75′ Burger Yacht Diane hull refit

  75’ Burger Yacht Diane was in Fort Lauderdale undergoing a yacht hull refit by Dolfab Metal Fabrication to replace corroded areas. In order to repair the damage to the hull, it was necessary to not just repair, but actually replace sections of the yacht’s structure. To accomplish this hull refit job, Dolfab crew cut … Continue reading “75′ Burger Yacht Diane hull refit”

 

75’ Burger Yacht Diane was in Fort Lauderdale undergoing a yacht hull refit by Dolfab Metal Fabrication to replace corroded areas. In order to repair the damage to the hull, it was necessary to not just repair, but actually replace sections of the yacht’s structure.

To accomplish this hull refit job, Dolfab crew cut out sections of the hull, welding in strongbacks to keep it from warping. The strongbacks are necessary to ensure the vessel retains its shape. When a section of the hull is missing, it creates an uneven distribution of weight. This undue stress on the hull structure then leads to deviations in the lines and shape of the hull and will most definitely cause major problems later.

As the strongbacks were put in place and the damaged sections were removed, it was time to create new sections to replace them. Accuracy and precise measurements are paramount during the entire process, especially during this phase. These custom made metal pieces have to be measured, cut, and produced to exact measurements. Our team of expert metal workers cut, sanded, and polished large pieces of metal to fabricate these replacement pieces.

Once the new sections were ready, they were welded in place by our expert welders and the vessel was pressure-tested to ensure it was water-tight. The hull was then finished, painted, and brought back to life by the folks at Yacht Management, and the hull refit was complete. This Burger yacht is like brand new again!

View this project’s photos in our Project Gallery.

Welding Techniques – Part 2 of 2

In our last article, Welding Techniques – Part 1 of 2, we discussed two types of welding: Stick and MIG. These are two of the four most popular welding techniques used today. As promised, here in Welding Techniques – Part 2 of 2 we will talk about the other two techniques: TIG and Flux Core … Continue reading “Welding Techniques – Part 2 of 2”

In our last article, Welding Techniques – Part 1 of 2, we discussed two types of welding: Stick and MIG. These are two of the four most popular welding techniques used today. As promised, here in Welding Techniques – Part 2 of 2 we will talk about the other two techniques: TIG and Flux Core Arc welding.

 

TIG Welding

TIG welding, also known as Gas Tungsten Arc Welding is a form of arc welding that uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode in conjunction with an inert  shielding gas. The gas (helium or argon) is used to protect the weld from airborne contaminants. TIG welding was developed in the aircraft industry and patented in 1941. TIG welding is used to weld thin non ferrous metals such as stainless steel, magnesium, and copper.  While slower than some of the other types of welding TIG welding produces a stronger weld and gives the user more precise control of their work. Tig welding, being a more precise type of welding, requires practice and patience before it can be mastered.

 

Flux Core Arc Welding

Flux Core Arc Welding- otherwise known as  FCAW or FCA is a semi-automatic or automatic welding technique. Flux core arc welding was developed in the 1950s as an alternative  to shielded metal arc welding. FCAW uses a tubular flux filled wire instead of a shielded gas. Added to the flux are chemicals that when heated produce a gas to protect the weld. This type of welding is very similar to MIG welding as it uses a continuous wire feed during welding. The main difference between the two types of welding is that MIG welding uses a shielded gas, and FCAW does not need a shielded gas to protect the weld  from contaminants in the air. Flux Core Arc Welding is versatile and fast and can produce up to 5 times more welds per hour than MIG welding. This type of welding was patented in 1959, and to this day is very popular for non-critical welds.

 

Dolfab’s welders are well versed in the techniques necessary for custom metal fabrication in all manner of applications: t-top construction, fuel tank construction, fuel tank repair, RV repair, yacht refits, and even delicate staircase railings.

 

Photo courtesy of Hotrod.com