Al U Minium
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2016
- Messages
- 167
- Reaction score
- 37
The stainless steel transducer mount that was on the stern for years ate through the aluminum like a bad dog. I had some 6061 aluminum plate so I made up 2 pieces to sandwich the corroded area with JB Weld buttered in. I have 3 different pair of glasses depending on what I am doing and I had the wrong pair on when I drilled the first hole for the patch. So after the repair plate was installed, I had a new extra hole. I used a step drill and bored it out to 1/4 inch. Then I took some 3/4 inch 6061 aluminum rod and turned it down to 1/4 inch diameter in the lathe. I finished the button side with a rough diameter and cut it off the 3/4 inch rod. Flipped it end to end in the chuck and added some roundness for style. The new custom rivet fit the hole slick as could be. My neighbor borrowed my little sledge hammer which I should have used for the rivet backing so I had to use a big ball peen hammer. I used another ball peen to beat the rivet into a tight fit. I am satisfied it will be a keeper.
