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Dolfab is Certified Partner at Lauderdale Marine Center

We’re very proud to announce that Dolfab has been designated as one of Lauderdale Marine Center’s Certified Partners. This change comes under Lauderdale Marine Center’s new management, and is a testament to their dedication to the highest marine quality standards. Lauderdale Marine Center is the largest yacht repair facility in the United States. They … Continue reading “Dolfab is Certified Partner at Lauderdale Marine Center”

We’re very proud to announce that Dolfab has been designated as one of Lauderdale Marine Center’s Certified Partners.

This change comes under Lauderdale Marine Center’s new management, and is a testament to their dedication to the highest marine quality standards.

Lauderdale Marine Center

Lauderdale Marine Center is the largest yacht repair facility in the United States. They employ a rigorous system of checks and balances that require all preferred vendors to maintain specific certifications in order to remain in good standing. We at Dolfab exceeded these requirements. We’re OSHA Certified and have our Hot Work Permits, in addition to many other industry certifications applicable to specific projects.

At Lauderdale Marine Center, customers can rest assured that they are dealing with true marine professionals who have the credentials and the experience to handle their toughest yacht repair projects. Dolfab offers yacht refit project management and execution, fuel tank repair, custom fuel tank fabrication, engine room brightwork, and a myriad of other services related to custom metal work on vessels from t-top fishing boats to luxury superyachts.

Being a Certified Vendor at Lauderdale Marine Center further reinforces our commitment to customer satisfaction and to being a leader in the marine industry.

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”

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

Welding Techniques – Part 1 of 2

Let’s talk technique! Here at Dolfab we pride ourselves on our workmanship and skill. We take on jobs that other companies may turn away. We can do this because we provide a broad range of welding services. From a polished stainless steel handrail to replacing an aluminum hull side in a yacht we know we … Continue reading “Welding Techniques – Part 1 of 2”

Let’s talk technique!

Here at Dolfab we pride ourselves on our workmanship and skill. We take on jobs that other companies may turn away. We can do this because we provide a broad range of welding services. From a polished stainless steel handrail to replacing an aluminum hull side in a yacht we know we have the in house expertise. Not all projects will need the same treatment and different techniques can be needed. There are at least four welding techniques that are most common- in this article, we’ll cover two of these.

Stick welding

Stick Welding, aka Shielded Metal Arc Welding, may be responsible to making welding into an art. Widely used to this day, stick welding gained popularity in the 1920’s because of its versatility and ease of use in welding steel. Stick welding uses a consumable welding rod made out of metal with a flux coating. The rod arcs against the part or metal that is being welded. The rod melts and forms a pool of metal which then forms a joint when cooled. Stick welders, being small and mobile, were used everywhere from your local auto repair center to building structures for the construction industry. Chances are you may know someone who has a stick welder in their home garage. As technology got better stick welding took a back seat to the next welding technique…

MIG welding

MIG or Metal Inert Gas welding was introduced in the 1940’s. Mig welding uses high voltage to melt and fuse metals together. Instead of the welding rod used in stick welding, MIG welding uses a welding gun that uses an electrode wire and a shielded gas. When the trigger is pulled the gas and wire pass through the gun. The gas is used to keep the process from being contaminated. While mig welding was designed for welding nonferrous metals such as aluminum, the process adapted to welding steel fairly quickly because of its speed and ease of use.

Continue to Welding Techniques – Part 2 of 2 to learn about TIG and FCAW techniques.

Are you in love with your yacht? When a yacht refit makes sense and how to choose a refitter

Yacht owners: If you’ve owned your yacht for any length of time you may find yourself at a crossroads of whether or not it’s time to start shopping for a new yacht or make necessary repairs to your existing vessel. It’s likely you have been on many memorable trips with friends and family that have … Continue reading “Are you in love with your yacht? When a yacht refit makes sense and how to choose a refitter”

Yacht owners: If you’ve owned your yacht for any length of time you may find yourself at a crossroads of whether or not it’s time to start shopping for a new yacht or make necessary repairs to your existing vessel. It’s likely you have been on many memorable trips with friends and family that have built lasting memories. When does it make sense to do a yacht refit? How do you go about choosing the right yacht refitter to do the job?

