Re: Anyone ever try HTS 2000 Brazing Rod?
Yeah, I've used it.
It's not a bad option if you keep in mind its limitations and follow the rules for brazing.
For those not familiar with this, it's a low temperature aluminum repair rod made of a zinc alloy (I believe) that works like regular brazing rod or a high temperature solder (which is really what it is).
There are several manufacturers of similar products now, and you can buy this stuff in a lot of places, including local hardware stores.
Things to remember for using it:
* Clean metal is required. Very clean metal. Wipe clean with acetone, brush or grind, then wipe clean again. Shiny new aluminum is what you want.
* It won't bridge large gaps. You can't fill big holes with it, you need to cut a patch from some other piece of metal.
* It flows very well into small gaps, provided the metal is heated
* Even so, grind out hull cracks into a V shape both so you have clean metal and so you have more surface area for adhesion
* Some rods require flux, some don't... I'd use it regardless to help clean the metal
* For joining larger pieces of metal (as opposed to patching pinholes or cracks) Apply one coat of the stuff, keeping it hot, and brush it in with a stainless steel brush to thoroughly wet the metal, then create your joint with a second application.
* Keep in mind that this stuff is stronger than solder or gluvit, weaker than brazing or welding. Test your new joint, grab it with pliers and pull hard. If it's done properly nothing will happen. If it failed to adhere, it'll come off pretty easily. Give it another try.
It's easy to mess up using this stuff, but you can always pull it apart and try again. You can use a regular propane torch with it, but for larger metal pieces you'll probably want to pre-heat with a heat gun and maybe also use a oxy-fuel torch. Aluminum conducts heat very, very well, and it'll be hard to keep a large piece hot enough to melt this stuff. Consider using a heat sink near your work area to keep stuff you don't want heated cold. It won't help the welding, but it may save you a burn.
All in all, if it works this is good stuff, but it can be frustrating to get it to work right. I suggest practice before working on a boat you care about.
Erik
in the future
