Welding question

flapbreaker · 12-27-2005, 08:20 AM

I'm trying to find a way to make my radar unit more theft proof. Right now it's held on with 4 bolts which are easily removable. Can stainless steel be welded and if so what would be the best type of welder. I was wondering if just a spot welder would be sufficient? Any ideas?

HntnFsh · 12-27-2005, 08:43 AM

Stainless is easy to weld.You can get stainless arc rod.But you can weld it with regular 7018 or any of the other common rods.6013 for example.You can also hit it with a wire feed.If you have easy access to a stick welder you can just hit it with a peice of stainless rod.To help slow down the rust.

Bait O' Eggs · 12-27-2005, 08:45 AM

Stainless can be welded, pretty much like mild steel welding other stainless rod and a different inert gas is used.

I have my kicker motor bolted on with stainless bolts and I welded the nuts to the bolt, then I rounded off the heads of the bolt, of which both will slow down the midnight shopper.

A good welding shop shouldnt charge you much to tack the nuts to the bolts,

a cheaper solution would be to smash the threads on the bolts so the nuts wont come off easy.

newbeebob · 12-27-2005, 08:46 AM

Bring it by my shop, We'll put some good welds on for you. As long as the material isn't too thin (we use a 400 amp welder). My shop is off Conrellius Pass RD by GI Joe's.

Hope we can help

flapbreaker · 12-27-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Bring it by my shop, We'll put some good welds on for you. As long as the material isn't too thin (we use a 400 amp welder). My shop is off Conrellius Pass RD by GI Joe's.

Hope we can help

Cool. Your right in my neck of the woods. Pm me with your shop info and I will arrange something.

CATCH AND EAT · 12-27-2005, 03:51 PM

'Actually Roys suggestion will work just fine. I have done this on other security items and have never had a problem. Smash those threads a little and save some cash.

flapbreaker · 12-27-2005, 04:10 PM

Quote:

'Actually Roys suggestion will work just fine. I have done this on other security items and have never had a problem. Smash those threads a little and save some cash.

I'll do this on my kicker but the bolts to the Radar screw right into the housing so there is no way to mess up the threads once they are in.

sunshinefisherman · 12-28-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

a cheaper solution would be to smash the threads on the bolts so the nuts wont come off easy.

This works fine, alternativly there are also security bolts that cannot be removed without grinding or special tools. web page Go to this site and search for tri-groove machine screw, breakaway bolt or security bolt.

Welding around electronics comes with a risk. I have seem at least a dozen sawmills down because someone welded on the log carriage and blew out sensitive electronics. I have also heard of people blowing the computer in their cars by welding without taking precautions. Although this is becoming less of a problem as technology advances, it is still a risk.

The antenna probably doesn't have electronics in it but it might, the other end sure does though! Just the magnetic field from welding in the proximity of electronics can be enough to blow chips.

If you decide to weld, disconnect the connectors to the radar control unit and fishfinder, better yet, remove them from the boat. Attach your ground cable as close as possible to the weld area.

Hanapa'a Time · 12-28-2005, 01:21 PM

I am glad someone brought this up, SF

Was thinkin' the same thing, just didn't have time to post

From the days of tack welding winch mount bolts on trucks, stuff can happen

Hopefully the antenna mounting bolts are isolated.

12-28-2005, 01:27 PM

I'd use high strength LocTite 271.

Here's a link to the spec sheet.

LocTite 271

flapbreaker · 12-28-2005, 01:38 PM

THanks for all the replies. That is a good point about the radar being damaged by welding. I don't know that I want to risk ruining the unit. The loctite might be the trick.

Chrome Bumper · 12-28-2005, 01:59 PM

Maybe use stainless socket head screw/bolts and grind off the portion with the socket when installed.

uhmw · 12-28-2005, 01:59 PM

their are also theft resistance bolts that use a special type of driver the local crack heads may not have. we installed our office air conditioner with them in east side crack town and it has survived several summers. We thought about welding it but then we couldnt unbolt it when we wanted it off for winter.