you promised...?
How'd the dents get in the cap area and did you ever cut a hole inside the inner cap? I would think that could be done but I'm thinking only a fiberglass artist (pro) could patch it back well. I'd never do it that way.
Also the pain, frustration and difficulty of dropping (actually of re-hanging it) the inner cap "aint" no fun either so I've read.
Sure curious about the glue on stud idea. And if it would apply.
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04-24-2009, 12:59 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1979 30' Argosy
Havelock
, where we park it
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,652
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I have used stud welders for years doing body repair. As far as I know they only work on steel and then sometimes they will pull off and the metal will come with it leaving a small hole. If you can find one that works on aluminum I would not use it for that reason.
Marvin
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Marvin & Annie
Niki (fur baby)
1979 Argosy 30 (Costalotta)
WBCCI 10103
"Happiness is a warm Puppy" Charles Schulz
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04-24-2009, 04:27 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1992 34' Excella
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 563
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Find a body shop that's got a suction cup slide hammer - not the cheap Auto Zone type but rather the kind that you hook up to an air compressor to generate the hard vacuum necessary to get a firm grip.
There's even a member of the forums here who has one that he takes to rallies along with a compressor and makes lots of new friends every time he gets it out. I can't remember his forum handle however - so maybe someone else can fill this info in.
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Crusty
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."
Lake Travis, TX
"Rancho Deluxe"
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