Alternative to welding aluminum frame of Komet?

I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4

On Oct 19, 11:40*am, Bruno wrote:
I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4

A friend has the same problem with his Komet. We were talking to a
welding guy and he mentioned that it could be Stitch Welded, dunno
what that means, but worth a try.

Brad

On Oct 19, 11:40*am, Bruno wrote:
I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4

Now I'm going to have to look at my trailer more closely. I know all
the structure of the bottom half is steel, and I had assumed the top
was too! (My trailer is late 70's vintage). Where are your welds
cracked? If there is access, it can be re-welded. Otherwise, gussets,
epoxy, and rivets. IMO, just putting epoxy (or any type of glue/
cement/bonding agent) in the places the welds have cracked won't take
care of the problem.

On Oct 19, 12:15*pm, Brad wrote:
On Oct 19, 11:40*am, Bruno wrote:

I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4

A friend has the same problem with his Komet. We were talking to a
welding guy and he mentioned that it could be Stitch Welded, dunno
what that means, but worth a try.

Brad

That's a technique of doing a lot of short welds, spread way apart,
letting those cool, then doing another series of short welds between
the first batch, and repeating until the weld is continuous. Keeps you
from cooking the fiberglass.

if you're afraid of welding heat and don't want to remove the top (I would
dare to say they is a pretty big job, why not look at adding a few aluminum
sheet gussets where the cracks are...typically mechanical fasteners can be
as strong or stronger than the welded aluminum joints if properly done. Even
(good) high strength Pop-Rivets could be use easily to attached the gussets.
tim
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website at www.wingsandwheels.com

"Bruno" wrote in message
...
I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4

Bruno wrote:
I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Considering what a trailer is meant to bear and how long it will
hopefuly remain in use, I would bite the bullet, remove the top and have
the welding job done by a pro without compromises.

On Oct 19, 2:47*pm, John Smith wrote:
Bruno wrote:
I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Considering what a trailer is meant to bear and how long it will
hopefuly remain in use, I would bite the bullet, remove the top and have
the welding job done by a pro without compromises.

Actually most good welders can do it without too much heat. Also you
can usually slip an asbestos shield with a wet rag behind the welds to
minimize the heat transfer to the glass matrix. There should be no
need to pull the whole top off. I have seen several and helped get
one welded a few years ago.

I agree with Tim, alu welds are much weaker.
Gussets and bolts are much stronger.
The most likely reason the weld broke, vibration.
Udo

On Oct 19, 3:48*pm, "Tim Mara" wrote:
if you're afraid of welding heat and don't want to remove the top (I would
dare to say they is a pretty big job, why not look at adding a few aluminum
sheet gussets where the cracks are...typically mechanical fasteners can be
as strong or stronger than the welded aluminum joints if properly done. Even
(good) high strength Pop-Rivets could be use easily to attached the gussets.
tim
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website atwww.wingsandwheels.com

"Bruno" wrote in message

...



I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

On Oct 19, 5:23*pm, Udo wrote:
I agree with Tim, alu welds are much weaker.
Gussets and bolts are much stronger.
The most likely reason the weld broke, vibration.
Udo

On Oct 19, 3:48*pm, "Tim Mara" wrote:



if you're afraid of welding heat and don't want to remove the top (I would
dare to say they is a pretty big job, why not look at adding a few aluminum
sheet gussets where the cracks are...typically mechanical fasteners can be
as strong or stronger than the welded aluminum joints if properly done. Even
(good) high strength Pop-Rivets could be use easily to attached the gussets.
tim
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website atwww.wingsandwheels.com

"Bruno" wrote in message

...

I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Agree with Udo
..060 aluminum gussets, Cherry Max rivets.
Good for life
UH

On Oct 19, 3:49*pm, wrote:
On Oct 19, 5:23*pm, Udo wrote:



I agree with Tim, alu welds are much weaker.
Gussets and bolts are much stronger.
The most likely reason the weld broke, vibration.
Udo

On Oct 19, 3:48*pm, "Tim Mara" wrote:

if you're afraid of welding heat and don't want to remove the top (I would
dare to say they is a pretty big job, why not look at adding a few aluminum
sheet gussets where the cracks are...typically mechanical fasteners can be
as strong or stronger than the welded aluminum joints if properly done. Even
(good) high strength Pop-Rivets could be use easily to attached the gussets.
tim
Please visit the Wings & Wheels website atwww.wingsandwheels.com

"Bruno" wrote in message

....

I just noticed that a few of the welds on the top aluminum framework
of my Komet trailer have broken. *Maybe I am just lazy but I am
concerned about getting the welds redone with the fiberglass top right
next to it. *Does anyone have any suggestions for a good bonding agent
to use on the broken welds?

Thanks,
Bruno - B4- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Agree with Udo
.060 aluminum gussets, Cherry Max rivets.
Good for life
UH

Thanks all for the replies. I was hoping that someone would say JB-
Weld would work great but I think I am going to have to bite the
bullet and try my hand at doing a few rivets and aluminum gussets. I
am glad I saw the broken welds when I did last night. They are on
both sides of the bar that holds my stabilizer to the roof. I only
had a few screws attached to the ceiling holding that half of the
stabilizer holder up into the roof. Yikes! I would recommend
everyone the next time they are in their trailer to look at the welds
up in the corners of their trailer roof for breaks.

Thanks,
Bruno - B4