So in addition to fabbing up some case guards I'm planning on fabbing a luggage rack or frame for a top box using aluminum. I read up on the low temp aluminum welding and got some of the rod to test. At first, using propane I couldn't get the rod to melt and when it did melt it wouldn'tmeld with the aluminum test pieces.
I reckoned that I wasn't getting enough heat so I changed up to Mapp gas. In addition, I had been using a chunk of steel as platform to rest the alum. It was likely acting as a heatsink and sucking the power so to speak. I got some firebrick and this combined with the gas was the trick.
The aluminum strap and tube I intend on using heat up in less than a minute and the rod flows in all nooks and crannies. When liquid, it can be moved around with the tip of a screw driver or steel rod. Once solidified, it can be reliquified witha a touch of flame.
The welds can be ground after cooling but if done carefully this may not be necessary. When butt joining two pieces, the metal will deform before the weld breaks....pretty impressive.
I think the secret to good welds is preping the metal with a steel brush or file ( to remove the oxidation) and lots of heat. Heat the metal not the rod. Once the metal is at temp the rod will flow with extra effort.
I think this is good stuff and could be very useful for small repairs and fabrication jobs.
I'll let you know how my project goes.
Cheers all,
Spyug
I reckoned that I wasn't getting enough heat so I changed up to Mapp gas. In addition, I had been using a chunk of steel as platform to rest the alum. It was likely acting as a heatsink and sucking the power so to speak. I got some firebrick and this combined with the gas was the trick.
The aluminum strap and tube I intend on using heat up in less than a minute and the rod flows in all nooks and crannies. When liquid, it can be moved around with the tip of a screw driver or steel rod. Once solidified, it can be reliquified witha a touch of flame.
The welds can be ground after cooling but if done carefully this may not be necessary. When butt joining two pieces, the metal will deform before the weld breaks....pretty impressive.
I think the secret to good welds is preping the metal with a steel brush or file ( to remove the oxidation) and lots of heat. Heat the metal not the rod. Once the metal is at temp the rod will flow with extra effort.
I think this is good stuff and could be very useful for small repairs and fabrication jobs.
I'll let you know how my project goes.
Cheers all,
Spyug
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