Repairing an aluminum tent frame??

Anonymous-0 · Oct 28, 2010

Hey folks,
I have this Military Surplus quanset style tent (16'x16' x 10'tall). That turned into a kite this past spring. Couple ends from the frame pieces broke.
No problem, just get them welded......Can't find a service in my area except for the company that my wife works for employees a welder and all equipment. The stuff has been with him for a few weeks waiting on him to find a rountuit. He hurt his back yesterday which translates to a few weeks off then backed up work, and me without a tent over winter (need it for the horses). I can put the pieces in a low stress area, would something like JB Weld be an option? A normal stick welder won't do me any good will it?

Thanks, Dave

Michael Soldan · Oct 28, 2010

Dave, aluminum is a tough product to weld, some one with experience with it is required. I have taken aluminum to two different shops for repair. Both shops said they could do it. One shop globbed up a mess. the other shop was far more professional at welding and fabricating with aluminum, they did a great job..the difference between professional and a run of the mill welding shop. That run of the mill shop was excellent with any other metal repair..except aluminum

bo · Oct 28, 2010

Nope...not a stick welder unless you're really good. If they are tubes...get a one size larger tube and go over them or in a size smaller and go in them and trough bolt them. Or if it's on a joint fab a T and thruough bolt...buffer the heck out of them and put it up.

Paul N Texas · Oct 28, 2010

Any chance you might be able to get some PVC pipe to
take it's place, at least until you can get it
repaired? A lot of the Greenhouses near me have the
sides and tops made from PVC, and covered with a
skin of plastic or canvas.

CCer · Oct 28, 2010

I have made a "fix" by pushing a hardwood round or square into the tubing as a splice, center the wood at the break.

Welding man · Oct 28, 2010

Aluminum is not tough to weld, IF you have the proper equipment and training. I have been welding it for over 30 years and weld it almost weekly. I weld lots of aluminum truck beds and cattle trailers with MIG and a lot of Aluminum castings with TIG.I really like welding Aluminum.It is no harder to weld than anything else, just and old wives tale.

camju · Oct 28, 2010

I agree if you have the right equipment I found it not that hard to weld at all,but without it it looks like crap.

rhouston · Oct 28, 2010

If they are simple in their construction could you have someone make a replacement out of electrical conduit and a bit of bending?

old popper · Oct 28, 2010

I struggled bad trying to tig aluminum, till I went and talked to the man that retired off the job that I have now. A little friendly advice and a bucket-full of know how and I do just fine now. Not an expert by any means, but have done very well with everything I have tried since.

Old Roy · Oct 28, 2010

Your friend can order a roundtuit
HERE

Repairing an aluminum tent frame??

Anonymous-0

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Michael Soldan

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bo

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Paul N Texas

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CCer

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Welding man

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camju

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rhouston

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old popper

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Old Roy

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