Built a new rudder, first time w/ a torch...

[Zippifried]

Hey Folks,

I went out and bought a "Burnz-O-Matic" torch kit ($20)(came w/ some "silver" solder, not sure of content), and a "welding kit" ($20)(Same packaging and manuf as what Eddieh mentioned in the Brazing Aluminum post, though this is not the alu version of that kit- they had that at the Northern here, for like $9.95, I think I'll go back and pick it up! LOL).

I didn't try the solder, as I have no clue of the silver content- I may try that next time, but for now, this stuff seems to be PLENTY strong enough.

I bought a couple pieces of brass, picked a shape, cut it out, cut some rod, and welded for the first time.. I think it turned out OK, here's a PIC! It took a couple tries to get the heat / flux / heat / flow timing down, but here's the result.

I think I came pretty close to the BBY rudder... Maybe a tad longer.. ;) This is rough sanded w/ like 100 grit, so there's more sanding and polishing to go! :)

Take Care,
Paul

PS- Flux came with the torch AND the welding kit, I used the welding kit's flux with the welding kit's rods... :) AND, the metal cutting, edge grinding, and slotting of the shaft where done with ONLY a Dremel!!! .025" brass sheet, 5/32" rod, not tubing. I wanted to recreate the weight of the BBY rudder. It looks and feels close... Cool part, with the brass I bought, I can make 3 more of these puppies!

[eddieh]

Paul, Very Nice!, how small a flame will that kit go to? I have been eyeballing that for awhile, anyway very nice job!!!, cheers eddie

[Zippifried]

Hey Eddie,

The flame will go down to about 1/2" (maybe 1/4" or even less? I could trim it down to where it'd burn and I could see NO blue flame!), but then, I cooked this stuff with more like an inch's worth... tip of flame to surface, moving constantly, removed heat, applied rod, reapplied heat, until enough was built up... Magic happened at some point, flow reached up into the slot of the 5/32" brass rod, filling it from one end, out through the other!

I was working outside, with a slight breeze... I looked at a micro-torch, wasn't sure it'd give enough heat, figured, "Overkill is OK for this scenario", and bit a couple bucks vice a micro torch, butane, and the silver solder and flux package. My thought, I can build the rudder mounts as one long strip of brass welded to a tube, and cut out mounts from that, so I'd need more heat... Also, I thought the larger propane tank would last much longer than the butane... PLUS, other large uses!!! :)

The "lead free" silver solder they include, it has NO markings to show the % of silver! I might try and look it up, but with the results YOU had from the Alu welding kit, I just went with the welding kit and this torch, vice the solder included with the torch.

The same welding kit I got is on the BAC Industries site mentioned in the Alu Brazing post... below the Alu kit on the page, if I remember right. ;)

And, THANKS! It was my first try, first torch, I can solder pretty well, but "welding" is new to me... At first, I tried the flux cold, that didn't fly... Once I heated the metal THEN applied flux, I was in business!!!

In all, my thought, I'll be building enough hardware, and can find enough uses to make this purchase WELL worth it!!! I'm already imagining brass sheet metal jigs for building struts!!! Next step, ALUMINUM! :) Then, I'm off to "lightweight" hardware that doesn't tarnish!! hahahaha...

If anyone knows of a good source of stainless steel sheet and rod, let me know!!! For now, it's the limited K&S stock of the LHS's...

Take Care!
Paul

[eddieh]

Paul, when Brazing especially with aluminum the trick is heating all the metal up, so I think this sounds kicking!, as for your stainless or other hard to find goodies, try
http://www.mcmaster.com/ put stainless in the search bar, this site is getting so beyond cool !!!!! cheers eddie

[Ryan_from_OHio]

So you brazed your rudder?

Cool.

I plan on soldering mine up. I got some lead free solder. It doesnt say its silver. But boy this stuff is tuff. Used for plumbing houses, thus the lead free.

I have "silver" bearing solder (2% silver) this stuff is next to useless for structural stuff.

When I put a pinion gear on a motor thats gonna turn over 90,000 RPMs I sure as heck dont want it to break loose.

I just got done designing up some hardware for my ovalmaster. I based my drive off Randy's setup and Nates reccomendations. Instead of 1.5" or 3+" I went with 2.5".

Should have something by tomorrow? I made a motor mount also....

The joy of building your own :)

[eddieh]

Hey Guys , this might be a good site for some of you guys some useful info just a thought take a look
http://www.handyharmancanada.com/TheBrazingBook/contents.htm#Index
cheers eddie

[twmaster]

Looking good Paul! Remind me to send you the rudder and propshaft to the DV I gave you.

What store were you in that had the alu welding kit like Eddie mentioned? I cannot find that stuff here.

[Zippifried]

Hey Mike,

It's a company called "Northern"... about 2 or 3 miles down the road from me, if you like, I can see about picking you up a package! If I recall, there was plenty in stock.

Hey Eddie,

GREAT Links!!! The first one, I keep hashing through, they've got TONS of stuff! Good prices, too! Very cool!

Take Care, Guys!
Paul

[twmaster]

Originally posted by Zippifried
Hey Mike,

It's a company called "Northern"... about 2 or 3 miles down the road from me, if you like, I can see about picking you up a package! If I recall, there was plenty in stock.

Hey Eddie,

GREAT Links!!! The first one, I keep hashing through, they've got TONS of stuff! Good prices, too! Very cool!

Take Care, Guys!
Paul

Ha! get some bouys up before the water gets hard and I'll come down and spank your VS with my VC and pick up the welding stuff myself!

Later!

[Zippifried]

Originally posted by twmaster


Ha! get some bouys up before the water gets hard and I'll come down and spank your VS with my VC and pick up the welding stuff myself!

Later!

OOOhhhhh.... My, how bold!!! hahahaha... "spank", eh? :) How about, you come down here, I'll spank YOUR boat! :) I got props on the way, Buddy, so LOOK OUT! :) I'm in line for tweak-central, so MUAHAHAHA!!! :) Hull lightening, further edge sharpening (inevitable after rockage at OH), prop work, new rudder(s), timing adjustments, trim adjustments, running time, heck, I've considered removing the third (rear sponson) ride point to adjust to "prop ride" the back half with it riding like it has been....

Our lake never freezes (Ok, once, the first of the four years we've been here), I love the cold, winter DOES NOT BOTHER ME, so this "end of season" stuff only complicates running here in ONE INSTANCE! Falling Leaves!!! hahahahaha... Freezing cold? Motors run cooler, batt's run cooler, Pit's are in the house, so plenty warm there, 32 F outside? No problemo!!! :)

Hey, any gripes on me turning the DV into a rescue boat? Hull's heavy, tons of lightening to make it "move", chop and drop, etc... Thinking, good base for an OH workalike... ;) That, or I go for a PVC / Styro lead-acid powered monstrosity!!! That OH rescue boat was WAY too useful!!!

Take Care,
Paul

[twmaster]

Hehe,

Pack a lunch ole buddy, it's gonna be a long day! I don't mind if the DV becomes a rescue boat. Damn fine use IMO.

Lemme know when.