Welding Question

[NickB]

The Post that holds up my electronics box has developed a crack half way around just under the collor that is flush with the box. Can anyone recommend the best way to fix this. Complete replacement of the post? Weld it possibly? I figure replacing the post would be the easiest solution as I am concernered with sparks from the welder damaging my canvas top.

[Greenponded]

Not sure about what needs to be done, but when I spoke to a T-Top fabricator about modifying and existing top, he recommended that it be totally removed before repairing, so that the fiberglass wouldn't be exposed, also to take off the canvas. :mad: Good luck. Maybe your guy is more adventurous.
Ed

[lemaymiami]

I've had more experience with cracked aluminum than I've ever wanted... A competent marine welder should be able to repair your problem. He (or she) will remove the part if necessary or re-weld it in place if that's possible with a heat blanket (to protect the fiberglass) in place after removing the canvas if it would be affected. Here's the problem that you'll still be facing: once you've got a crack in a weld it may indicate corrosion inside the piping. In other words this might only be the first repair... You'll also note the weld will not be the same color as other welds because of mineral contamination in that area. I have a poling tower that's been re-welded three or four times now. This week I'm going to have the measurements done to build a new one and I figure that's probably what I should have done in the first place. Of course my gear is getting used daily and it takes a beating, but anything used in rough waters is taking a pounding, even it it's only once a month. Good Luck.

[NickB]

Thanks guys for the advice. I am going to look into replacing the post. We fish the boat hard and with the pounding I just don't think the weld will last and I don't want this to be a yearly event. Thanks again.