I am a 20 year retired Navy Seabee Steelworker and from a lot of experience, Aluminum MIG is a total pain. It can be used on thin stock, but it’s more for thicker material. You need more heat to get the aluminum to flow correctly. You’ll burn through thinner material with that kind of heat. Plus, Aluminum MIG is hot and fast, nothing like welding steel that can handle the heat. You would have been far better off to buy a TIG torch that is more suited for thinner material. Don’t let TIG welding scare you, it’s pretty easy, you just have to clean it more and have a welder that is AC. The other guy is correct. With any sort of gas shielding welding, you have to be inside and out of the wind because it will blow away the gas and your welds look like goose poop. Go inside your garage or shield your work area and use that big fan to blow out the exhaust fumes. Just keep at it, you have one hell of an engineering, creative and determined mind, you’ll figure it out. The new siding looks outstanding. You’ll have no problem selling either pontoon boat when you’re finished.
By the way Zach, the tachometer tells you how many hours are on the motor when the switch is in the on position for a few seconds. To read it, you count how many times the REV LIMIT light blinks and add 100 for every thousand revs is indicated. In your engine's case the REV LIMIT light blinked three times and then indicated just over 3000 RPM. Each blink is 500 hours. So your engine has just over 1800 hours.
I love how you like to challenge yourself, especially something you've never done. I have to learn by doing aswell. Be proud of yourself, not everyone has that kind of confidence.
Aluminum welding. Keep your area clean wipe it down before you weld. And be indoors. With your shop door open it’ll just blow the argon gas’s away. Also 100% argon I believe you need.
Brilliant work, especially the welding. You’re starting to make this look so easy, which is dangerous to people like me who is guaranteed 100% to end up in Emergency!!!!!!!!
You did a great job welding all that stuff together, and your 1st time welding aluminum on top of that! It all looks like a good professional job to me. Keep up the good work and video content, thanks man!
The design you went with is killer. And as mentioned by yourself and others, experience will certainly help your welding skills. Practice makes perfect. So far, it looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent.
Great job Zach a vast improvement on how it was before and good for you for trying your hand at welding aluminium learning something new like that takes time to get it right
Impeller, lower unit gear lube, fuel filter, plugs. I also have a small welder that can do aluminum, so when I get home this spring I want to get the argon gas bottle and other supplies to give it a try.
Nice Work! I looked through the comments and saw some mentions of cleaning the aluminum but was surprised no one mentioned grinding the anodization off before welding. That is why you were having trouble making clean welds. You have to grind the anodizing back away from where the weld will be or it is impossible to get a good clean weld. I admire your creativity when rebuilding pontoons, I've been doing it for years and you've given me some great ideas!
Hey man, love your projects. I know your busy but I really get off on workshop organization and seeing people renovate their spaces. Your garage needs help and I'd super watch you do that...makes me feel productive by proxy
Looks fantastic! You have an amazing mindset to learn a new skill and apply it. Practice then practice some more welding is like an art form. But you did great 👍
Hey, TIG welding the aluminum would be so much easier and cleaner, you should try it. Just make sure the aluminum is clean before you weld it. I would definitely replace the water pump in the lower end unit before you clean the motor and paint it, anyway definitely replace the water pump before you put it in the water.
Great job, looks 100% better, keep up the great work, so glad to see you trying a new skill, keep the content coming, I always look forward to your new videos!
Paint the bottom of the toons blue to match what you just put on. Then the top of the toons silver or gray and paint your rails the same silver or gray. With painting the rails it will hide those dents, welding mistakes, and that black crud that looks like it will take a ton of cleaning to get off. It would look great and very custom.
Nice videos as always, I would love to see a garage transformation, epoxy floors, organized racks, tool cabinets, booth paint capable, etc etc... best wishes, keep the good work
For servicing the motor there’s quite a lot you’ll have to do: 1. Change engine oil and filter 2. Change fuel filter 3. Change lower unit oil and the seals on the screws 4. Change impeller (just buy a kit, there’s a couple other things you need to replace in that area anyway) 5. Spark plugs 6. Would recommend giving the motor a good flush and use salt away if it was used in salt water 7. If your engine has carbs, you’ll need to clean them 8. Replace the old fuel hosing, ethanol based fuels eat away at the rubber lining on the inside which gunks up the motor, so you’re better safe than sorry 9. Inspect for any rust in the cylinders ofc 10. Take the prop off and check if there’s any fishing line wrapped around the shaft, it destroys the o ring that connects to the lower unit. 11. If you come across any leaks o rings they’ll need replaced ofc 12. Replace any corroded sacrificial anodes There’s probably more stuff I can’t remember but if you know an outboard mechanic you might want to ask them for a bit of help. Love what you’re doing with your projects, keep up the good work!
great job man! aluminium need to be very clean when welding. use a new uncontaminated wire brush and then some type of alcohol to clean. if the weld is black, its to dirty. even used wirebrush is to dirty
Try doing the lower jet ski propulsion system conversion on the engine you want to do something modern and totally different this is the way to go thank me later
I am a 20 year retired Navy Seabee Steelworker and from a lot of experience, Aluminum MIG is a total pain. It can be used on thin stock, but it’s more for thicker material. You need more heat to get the aluminum to flow correctly. You’ll burn through thinner material with that kind of heat. Plus, Aluminum MIG is hot and fast, nothing like welding steel that can handle the heat. You would have been far better off to buy a TIG torch that is more suited for thinner material. Don’t let TIG welding scare you, it’s pretty easy, you just have to clean it more and have a welder that is AC.
