Need Info - Welding Services

[tranquilcs]

I have a Bruce Roberts metal sailboat which I am refurbishing and eventually outfitting as a live aboard.

I have stripped a great deal of the furniture to get at the hull plate in sections that require new hull plating.

I am looking for a welder or welding company that can cut out and weld in the new plate. Google searches for boat welding does not revel much in the way of experienced metal boat builders.

I live in Ontario, and the boat is on the hard in the Caledon area.

Any advice or info on welders in this part of the world?

Thanks,

Chris

[frank_f]

A welder with a pressure ticket would be able to handle that.

Really, any welder could do it but pressure welders have experience in curved surface welding.

[Lepke]

In the US insurance rates may be affected if not welded by a certified (stick, tig, etc.) welder.

[Reefmagnet]

You don't want a welder so much as a metal fabricator who can weld. Much of your work will involve cutting out old metal, preparation and shaping new metal to fit prior to welding. In Oz we call these guys "boilermakers" - not sure if you call them the same over there. Anyway most boilermakers tend to be qualified welders as well so you shouldn't have any problems finding the right guy. The best approach is to ask around and find a guy looking for work on the side that has his own tools, and that will take cash payment (wink, wink)

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Chris.

Since Caledon isn’t exactly Ontario’s boating Mecca, you’ll need a mobile welder.

You might ask (if they can recommend someone) someone like
Kemp Boats
Pointe au Baril, ON Canada P0G 1K0
Phone: 705-366-2001 Fax: 705-366-2069
Email: the_ironworker@xplornet.com

➥ Kemp welded aluminum Boats

[frank_f]

Caledon is on the #10 between Brampton and Orangeville isn't it?

If so, Gord's absolutely correct. There should be a plethora of mobile welders around you. I'd still get a pressure guy because they are usually fabricators, have to make their work look good and are experienced in internal and external pressure requirement welding.

Slap and dash is fine (I guess) for some things but a hunk of metal welded over a hole just doesn't look right on a boat.

Gord's sig says it all.

[tranquilcs]

Thanks for all the great tips.


Starting to make the calls now...everything is ready for the work...just need the welder.

[tranquilcs]

Welder found!

Thanks all.

(Now posting in the "painting" section to get advice for the next steps! )