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Tools for back gouging aluminum

m32825

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I am working on building an aluminum boat. Hobby project, not a business. Most of it is 1/8" sheet. Plans call for all outside seams to be welded with a spool gun, then flip it, back gouge inside seams to clean metal, then weld. From what a can tell I need carbide cutting tools that can work in cramped spaces. A battery powered solution seems like a good idea. Suggestions?

-- Carl
 
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shawhite

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Palm router with a carbide router bit or endmill will work. Use WD-40 or dish soap as lube.
 
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m32825

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Palm router with a carbide router bit or endmill will work. Use WD-40 or dish soap as lube.
I didn't know palm routers existed, so thanks for that suggestion. One of those looks like it would work great for open flat areas, but there are also a lot of perpendicular bulkheads crossing the seams, especially in the bow area. Need something with reach, maybe die grinder...

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ItsNemo

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Die grinder with carbide burrs would be my choice. Battery exists but I personally love air ones :)
 

rmack898

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I think a 4-1/2" grinder is going to be your friend here. I don't own a 4-1/2" with a guard on it so your results may differ.

I just bought these flap wheels specifically for aluminum and they work extremely well.

 
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m32825

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Seems like changes in bite would cause a lot of side to side motion of the die grinder. How do you keep it tracking down a straight line?
 

tyyost

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Seems like changes in bite would cause a lot of side to side motion of the die grinder. How do you keep it tracking down a straight line?
My experience with carbide burrs is that the don’t seem to “run“off track unless the user is overly aggressive. Your picture above makes mr think a small router, even with a small tilt base would only do a portion of your work. Using a die grinder, I’d gear up with glasses and a face mask, and orient the boat to the best hand position to gently pull the grinder back from inside the boat to the outside. Taking small passes until you get the feel for it, with 1/8 sheet I don’t think you will be hogging much off unless you have some burn through and Al machines east least with some lube. Burr shape will also dictate how easy it rides in the joints, so buy a set so you can adjust with the interior angles.
 

seber

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Proper lubricant for working with aluminum is mineral oil. Available as baby oil or horse laxative.
 
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m32825

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Proper lubricant for working with aluminum is mineral oil. Available as baby oil or horse laxative.
I've seen "Pam" or similar cooking spray suggested because it vaporizes completely well below welding temperatures. I would use acetone to clean before welding.
 
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