Triumphrat

xardoz

You've probably all seen the demos at conventions, car shows, home improvement shindigs, TV commercials, etc.

But has anyone actually tried this stuff? I know it's really a solder or at best a braze, but I'm wondering just how effective it really is.

Anyone?

. . .

Bueller?

. . .

Bueller?

russerts

Yes, I bought some from a relative. He can use it pretty effectively, and the guy on the video makes it look easy.
It's not easy.
Aluminum is tough to get to the right temperature, even for the solder/braze stuff they sell, without having it overheat just a little and sag out of shape. I haven't taken the time to really practice, though, so it might be well within the realm of possibility. (or maybe just beyond my skill level)

Big_Rick

I don't know, I've seen the demos at big shows and stuff and it seems almost too good to be true.
I'll just stick to the good ol' TIG.
I would be curious to know if anyone's had any success with it though.

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mkchev

Hey Xardoz, you got some aluminum you need welded ? .Drop it of at my work in the morning and I will MIG it for you. It's what I do for a job

[ This message was edited by: mkchev on 2007-05-17 04:14 ]

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xardoz

Well, it's a little bit out of the way for my commute, but I think I can swing it if I leave early enough. :razz:

In all seriousness, though, I would be using it on a head or something with too much stress. It would be for the brackets I'm starting to fab for my cheap -ass flyscreen experiment, although it may prove unnecessary if this works out the way I think it will.

Normandy

Little off topic but why is everyone using aluminum for brackets ? I know it is soft, light and easy to work with but it is those same characteristics that make it unfit for a bracket in many situations.

xardoz

For me, it's easy to prototype with, for the reasons you listed. If the part is simple enough, I can make a mild or stainless steel copy afterwards.

raproe

I've tried it and don't like it. Aluminum is very difficult to braze. Since aluminum conducts heat so well, the joint is almost always either too hot or too cold. The resulting bond is unpredictable.

I recommend using JB weld instead and have used it successfully on some pretty big aluminum glue jobs (like fabricating an engine block). Of course, if you want it right, TIG or MIG is the way to go.



Rich

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mikeinva

meg or tig is the only way to get a good weld and you got to know what grade you are working with even then its not all the same and may take another grade of wire to get a good weld

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ivar

I like working with aluminum for the reasons you list, Also I like that it won't rust.
It can be polished and also looks good "in the raw" IMO.

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