Cost of welding aluminum

[hairball]

My 84 Tracker has developed a pretty good sized crack right at the bow, at the very top. Had a guy (who was highly recommended) look at it yesterday and he gave me a price range of $200 to $500 and guaranteed it would not go over that price. I know absolutely nothing about any form of welding, so I was wondering if these prices are typical and is it normal to quote such a wide price range?

[EZGO]

Check your p.m.

[Stonewall2002]

Do it yourself.... this stuff does a great job! $35 per pound!

http://www.alumiweld.com/h2uaw.html

Keep on chuckin'

[GeoFisher]

Do it yourself.... this stuff does a great job! $35 per pound!

http://www.alumiweld.com/h2uaw.html

Keep on chuckin'

I've used this.......but it is REALLY, REALLY hard to weld above your head with this stuff.

if you have a hole in the bottom of the boat..........forget it. BUT if you can use this and do it "even" or on a downward angle........if that makes sense, then this will work fine.

Also, you have to be careful with welding on your boat, because you have lots of stuff up there that will burn. Trolling motor wiring, light wiring, foam flotation, etc, etc. All that stuff will begin to melt before the welding rods will.......TRUST ME.......I KNOW.

Later,

Geo

[lunkerbustin]

If you don't have a lot of time and patience I wouldn't use alumiweld. It is hard to use. Just like was already said if something is close that will melt and or burn it will. Check around with other people who weld for prices. If you have a fabrication shop near you ask them if they weld aluminum. With this economy the way it is they will probably want the work.

[onemorecast56]

I got some sticks of alumiweld i`ll give you or bring me your boat and I`ll fix it,,,i`m totally rebuilding a tx-17 from the hull up,,,cracks everywhere,,,if you want to see pic`s let me know

[gillman]

I'll welded for 30 year, so believe you me take your boat to a good welder. And there will need to be a lot of pret before welding is done.

[hairball]

I got some sticks of alumiweld i`ll give you or bring me your boat and I`ll fix it,,,i`m totally rebuilding a tx-17 from the hull up,,,cracks everywhere,,,if you want to see pic`s let me know

I sincerely appreciate the offer, but you're a bit too far away - I'm in northern Ky. I'm within walking distance from Cincinnati.

[Procraft Cat]

My 84 Tracker has developed a pretty good sized crack right at the bow, at the very top. Had a guy (who was highly recommended) look at it yesterday and he gave me a price range of $200 to $500 and guaranteed it would not go over that price. I know absolutely nothing about any form of welding, so I was wondering if these prices are typical and is it normal to quote such a wide price range?

Hey hairball..I weld for a living and do aluminum work everyday. If your quote was from a qualified welder/fabricator,I think they were gouging you a bit..just my opinion.

Nearly all aluminum work that is done is between $70-$90 an hour. If they were estimating the prep work(removing wires,foam,anything)then maybe I could see $200. A crack in the bottom of a hull needs welded and patched to be done properly.

Do all the prep work your self and have a welder take over. Shouldn't be over $100. Just my .2