Thread: Welding bisalloy

Originally Posted by ian

Hi Justin

there's a vast difference in risk between a yacht keel and wear plates on a dump truck. If a wear plate weld fails, the consequences are minor to insignificant -- the production manager will be a little peeved that one of his trucks is off the raod being repaired, but otherwise who really cares.

But if a yacht keel falls off
the vessel capsizes
people are lost at sea
coroner and police are involved
responsible parties loose house, livelihood, reputation, go to jail (in some countries manslaughter is a capital offence)

I think a yacht keels call for prudence and as close to 100% perfect as you can get

Hence why I'm wondering why its being made from Bisalloy, you can't go wrong with mild steel in that application unless we are talking a much more exotic type of craft. I was in the marine industry for many years and can tell you first hand the quality of workmanship on the predominately DIY boats would make a lot of welders on this forum cringe. Not small boats either. 30, 40 50 plus foot. But they never failed or leaked. (nothing a bit of epoxy couldn't fix)

Many yachts simply have a large chunk of lead very rudimentary bolted to the hull. Again unless this is some relatively exotic craft the boat industry is nothing like the building to aircraft standards.

Cheers

Justin

Originally Posted by Barterbuilt

Wow Not quite the response I expected.
Don't quite know where to start.

I am self employed, that should explain the why.
And I didn't say that I was a rank amateur.
I just haven't personally welded bis.
And I don't do shoddy work.

Being self employed for nearly fifteen years I have a full understanding of product liability.
And many of the products I make have to be independently certified by an external lab to pass Australian standards.
I am also aware of the excalibur incident, but who would cut and butt weld a keel?

This site was not to be the only source of information and supervision.
I just thought it would be a good thread for readers to also learn something new? Not sure if they did.
How is it that someone can get experience without actually doing something?

You are all correct though, it is not a job to get wrong.
Best let the kids eat weetbix then have to give Big Bubba a tune up for the next 10 years.

Sorry if this sounds like a backlash, it isn't.
I know that you all had my best interests in mind.
Guess my pride took a dint. Hmmmm

Thanks
Andrew

I wouldn't let your pride take a beating I think the sentiment was using relatively exotic materials on what should be a simple task with simple materials.

I would really like to know more about the yacht, size, type and intended use? Is it an exotic craft or a pleasure craft?

To be honest after reading the pdf i posted I think you should be able to do it but I think that would be subject to how big this keel will end up being and its ultimate end use.

Cheers

Justin

Sometimes this is the problem when a lack of information is first given. If you have given this info upfront the responses would have been far different with your back ground in mind. By no means were the posts any way to have a go at you but as support if you were very inexperienced.
While speaking of experience with what you said in your last post you are right in what you said but when doing something like this you should seek advice and guidance from fellow welders face to face. I dont think you can afford to "practice" to gain experience possibly on this one and only keel. Its great that you have a good sense of integrity by doing the right thing by your customers and yourself. We would live to see pics of your other work.
Keep us updated with the keel and if you do go ahead with the job post up some pics. Please dont take comments personally because on this forum we all try to look out for each other.

The boat in question is a 47 ft racing yacht. I'm told it is quite famous.
Hence the use of the bis keel. It was built to take the pounding of offshore racing.
These boats are built above what would normally be required and no expence is spared.

The boat is now in the process of being converted into a social cruiser.
The keel is approx 3 meters long with somewhere between 1.5 and 2 tons of lead on the bottom.
They want it shortened by 1 meter to allow for coastal cruising.
The customer is also quite famous and knows what he is doing.

I say 'practice' because as we all know if you don't keep your hand in you get a bit rusty, especially with the tig.
I needed a little practice with ally welding, both mig and tig so I built this.

I have already told the customer I won't do the job, so there won't be any more photo's it