Suggestions on repair

[streetglider]

I have a baseball hitting net I need to get repaired. A portion of the frame has broken off of the foot piece. I am not sure what the frame is made out of, possibly aluminum. I am sure it isn't anything substantial as the metal is quite thin. I'm happy with any suggestions. I thought of JB Weld but wasn't sure if it would work in this instance.

 

[PelicanPines]

JBweld won't work without serious support.

Can you slide a slightly smaller pipe inside to that spot?

I would build a T to support it from the inside, then use hose clamps to hold that broken part in place.

Welding would be nicer...

 

[2ltime]

If it is thin aluminum, your best bet might be looking into a replacement piece. Too much coating to deal with to weld or epoxy bond it properly imo.
Mattering on how much stress it takes, you could probably find a similar angle/shape part made from PVC.

 

[Kaizen]

JBweld won't work without serious support.

Can you slide a slightly smaller pipe inside to that spot?

I would build a T to support it from the inside, then use hose clamps to hold that broken part in place.

Welding would be nicer...

X2. Also if you can get that backing in there....wood will work... I’d put some radiator hose clamps on each side before doing the epoxy/jb.
Stuff that thin is a pain the weld but can be


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[Jagmandave]

Stick a magnet on it to find out if it's steel or not?

 

[IndyGarage]

Looks like steel to me. Easy fix with a Mig welder.

 

[Bogie1632]

Getting it welded with some reinforcement would be my first choice. But if you can't find anyone to do that, can that side of the net base be redone in black plumbing pipe (if weight isn't an issue) or PVC (may be more forgiving than the thin wall tube you have now). Stager a pair of tees to get the required angles between the horizontal and vertical net bars. I know our HS shop class made those for our team back in the day.

Just a thought anyway.

Good luck.

V/R
Bogie

 

[fordkid88]

looks like steel. Grab a magnet.

 

[streetglider]

Thank you for the replies. I will grab a magnet first. I have never had much luck finding anyone around here willing to weld on small projects. The pipe idea sounds like something I can try. Not sure about the PVC. My son is a college player unable to find a place to hit now that his classes and the season were cancelled. He hits that net pretty hard.

 

[HMCFab9]

If it's metal it can be welded.
If it's aluminum it can also be welded, but finding someone who can TIG thin parts can be difficult.

I work in an automotive restoration shop & we weld odd / thin stuff every day, so a place like that may be an option.

 

[streetglider]

Definitely steel. I think I have found a welder so I want to thank you for the suggestions.

 

[matt_i]

For thin stuff, if you can get it closed back up reasonably tightly, you can use 56% silver solder and white brazing flux. The thin tube will heat easily with oxyacetylene and the repair is close to the strength of the base material.

Its also good to beef up the structure in that area but it can result in a break at the next weak link...

Just curious what are the OD of the tubes in that area?

 

[joe49]

Simple job for gas welding.