About a year ago I took a mild fuking buying a complete set of used 380K planes. All other details aside, tonight I'm finally ready to mount these things on my hull and something just isn't right about the port side hull mounting plate, it won't lay flat on its mounting surface. The more that I stare at it I realize that one of the outer pin journals for the tab hinge has been busted completely off at some point and half azz welded back on. You can see the creases through the fresh powdercoat on the back (hull) side. Its currently welded back on crooked by about 1/3rd off on the hinge pin alignment on two different axis's. At this point would it be safe in severing the busted corner, properly jigging both pieces and re tig-ing, or just throwing it in the dumpster and buying a new mounting plate? This is a major kick in the dik 4 days before launching a 18 month project on the last boatable weekend of the season in Ohio.

That really sux man, but I don't see any reason that you can't tig it back together. I would mount it to a hard, flat surface to be sure the back side is perfectly flat where it will meet the transom. I would also grind a nice sized Vee in the crack so you have something to fill in. You will probably have to preheat it to get good penetration. It's always a good idea to preheat it for good penetration
Good luck.
Eddie

yeah, what he said, make sure its secured to a good flat plate. And be carefull pouring a ton of heat into it.

If it looks like you can cut it off and re-weld it, I would give it a shot. You don't have anything to lose and at least you can get out. TIG-ing cast aluminum does suck tho....

In the meantime I would look for a replacement and then swap it out over the winter.

Thanks for the quick replies guys.

Don't powdercoat it either. Welding aluminium like that, eventually it will usually crack right down the center of the weld. Powdercoat has a tendency to allow a crack to form under it while staying in one piece so you don't see a crack until it lets go.

I have a good plate if your interested...