There are many things to take into consideration. Most newer yachts are loaded with new technology and systems. While these are great selling points, are these new systems in your best interests? The answer is not so simple. Most of the time a yacht owner or crew members know every inch of you vessel. When presented with a new yacht with new technologies they will find new issues will not be as easily rectified because of lack of knowledge, which can be costly and can certainly rack up lay days at the shipyard while your crew and or contractors learn on your dollar. This is where keeping and refitting you older vessel will be more cost effective in the long run.

When weighing the pros and cons of purchasing a new vessel or moving forward with a refit you’ll have to do the math. Here is an outline to help you get started.

1. Cost: Is your vessel beyond repair? If not, can you afford a refit? A yacht refit can consist of many different variables that may be hidden beneath the superstructure of your yacht.

There may be things happening below the surface that may be missed or will pop up while in the middle of a large refit, so it’s important to choose the right refitter. That leads to part two…

2. Estimates: When choosing the right yacht refitter, it doesn’t hurt to scour the internet looking for reviews of contractors. But your search will not end there! It’s important to get several estimates. The best estimate is not always the cheapest or most cost-effective. A bad refit can certainly cost more in the long run.

3. Planning: Choose a company that can build an estimate by planning the refit from prior refits along with experience. This is a crucial step in the process.

4. Skills: The right yacht refitter will specialize in what they do. Many refit yards hire different sub-contractors that bid on the job, and not to anyone’s surprise the job will go to the lowest bidder. That being said, YOU as the owner of you vessel should have some influence on who is performing your yacht refit. You should be able to feel comfortable with the refitter and not wonder about the final outcome.

5. Job Timeline: Having a good estimated timeline of when your refit will be finished is a good indicator of the quality of the contractor you’re hired. if your contractor cannot give you a timeline, this might be an indicator that they are not the right contractor for the job.

Choosing a company such as Dolfab will ensure that all the steps above are covered. We will walk you through your job from the very inception and do our very best to ensure all issues (obvious and hidden) will be taken into consideration. From the very beginning, we can even video document the entire refit job so there will be no questions that cannot be answered at the time of Commissioning.

Since 1984 Dolfab, Inc. has provided quality work held to the highest standards ensuring your beloved yacht will continue to make memories for you and your family.

AJAO Hull Restoration: Yacht Refitting

DolFab Metal Fabricators recently completed extensive repairs on the hull of Ajao, a beautiful 80’ Baglietto yacht. Ajao suffered from major corrosion to its hull due to an issue with the external exhaust system. The yacht almost sank due to this corrosion and demanded an array of extensive refinements. Dolfab was hired to perform … Continue reading “AJAO Hull Restoration: Yacht Refitting”

Dolfab was hired to perform repairs on the hull, fuel tanks, and bow. The process of repairing the Ajao was quite an undertaking. The scope of the project involved emptying the fuel tanks and removing corroded sections there, removing large sections of the yacht’s hull, replacing all the missing sections with customized new panels which were then welded into place, and finally pressure-testing the structure to ensure its seaworthiness.

The Dolfab crew found other issues on the yacht. The damaged hull created too much pressure and had caused the teak flooring on the bow to burst open. The team repaired and reinforced the structure of the bow, going through the forward bulkheads to ensure the yacht is seaworthy after all repairs are finished.

Ajao passed the pressure testing procedures and was scheduled for fiberglass repair and paint before it was relaunched earlier this month. Ajao has now been restored to its former glory!

DolFab has been working since 1984 in the commercial and private marine market to deliver custom metal fabrication and yacht finishing solutions in the Fort Lauderdale area.

Detaclad: Innovative Method that Offers High Sheer Strength & Quality

Welding is a common process which is used in a number of different industries such as chemicals, refining, engineering, metals, and mining. Earlier, conventional methods were used to join or fuse together two metals, however, now we have access to the latest technological advancements including tools and techniques that science has created to make … Continue reading “Detaclad: Innovative Method that Offers High Sheer Strength & Quality”

A peculiar new technology has come forth which uses the energy of controlled explosions to weld plates together. Explosion Welding Process or Detaclad, is a unique and robust technology that is in great demand these days and has been adopted by a number of different industries due to the advantages that it offers.

