gas weld aluminum?

[orezok]

Here's a good video for aluminum brazing. Might not be exactly what you need, but similar.

YouTube - Brazing Aluminum

 

[Soundguy]

thanks for all the replies.

soundguy

 

[BXpanded]

If you don't aggressively clean the metal with a stainless brush, there will be too much oxidation to weld. The metal oxide " skin" melts at 2 x's the melting point of the aluminum itself. The metal underneath will melt but the oxide skin will not change at all and pretty soon you have a big glob of molten aluminum on your feet, or lap. Clean, super clean metal ( not just "shiny") is key.

Another tip: Use a Stainless brush that has NEVER been used on steel. A brush previously used on steel will have picked up a bit of iron and will smear it right into the surface of the aluminum. It can drive you crazy trying to figure out what you are doing wrong.

 

[Soundguy]

sounds like aluminum is very picky about contaminates.

soundguy

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Picky...very picky.

Any problem associated with welding aluminum, usually goes back to a contamination issue in my experience. Well, that, and it doesn't give a "warning" color when its ready to melt...it just gets a shiny (if properly cleaned) look to the area and then falls through.

 

[sandman2234]

I bought a Miller 330 that the U of Fla traded in for a newer model. Best way to learn to weld aluminum!`tig? David from jax

 

[Arc Angel]

When I went to welding school they required you to weld AL with oxy/ace before you could pass. Was a challenge to say the least. Tig is a mimllion times easier. One instuctor liked to show off using a cutting torch, he could weld very well but boy did he move along the seam.