Welding Advice for Spa Cover Support Bar

justanick on 23/02/2024 - 22:38
Last edited 24/02/2024 - 21:17 by 2 other users

Hi all, I’m not sure where this post belongs but I’ll give it a try.

I got a six seat outdoor spa which came with a foam cover and there’s a steel/aluminium bar in the middle to distribute the weight. The spa is older model and came with the property.

Recently with all the storm the fence slab which was holding sail shade fell on the spa cover and broke the bar. Now the spa cover is dipping in the centre as it can’t hold the cover.

Is there a place is Sydney south that can weld the steel bar?

Imagine this bar in the middle that’s the closest picture I could find.

My spa and coverlooks like this.

Home & Garden Spa

Comments

  • CurlCurl on 23/02/2024 - 23:04

    Any exhaust shop could do it.

    • justanick on 23/02/2024 - 23:17

      Awesome mate. Thank you so much. Shall I search for exhaust shops near me in Google Maps?

  • Euphemistic on 24/02/2024 - 00:03
    +2

    Anywhere that does steel fabrication might do it. Panel beaters, trailer manufacturers, railings, and a whole bunch of other businesses. Sometimes the hard paet os finding a business thatll do a one off cash job.

    You could try ringing a steel supplier who might point you to one thatll do a small job.

    First thing to check is if its magnetic to make sure it's steel. Aluminium welding is more tricky.

    • justanick on 24/02/2024 - 01:47

      Cool I’ll call few local panel beaters for this.

      Why is aluminium tricky?

      • racer1234 on 24/02/2024 - 08:42
        +1

        Aluminium is tricky becuase it melts very easily. You have to melt it to weld it but it goes from solid to liquid with very little warning. Any metal will also be contaminated from the spa chemicals this makes it harder as well.

      • GordonD on 24/02/2024 - 14:55

        Why is aluminium tricky?

        https://www.uti.edu/blog/welding/aluminum-welding

        "So why is aluminum so difficult to weld? This material is soft, highly sensitive and is insulated by a tough oxidized layer. While in its molten state, aluminum is susceptible to impurities, which can lead to porous, weak welds. Aluminum and its alloys have a great affinity for oxygen. Pure aluminum melts at 1,200°F (650°C), and the oxide that protects the metal melts at 3,700°F (2,037°C). Because the oxide melts at a temperature approximately 2,500°F (1,370°C) higher than the aluminum itself, the oxide must be cleaned from the metal before welding can begin. Since aluminum has a higher thermal conductivity and low melting point, it has a smaller window of workability than other metals and can easily lead to burnthrough. This, in combination with it being harder to indicate weld progress and quality, can make aluminum a difficult material to work with."

        On the other hand, you can braze it.

        https://www.hampdon.com.au/ultrabond-aluminium-brazing-kit-1…

  • BOGOF on 24/02/2024 - 09:56

    Put it on Airtasker. A handyman with a portable welder will do it cheap

  • GordonD on 24/02/2024 - 10:17
    +2

    I'm unclear exactly what the bar looks like.

    You might find if you go to a hardware place, or an aluminium supplier, that you can get a bar or an extrusion you can just cut to length. That would be a lot cheaper and easier than trying to weld the damaged item.

  • JIMB0 on 24/02/2024 - 10:27
    +1

    Can you post up a photo of the actual thing you want welded.

  • brendanm on 24/02/2024 - 10:28
    +2

    That is a linear actuator, not a "bar"?

  • Euphemistic on 24/02/2024 - 13:53

    Based on the photo uploaded, its unliekly to be able to be welded, but will really depend on the type of damage. Thin wall metal is quite hard to weld and make strong. It may need some sort of sleeve attached to it but really does depend on what is actually wrong.

  • justanick on 24/02/2024 - 17:22
    +1

    Hi All,

    Took some pictures below. I tested with a magnet it’s not steel. How do I fix the middle hinge where the screws fell? I don’t know what’s it’s called to see if I can buy this bar.
    Any creative solutions you would recommend?

    The black tape is done by me to hold it in place but it has failed.

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100944/110727/img_3488…

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/100944/110728/img_3491…

    • Euphemistic on 24/02/2024 - 19:30

      So ita a straight section of box tubing that seems to be assembled rather than welded. That aluminium will be very hard to repair.

      Just replace it with something of similar shape, dimension and strength. Dont use steel, itll rust too quick. At a pinch, a piece of timber could work

    • JIMB0 on 24/02/2024 - 19:40

      The best way to fix that is to buy one section of box tube to eliminate the join. Then you'll need to rivet those end pieces on and transfer the end caps. Easy to do if you have a drill and rivet gun. To weld it properly you'd need an AC TIG, not many places would have one, let alone the skills to do it. The cheap and nasty option is to just duct tape another piece onto the bottom.

      • justanick on 24/02/2024 - 19:49

        Thank you. What’s a box tube?

        Could you please share some Bunnings or Amazon options as it’s easier for someone like me to buy? Rivet gun I don’t have but I do have drill and bits. It’s actually a very good idea.

    • brendanm on 24/02/2024 - 21:07
      +2

      Why on earth did you link a picture of a linear actuator when what you have is square or rectangular section aluminium? Any metal fab place will be able to make you that up.

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