MIG or TIG on an aluminum speed boat

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I have a question about which gear to use and what you think my chances of success are welding an aluminum speedboat.I have a friend who badly smashed up an aluminum speedboat. He's willing to buy the gear needed to weld it. We're shopping for gear in a small town in Venezuela so there's not a lot of choice of machines. But there is a MIG and a TIG machine for sale, and I beleive there's a place that has argon gas.I've never MIG or TIG welded but I have some field experience with stick welding.My friend did find a MIG and a TIG machine for sale, though the owner says "they won't weld aluminum". What are the requirements for a MIG or TIG machine for welding thin aluminum? I've seen very expensive and fancy units demonstrated on YouTube welding Coke cans. I certainly won't be able to get a machine like that.My friend is going to get the model number of the machines for sale and I'll post them when I have them.So what are my chances of being successful starting out with MIG or TIG with possibly less than ideal gear on an aluminum speedboat? What's your gut feeling?Any input would be appreciated!Thanks!Greg
Reply:No experience, no or less than ideal equipment, aluminum speedboat.....I think you'd be wasting your time and money, but that's just my opinion.  You asked...My name's not Jim....
Reply:have someone local fix it for you since you lack the skill set to fix it properlyMiller Xmt 350Lincoln Ln-25Ahp 200xSmith Gas Mixer AR/HTig is my Kung FuThrowing down dimes and weaving aboutInstagram http://instagram.com/[email protected]
Reply:Guys,  OK, thanks for your honesty. I guess I'll have to take a course or find someone who will teach me TIG.Greg
Reply:Just a bit more info. The TIG welder my friend found for sale is a:Chicago Electric TIG 240 volt and says it is an Inverter Arc / TIG welderDoes this up my chances?Greg
Reply:Originally Posted by takoateliDoes this up my chances?Greg
Reply:Originally Posted by takoateliJust a bit more info. The TIG welder my friend found for sale is a:Chicago Electric TIG 240 volt and says it is an Inverter Arc / TIG welderDoes this up my chances?Greg
Reply:To everyone who posted, Thanks! : - )I realize from what everyone wrote that this is not a job that I'm capable of doing. I'm not going to be attempting the project. Maybe someday I can have someone teach me TIG.It looks really easy on YouTube though.: - )Greg
Reply:aluminum boat stuff seems to be an art of it's own......(That in my opinion is why there are so many rivets) thin skin aluminum doesn't like to be welded because of warpageissues......mig or tig.... I consider myself a good aluminum welder and I pass on boat stuff every time.......Take it to a shop that does that stuff everyday and you will be much happier.....  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by takoateliTo everyone who posted, Thanks! : - )I realize from what everyone wrote that this is not a job that I'm capable of doing. I'm not going to be attempting the project. Maybe someday I can have someone teach me TIG.It looks really easy on YouTube though.: - )Greg
Reply:Thanks to everyone who posted. It's very kind and generous of you to share what you know with those who need help.I realize that it would not be wise to try to learn TIG welding on a thin aluminum speedboat with probably less than ideal equipment. From what I saw on YouTube just the setup of the machine is very involved and critical. Then add in the required skill and practice and things like back gassing and I realize I'm out of my league. So I've already called the job off. Thanks for all the input.Greg
Reply:Originally Posted by BoostinjdmNo experience, no or less than ideal equipment, aluminum speedboat.....I think you'd be wasting your time and money, but that's just my opinion.  You asked...
Reply:Originally Posted by B_Caluminum boat stuff seems to be an art of it's own......(That in my opinion is why there are so many rivets) thin skin aluminum doesn't like to be welded because of warpageissues......mig or tig.... I consider myself a good aluminum welder and I pass on boat stuff every time.......Take it to a shop that does that stuff everyday and you will be much happier.....
Reply:When you finally get somebody to weld it for you, ask them to do it with 5356. My reason for saying that is it will stay a good color match, 4043 will turn darker shades of grey or black when it stays in the water for a while.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:I find that the harder you get with your filler the higher the Chances of cracking become, your correct about using 5356Where anodizing is incorrperated but I would be careful with 5356On thin material and go the other direction looking for workabilityRather than shear strength. Even as far as 1100  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Anything dealing with salt water = why did I get involved wth this!
Reply:For you first aluminum project I would avoid anything that need to be water/air tight.  I weld aluminum boats for a living(construction and repairs) and it took me five years before I was allowed to do anything more than structural non-water tight supports.  With enough under the hood time, you will be able to get there.  Just know that since you learned stick first,  chances are that it will much harder for you to learn aluminum.  Going from steel to aluminum is typically harder because people have a hard time moving so fast.