The other guy is correct. With any sort of gas shielding welding, you have to be inside and out of the wind because it will blow away the gas and your welds look like goose poop. Go inside your garage or shield your work area and use that big fan to blow out the exhaust fumes.
Just keep at it, you have one hell of an engineering, creative and determined mind, you’ll figure it out.
The new siding looks outstanding. You’ll have no problem selling either pontoon boat when you’re finished.
By the way Zach, the tachometer tells you how many hours are on the motor when the switch is in the on position for a few seconds. To read it, you count how many times the REV LIMIT light blinks and add 100 for every thousand revs is indicated. In your engine's case the REV LIMIT light blinked three times and then indicated just over 3000 RPM. Each blink is 500 hours. So your engine has just over 1800 hours.
I love how you like to challenge yourself, especially something you've never done. I have to learn by doing aswell. Be proud of yourself, not everyone has that kind of confidence.
Coolest part of your videos is when your father, friends n family are helping..#pricelessmoments
Fencing looks really good. I like how you are not afraid to try new things. Looks much better than the old fencing.
Aluminum welding. Keep your area clean wipe it down before you weld. And be indoors. With your shop door open it’ll just blow the argon gas’s away. Also 100% argon I believe you need.
Looks so much better!. for welding on aluminum you need the metal REALLY clean. Then make it a bit cleaner still.
I second this prep for aluminium is key the cleaner the better and rinse with acetone before welding
@@Billyo234 Acetone really help.👍
Awesome to see you and your dad working together.
Very nice. When you service the motor change the impeller and low end grease. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Where did you get the square tube bender from??
Brilliant work, especially the welding. You’re starting to make this look so easy, which is dangerous to people like me who is guaranteed 100% to end up in Emergency!!!!!!!!
You did a great job welding all that stuff together, and your 1st time welding aluminum on top of that! It all looks like a good professional job to me.
Keep up the good work and video content, thanks man!
The transformation is fantastic. It would look great with the pontoon bottoms being painted blue instead of black. Great job.
Really nicely done! Never seen anyone modify old fencing to make it look modern
The design you went with is killer. And as mentioned by yourself and others, experience will certainly help your welding skills. Practice makes perfect.
So far, it looks great. Can't wait to see the finished project.
Thank you for sharing your incredible talent.
What about using pontoon wraps? Like Cars get. I'm searching online for them now. Maybe think about doing a wrap on the fencing sometime.
Your welding is better than I could do. 👌 That blue is beautiful 😍
Great job Zach a vast improvement on how it was before and good for you for trying your hand at welding aluminium learning something new like that takes time to get it right
Impeller, lower unit gear lube, fuel filter, plugs.
I also have a small welder that can do aluminum, so when I get home this spring I want to get the argon gas bottle and other supplies to give it a try.
Great transformation. New fencing design came out amazing
Nice Work! I looked through the comments and saw some mentions of cleaning the aluminum but was surprised no one mentioned grinding the anodization off before welding. That is why you were having trouble making clean welds. You have to grind the anodizing back away from where the weld will be or it is impossible to get a good clean weld. I admire your creativity when rebuilding pontoons, I've been doing it for years and you've given me some great ideas!
Clean, clean, clean your aluminum. And Practice, practice, practice. Boat is looking awesome!
looks like it turned out awesome, well done
Zach, I really, really, really appreciate your content.
It looks SO good. I am very impressed with your skills and willingness to take on new challenges.
Dude I’ve seen pontoon houseboats!! Would be absolutely amazing to see you work ur magic on something like that. Love the channel! Keep it up.
Looks great keep up the great work love all your videos from Wisconsin
Hey man, love your projects. I know your busy but I really get off on workshop organization and seeing people renovate their spaces. Your garage needs help and I'd super watch you do that...makes me feel productive by proxy
Wow that made a big difference on the railing awesome job I'm going to try that on my rebuild I'm doing now.
I like the custom rail design it makes it better
Measure twice, cut once... take your time. Looks great.
If you do custom paint on the motor, use some of the same curves you added to the fencing. Should help it all flow together
Based on reading, aluminum welding is hard. You did a great job, and good plan to practice a bit first! Congrats dude, she looks great.
That new blue siding looks amazing! Great job!
Looks fantastic! You have an amazing mindset to learn a new skill and apply it. Practice then practice some more welding is like an art form. But you did great 👍
Ultimate makeover pontoon! Damn good job!
Looks great!!!!! I always enjoy your videos
Looks awesome, love watching your channel
Looks awesome, well done
I think it looks great. I like the blue. Can't wait to see what else you have for it.
Hey, TIG welding the aluminum would be so much easier and cleaner, you should try it. Just make sure the aluminum is clean before you weld it. I would definitely replace the water pump in the lower end unit before you clean the motor and paint it, anyway definitely replace the water pump before you put it in the water.
