Ok so after some digging ( i had paint bubbles ) i found this,
so im guessing i need new metal?
Do i cut more out? Whats there now is solid or is it best to cut it to the extreme?
Is there anyone that knows of a mobile person who makes and welds in new metal?
I have no welder or skills.
If i went to a shop what should i be paying for this, just metal replacement?
Please help.

Attach file:

---

  photo(7).JPG (158.97 KB)


  photo(5).JPG (106.98 KB)

They all rust in the plenum unfortunately.

"No welder or skills" you say? Neither did most of us on here prior to starting our own repairs but there's only one way to learn.

For the price you would pay for someone else to do it you could have bought a welder, done a few basic welding courses, bought some sheet metal to practice with, fixed it yourself and felt damn proud you just had a go. Even if the result isn't perfect, the self satisfaction clearly outweights the result.

First thing to do is search some peoples build forums (as everyone on here has dealt with some sort of rust repair!) and have a look at the photos of what they've done. Then practice, practice, practice! Cut 20 bits of 1mm sheet metal into stripes and weld every single one of them back together. First row will be #OOPS#e, second so-so and by row 20 you will be a superstar with full understanding of voltage, wire feed, temperature of the metal and all other variables that come into it. Give it a go. There are plenty of people on here that will give very helpful advice.
Good luck!

where are you located mate ill help you fix it i have my own mig welder

I'll help you if you pay the airfare!

the datto community is always there to help fellow datto enthusiasts

i have similar issues here in QLD if anyone wants to help

Same deal Ryan, a holiday would be nice:)

I work for virgin blue so airfares are no problem ;)
Im in sydney
I have read what people say to guys asking about cheap welders so to buy a propper one would cost big dollars and it would be used once!
So i just thought id get it fixed, i dont wanna lose this one to rust.

What would be a ballpark price to fix this?
thankyou all.

I'd prefer to go to Queensland, no offense :)
If you go to bunnings they have a Weldcorp 100 gasless Mig for about $300, thats what I purchased and I love it, it's a rebadged CIG unit made in italy.
Very easy to learn with, not recommended for thicker steel though.

I think Shoota was spot on with his post, Its not very hard to get average/good results with a little bit of practice.

You can do it!

For the tiny voltage requirements of welding thin Datto panels a cheap rubbish welder would be fine. I think everyone gets a bit carried away with saying you need the best welder or you're nowhere. I don't have the results to justify this statement but my welder is just a chinese made version and it works just fine.

Most people on this site won't know what panel repairs cost externally as they're very DIY orientated. I'm gunna go out on a limb here and say tight arses too!! Totally true for me anyway!

At a very rough guess, including repainting I'm going to say $1500 but could be way off the mark.