RCU Forums - Stainless steel

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Hi, this is not an rc question but I have been on rcu a while and know that someone might have an answer for me. I have a boat and want to build a T top out of probably 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 stainless steel tubing. Does anyone know where I can buy that tubing and also is it hard to weld? Thanks

Mark

Check Jeg's or Summit
They should have SS exhaust tubing

http://www.jegs.com/

http://www.summitracing.com/index.htm

or aircraft spruce and specialty

Never delt with them, but American Stainless has it.

http://www.asti-nc.com/

They'll give you a free quote for the amount you need (304 or 316). It will cost an arm and a leg delivered.

I have a 34ft sailboat and have purchsed 1" from Sailrite. They're good folks.

Thanks guys I'll try them,

Mark

Mark,

I'm a marine surveyor, so this comes from experience. For those who do not know, I do appraisals and damage surveys on yachts, offshore supply boats, fishing vessels, tug boats, push boats, jack-up rigs, diving vessel, barges, engines and all commercial and pleasure craft. Even docks and wharfs. I wouldn't' use stainless steel for a T top. The high temperature used in welding it will discolor the pipe and is difficult to polish. Also after you cut a few lengths of it you will be ready to give up. If you ever cut s/s pipe/tubing or tried to grind some off, you know what I mean. You wouldn't weld it together on your boat so if your dimensions are off a little, which they will be due to heat distortion, it will be very difficult to "bend/force it into place. Also you will add a lot of unnecessary weight to you boat.

Almost all the T tops, including Tuna and Marlin, made here in south Louisiana are of aluminum or anodized aluminum. The only T tops I've seen made from s/s were built by someone who got the pipe or tubing for free. The anodized alum. looks very good, is shinny and holds up to heavy salt water conditions. Aluminum is easily bent, can be cut in a matter of seconds, the joints can be ground to a near perfect fit, and can be welded with a Tig or Mig unit. The Tig would be the best looking but expensive. A good welder, and I mean Good, will make a Mig welded joint look excellent and in my opinion is stronger due to more metal being deposited. He or she must use anit-spatter spray to protect the surrounding pipe and after the weld is cleaned, it can be taped off and sprayed with alum. paint to match.

Any metal supply house in your area can get this stuff for you.

You would be much happier with anodized aluminum than
stainless steel. Believe you me.

Perry J. Beebe
National Association of Marine Surveyors
Certified Marine Surveyor # 118-761

Thank you very much for the info, I have abandoned the idea and I am getting one built for me by a profesional. Thanks again to all.

Mark

Good idea. What kind of boat do you have.

I have a 2000 Proline 19 Sport Center consol boat. It's a great boat. It handles the great lakes awesome. I am big into fishing up here and am out every weekend,

Marl

Keep an eye out for cracks where the transom meets the sides. Also cracks at the gunwale way midship. Proline has more lawsuits against them than they are willing to admit. Not to discourage you, just every once in a while someone gets a hull with a bad layup.

So far it has been pretty good about cracks. There are a few minor ones here and there. Some are from me and some probably from use. The two years that I have used this boat I have used it alot and am really surpirsed it has held up so well. Anyway thanks I'll keep a look out for those spots. It is supposed to have a 10 year hull warranty, is Proline good at honoring that warranty? Thanks

Mark