Looks great Zack!!
You inspired me to buy a pontoon and redo the floors. Got the wood on buts it to cold for the vinyl to go on. Lol
As always ,super nice 👍
Great job, looks 100% better, keep up the great work, so glad to see you trying a new skill, keep the content coming, I always look forward to your new videos!
Great job, how about the rub rail? Looks like it could use your touch.🍀
You need to flush and flush and flush the Suzuki motor after you use it. Looks great. Keep it up.
Id do the impeller,plugs ,complete oil change and go ahead and do the water pump for safety since its been sitting awhile
You’re underrated!!!
Your*
@@raymondhomolka nope it's you're, as in you are... 🤦♂️
And that's a underrated statement
For the Suzuki change Eng oil, lower unit oil new plugs, fuel filters and impeller should be good
Paint the bottom of the toons blue to match what you just put on. Then the top of the toons silver or gray and paint your rails the same silver or gray. With painting the rails it will hide those dents, welding mistakes, and that black crud that looks like it will take a ton of cleaning to get off. It would look great and very custom.
Looks awesome
Nice videos as always, I would love to see a garage transformation, epoxy floors, organized racks, tool cabinets, booth paint capable, etc etc...
best wishes, keep the good work
For servicing the motor there’s quite a lot you’ll have to do:
1. Change engine oil and filter
2. Change fuel filter
3. Change lower unit oil and the seals on the screws
4. Change impeller (just buy a kit, there’s a couple other things you need to replace in that area anyway)
5. Spark plugs
6. Would recommend giving the motor a good flush and use salt away if it was used in salt water
7. If your engine has carbs, you’ll need to clean them
8. Replace the old fuel hosing, ethanol based fuels eat away at the rubber lining on the inside which gunks up the motor, so you’re better safe than sorry
9. Inspect for any rust in the cylinders ofc
10. Take the prop off and check if there’s any fishing line wrapped around the shaft, it destroys the o ring that connects to the lower unit.
11. If you come across any leaks o rings they’ll need replaced ofc
12. Replace any corroded sacrificial anodes
There’s probably more stuff I can’t remember but if you know an outboard mechanic you might want to ask them for a bit of help. Love what you’re doing with your projects, keep up the good work!
I feel like the next boat you rebuild should be a jet boat. I think that would be a good challenge and a good series to watch
Keep up the great work what are u gonna do with the toons on it paint clean them
Awesome job,looks great.keep it up.from cali.
That looks great
That fencing looks so good. You really make everything look easy. I wish I knew about the fencing material you could buy
What a difference. Good job.
Looks good kiddo...paint the bottoms and new top and of course some leds in trailer and boat
Welding in crocs is a vibe.
Great job!
The new fence pattern looks a lot better and the dark blue in contrast with the light aluminum is spiffy.
Damn it came out great!
Hey Zach, I would suggest changing the lower unit oil, and replace the water pump impeller in the lower unit
. Also I love your chanel 👍
Water pump kit!
That looks GREAT!!! Good job!
Nice! What is the contraption you use to bend the aluminum?
To hold the boat up get some tall adjustable jack stands that screw. The boat should be done in a patriotic colors I think if would be cool.
Wow looks great. Love the video
Looks great, well done!
Is that aluminum framed roof on your other boat custom made from the manufacturer or did you buy it aftermarket?
As has been said, CLEAN CLEAN CLEAN that aluminum. Dedicated stainless brush, acetone wipe, and burn it in. Looks good!
Nice work.
great job man! aluminium need to be very clean when welding. use a new uncontaminated wire brush and then some type of alcohol to clean. if the weld is black, its to dirty. even used wirebrush is to dirty
Where did you purchase the bender that you used for this project. Most of the ones I've found are only for round tubing.
Definitely change the water impeller in the lower unit and change that oil. They always dry up when they sit for a while.
Well done. A big difference.
TIG weld for aluminum. The only way to be good at welding is to do it and keep adjusting your techniques. Good luck though! Looks good enough for me!
You should put a slide on your other pontoon boat
Impeller, change the oil in the foot as well. Oh replace the impeller, maybe the impeller.🤷🏻♂️
You need to do the service on the Thermostat, impeller, gear oil ,and some seals for the lower unit and the impeller .
When you fix it up give it to your parents as a Christmas gift.
Why the tire flat again?
Impeller & lower end oil
Damn buddy that looks awesome
Great
Replace the rubber trim with black.
Try doing the lower jet ski propulsion system conversion on the engine you want to do something modern and totally different this is the way to go thank me later
Looks great 👍
Looks great!!
2 UR videos in one day! Let’s gooo
Why put new sheet metal across the frame if the frame is all dirty and beat up.
Great video. Thank you for sharing.
You should get a Yamaha 175 for double decker they are good and reliable
A grinder and spray paint hides the welder I ain't
Fencing looks great but when are you going to make an episode of you helping your dad organize that garage? Haha I'm just messing.
Clean metal. Also only use stainless steel brush and yes Argon gas. Managing heat is the hardest part
Looks great
Awesome videos sorry I’m soo late