Detaclad technology is widely in practice all over the world and is implemented to fuse together two dissimilar metals. Explosion welding process is a step by step procedure that involves six phases such as: –

Plain Material Inspection
Grind Mating Surfaces
Assemble Backer, Cladder & Explosive
Explosion
Flatten & Cut
Testing ad Inspection

All these steps need to be followed in a sequence, in order to get the desired results. Significant precision is involved in all the stages to avoid errors. Even a small mistake can be significantly costly as all of the raw material will then have to be disposed off. With the help of explosion cladding, one can join unlimited range of compatible ad Non-compatible metals. The Cladding process creates ductile, high strength weld over the entire metal surface. Using Explosive Clad, there are many benefits over roll band and weld overlay. There are many different metals such as Titanium steel, aluminum steel, and aluminum copper which have been created by using explosion cladding technology rather than the conventional welding process.

In nutshell, we can say that Detaclad is a globally tested and proven technology. Products designed with explosive welding procedure have better design options, corrosion resistance and improved service life. Here at Dolfab we are very proud to say that we use this innovative and awesome technology. Check out the Dolfab project gallery to see the work we did on Life of Riley, a 113′ Burger yacht that underwent this process.

Coast Guard Certification on Marine Metal Fabrication

When hiring a welder for your vessel, make sure you are dealing with the US Coast Guard… the USCG has specific requirements that have to be met in order to be USCG Certified. There are a series of tests that include different types of welding and may consist of welding different thickness metals, penetration of … Continue reading “Coast Guard Certification on Marine Metal Fabrication”

When hiring a welder for your vessel, make sure you are dealing with the US Coast Guard… the USCG has specific requirements that have to be met in order to be USCG Certified.

There are a series of tests that include different types of welding and may consist of welding different thickness metals, penetration of the welds and most likely a bend test. If your vessel is being repaired the you may need a “CFR”: Condition-Found Report. This is a report submitted to the Contracting Officer’s Technical Representative, either in written or electronic format, describing the condition(s) found while performing a task specified in the work item, such as an inspection.

After the “CFR” we have “CIR”: Critical Inspection Report. This report is submitted to the COTR within the first 25 percent of the availability contract period, either in written or electronic format, describing the condition(s) found while performing a task specified in the work item, such as an inspection.

When the time comes to make a boat or yacht repair, one may shop price but it’s important to remember you get what you pay for. Quality is everything when it comes to the safety of your crew and family. Dolfab is proud to be a USCG certified welding and fabrication facility. We employ only the finest welder and fabricators in the industry and maintain an experienced team of USCG & ABS certified welders on staff. Their experience with Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Aluminum and Cupra-Nickel is unparalleled in the industry. We have the expertise, equipment and facilities to perform all types of welding either on your vessel or in our welding shop.

Dolfab Metal Fabricators experts in custom metal services

Dolfab Metal Fabricators, part of Doll Marine, is a leader in marine metal fabrication, custom metal services, and yacht refitting based out of Pompano Beach, FL and servicing all of Fort Lauderdale, all of Broward county, and parts of Miami-Dade and West Palm Beach county as well. Dolfab’s founder and owner, Jim Doll, has been … Continue reading “Dolfab Metal Fabricators experts in custom metal services”

Dolfab’s founder and owner, Jim Doll, has been in the metal fabrication industry since 1978. He has been responsible for massive yacht refitting projects on superyachts and megayachts as well as regularly creating custom metal pieces for vessels of all sizes. Take a look at our Project Gallery here for a taste of the various custom metal work we can do. Along with his wife, Sherry, this dynamic duo leads a team of skilled metal welders and technicians aboard some of the most challenging marine projects in our industry.

But we don’t only focus on the big toys- we do custom tee tops for center console boats, custom fuel tanks and tank repair, RV repair, water jet cutting, 3D printing, you name it. Please visit our custom metal Services to see a list of all the custom metal services we offer.

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