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Welding with low heat aluminum rod.

  • Thread starter Thread starter spyug
  • Start date Start date
S

spyug

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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
 
The stuff is Alumiweld from Harbour Freight 8 rods for$12 or so. As I understand it, it is not the best stuff but its all that I could find for now. I'm told the HTS 2000 formula is better.

This rod seems to be good enough for what I want to do so I'll give it a whirl.

If anyone knows where I can get more of it or the HTS in Canada, I'd appreciate knowing.

Cheers all,
Spyug
 
Princess Auto sells much the same product under the Bernzomatic label. Liquifies at 700F to 750F. The is also a product called Aladdin 3 in 1 rod that I have used that worked well.
 
I have the HTS-2000, and I used to have Alumalloy (which I hated). The HTS-2000 IS more forgiving, though one thing I was told that might have made the other rods work better is that you MUST clean the parts with a stainless steel brush or you will continue to contaminate the surface and prevent optimum bonding.

If you go to http://www.aluminumrepair.com/ (the HTS-2000 site) I believe you can order directly from them, as well as pick up some additional info that is helpful in using the stuff. The firebrick was an EXCELLENT idea, as is preheating large aluminum pieces in a grill before trying to make joints.

Look forward to seeing the results!

Regards,
 
A former welding company owner and active welding expert the big rule of thumb that is obvious is the higher quality the material the better the weld. I used HF electrodes before and they actually worked fine. What your talking about should work fine too. And PREP is the most important thing to good welds.:dancing:
 
i have been wanting to try that for years! post up some photos!
 
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