Brazing Aluminum?

[Nandy]

I have a laptop monitor that frame is made of aluminum and it is about a 1/16". The part that connects to the hinge broke and came off. I wonder what I can use to braze it back in place. I have oxyacetilene and a few brazing rods but nothing for aluminum. Can somebody tell me what brazing rods/paste I need to use and if it is readily available in places like northern tools and such? Most of the very specialized places require you to buy way too much and I am just a hobbyist with limited funds...

If anyone can run me real quick in the brazing process or steer me to a website that will be sweet. I know aluminum has its own little perks...

Thanks..

 

[mphy98]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

if you have a metal recyclers near you, take it to them, or call to see if you can do it yourself, we have fat Freddy's salvage here in Burlington and he would do it for a dollar or two.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Search google for Durafix

I would bring it to someone to weld or use jb weld.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

I would never put heat to a monitor. JB weld or a product like it would do the trick.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

I will take the monitor appart to do this so only the frame will get hot. The one thing is that the hinge is where the "pressure" happens when you open, close or adjust the angle of the monitor. I was surprised as to how hard is that hinge to move. I have used jbweld before but I am not sure it will work in that spot as i might have to add a bit too much and there is not a lot of space there.
There is a machine shop in my way to work...

 

[Dunk50]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Check this site out. I bought some at Harbor Freight and it does work if you follow instructions. Clean, tin and weld.

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/more_info.asp

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Wait let me guess...... it's the hinge piece on a dell. I know a bunch of people that had these go bad..... and it was the hinge itself that went bad and caused the damage.

 

[abj87]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

whats wrong with ordering a new one? cant be that much more than paying to get it fixed.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Wait let me guess...... it's the hinge piece on a dell. I know a bunch of people that had these go bad..... and it was the hinge itself that went bad and caused the damage.

You got that right sir! The hinge seems to be fine, but that i did not compare the "stiffness" of it to the other side. I will do that.

I look in dell site and they do not have that part for sale. i have been checking ebay for a cheap monitor but nothing will be cheaper than brace it myself unless the rods are supper expensive. If I buy the rods to braze it I can keep what i dont use and save it for a new project. I doubt me brazing it will be more expensive in the long or short rd.
I might have time tomorrow to go and check that alumrepair product.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

I bought some DuraFix rods at Harbor Freight, but hear they are also available at Ace, True Value, Do-it-Best, etc. Hardware stores.

About all you will need is a propane or MAPP torch, stainless steel brush and the brazing rods. I'd watch the oxy torch as it might get too hot and melt the aluminum, I melted a 1/16" x1" aluminum strip in half and a MAPP torch. Youtube durafix and watch a few videos, it's really quite simple, though not as easy as brazing with other metals since the Durafix goes from a liquid state to solid very quickly and doesn't like to hang on horizontal surfaces. Matter of fact, I had problems brazing with it at times since my piece was not 100% level and it wanted to run off the area I was brazing.

I was brazing zinc plated nuts to aluminum plates,,, rod holder bases.

 

[mscher]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

This may sound ugly, but so does taking a torch to a computer.

How about replacing the hinge with a new small brass hinge and some tiny bolts/nuts? You should be able to dismantle, both the screen lid and base enough to get access.

Notebook PC are pretty much throw away items anymore, anyway.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

It is a perfectly working laptop, no reason to get rid of it. I could not find that hts-2000 anywhere. Did call Harbor Freight and Northern Tools but no one has anything like it. However, will not be the first time I call for something and they say they dont have it and I see it in a later trip... More time to drive around tomorrow so I will check it anyway...

 

[mscher]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

It is a perfectly working laptop, no reason to get rid of it. I could not find that hts-2000 anywhere. Did call Harbor Freight and Northern Tools but no one has anything like it. However, will not be the first time I call for something and they say they dont have it and I see it in a later trip... More time to drive around tomorrow so I will check it anyway...

I did not imply to throw it away. I meant that if you replaced the hinge, it might look a little "rigged", but may function normally, until it finally gets "old". The part sounds to be a little thin to be welding or brazing, plus it would have to be removed from all other components.

Good luck.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Here you go...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44810

 

[Nandy]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Fishrdan, I got those today. Is not the ones I was looking for but what the heck. Funny thing is.... I am a tool maniac. Until about 3 years ago I would buy any tool I thought I might need if it was in special somewhere locally. Today while getting my stuff ready to try the new rods guess what I found... Aluminum brazing rods... LOL!!!! I had them probably for about 2 years, maybe a bit more... Got to practive with some aluminum I have and by the 3rd try I got it close to right. Need to practive more before I attemp the laptop monitor. Once I got it right with the practic parts I will get some of the same gauge of the laptop frame and try again. I am having problems getting to the right temperature with my #1 tip. Im using a neutral flame but it kinda heats quick and the 40some cold temp is not helping either... Will try again with the heater on... Maybe I need to get my propane torch. It might be better suit... Thanks all for the help.

 

[Dunk50]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Seems to me your equipment is way to hot. The tube that mine came in calls for around 700 degrees. Again, trick was to clean it first with a stainless brush and then to tin it before trying any repair. Mine worked great!!!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Maybe I need to get my propane torch.

Yeah, use the propane torch. I was using a MAPP torch on 3/8" thick aluminum and it was about right, enough to heat up the aluminum quickly.

Then a few days later I was working on another piece and was thinking why the *** isn't this stuff melting Looked down and I had swapped to a propane bottle earlier in the day, kept at it with the propane and finally got it.

With a small part, thin piece I'd probably try it with propane first.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

Most of the videos I seen are not using oxyacetilene, sounds like propane is the way to go. I also have a Mapp but both are in my friends house. I will be looking for them... thanks!

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Brazing Aluminum?

I also have a Mapp but both are in my friends house. I will be looking for them... thanks!

Yeah, that's my luck. I'm nice and lend out my stuff,,,, then when I need it I have to go tracking it down