Aluminum brazing/welding

[bbenkaz]

Has anyone had any experience with using the aluminum welding rods using a torch?
http://aluminumrepair.com/aluminum_repair.asp
http://durafix.com/

 

[iwombat]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

yep, works great.

 

[bbenkaz]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

would it be recommended for structural joints? I am thinking of putting a small platform in an aluminum jonboat. I thought about using some alum angle I have and these rods instead of rivets? yes/no/maybe
Thanks

 

[iwombat]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

Structurally it's great stuff. What you'll need to watch for is warping of your aluminum under the heat. If you've got thick stuff - no problem. Thin sheet, and it may warp and not come back.

 

[bbenkaz]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

cool thanks

 

[iwombat]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

One more helpful hint.

For isolated pieces mapp gas works great. For something like a boat hull (aka giant heat sinc) you may need to go with a rosebud oxy/acetelyne tip. Dunno - never tried it with a hunk of aluminum as big as a boat. I'd pick a test spot and see if you can get the rods to go liquid in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[JB]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

Hard to get a small spot hot enough to melt the brazing rod on a large heat sink without heating a large area with propane or even Mapp gas.

I have one of those little propane/oxygen torch sets (I use Mapp/oxygen) and it does a wonderful job, even on castings.

 

[tommays]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

Well what ever it is, it is NOT welding and the MSDS shows a Melting point: of 717-737F which is not happening as fast as the video shows without a real torch

And just for fun you need to try and warm up a soda can BEFORE you buy it and you will see just how hard that is to do


The crazy glue man holds himself up with a Sq inch on his hardhat; we all know how well that works on a real repair

And yes thats .027 wall tubeing on the ends and .019 wall in the centers

And yes I do get paid to weld stuff and have tried many miracle products and the ones that work still require correct prep work and skill

Tommays

 

[bbenkaz]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

Well what ever it is, it is NOT welding and the MSDS shows a Melting point: of 717-737F which is not happening as fast as the video shows without a real torch

And just for fun you need to try and warm up a soda can BEFORE you buy it and you will see just how hard that is to do

I am somewhat skeptical of the product hence why I asked the question. A couple people have had luck with it so.......... I just wish I knew how to weld and then the problem would be solved.


The crazy glue man holds himself up with a Sq inch on his hardhat; we all know how well that works on a real repair

And yes thats .027 wall tubeing on the ends and .019 wall in the centers

And yes I do get paid to weld stuff and have tried many miracle products and the ones that work still require correct prep work and skill

Tommays

 

[bbenkaz]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

I am somewhat skeptical of being able to use it on say a boat due to the heat sink capability of the boat itself. I just wish I knew how to weld and then the problem would be solved. Guess I will just have to rivet.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

I have some, i use it all the time. It works basically as advertised. Just never tried it with anything large.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

How thick is the metal you are going to be welding?

The reason I ask is that for 1/4" aluminum, you would need a 250 amp TIG welder to weld it if you went that route. You will be having a tough time with a torch.

I suggest you pay someone to do the welding properly.

You can also ask your question at a welding site that I frequent.

http://www.weldingweb.com/

I do MIG and TIG welding as a hobby. Have not done aluminum yet. Aluminum is a lot harder to weld than steel or stainless.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

Ayuh,.........I'm with Tommays on this 1........

I've been Mig Welding Aluminum for years,.....

That Super Welding Rod you're talking about is more of a Flowable Solder,+ Not a Welding Rod.....

I guess iwombat has had Better Luck with it than I have,..... But I Can't feature it'll be Usable for the task you're requiring of it.......

 

[iwombat]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

I don't do anything close to 1/4". 3/16" may be the biggest I've ever tried. But you're not trying for penetration of the material either.

I use it for applications where brazing is appropriate, which as it happens is quite a lot. It's not anywhere close to welding, but there's very few projects using aluminum I work on that actually really need a proper weld. For that matter, you probably don't want to use pop rivets where you need a weld either.

I have a tig welder for steel that I use for automotive projects. To be honest, I suck at welding aluminum so I braze when I can.

More on topic, I did a test on a hidden corner of my 12' gamefisher with mapp gas last night, and it liquified just fine. I don't think I'd have any issues brazing 1/8" stock to it.


Plus, if it doesn't work out properly you can just fall back on using rivets.

 

[dadgummit]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

I tig aluminum all the time with a fancy welder, but for what your doing that alumalloy stuff is perfect. make it stronger by doing a lap joint over the top instead of just butting it to the side.

 

[tommays]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

I am sure it can do some things fine BUT when you watch THERE video it becomes a snakeoil show

There is a reason its not certifed by the AWS or anybody


Tommays

 

[iwombat]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

Well, yes. It is a sales video after all. You need to watch it as such.

It's easy and convenient brazing and no more.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

I'd equate it to Soldering,........

Brazing it Ain't............

 

[imported_philrajotte]

Re: Aluminum brazing/welding

if you are not sure about brazing it take it to a welder aluminum melts at 1100 degrees and it does not change color when it happens and anything stuctural i would weld rather than braze and i have been welding for 40 years
have a good day
phil