Aluminum welding

[prohandyman]

I wanting to weld some small aluminuim tubing. But don't own a welder for aluminum. Anyone tried these welding rods? They make it look easy and simple!
http://durafix.com/

[Sonetpro]

I used it once. I saw it at a boat show and he was demontrating on how you could weld aluminum cans with it. When I got home I quickly realized that is about the only thing you can do with it. Anything thicker it just would not penetrate it like a weld does. JB weld will do the same thing.

[BigDaddyCool]

they are crap

[tonyj]

I tried a similar rod years ago called Aluma-weld, or something like that. Bought 2 pounds of rods. Still have all but 3 of them. I'll be the first to admit that my soldering and welding is about average, but those rods don't penetrate at all. Can't recommend them.

[reiltear]

Great question! Even though I'm not an expert welder, I knew that welding aluminum is a bit more involved than Durafix claims.

Here's the description of the proper procedure:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/alum.asp

[kerryd]

I looked at the Lincoln site . They're give'n the what for on mig welding and the guy in the picture is tig welding . Good info though . Just an observation . Kerry

[Nitetimes]

Three very important steps to getting good welds in aluminum

1. Clean it.....

2. Clean it some more....

3. Now, clean it real good....

Stainless steel wire brush is a must!!!

Everything else is secondary to the first 3 steps.

If you have to re-weld it repeat steps 1 thru 3.

[G-force]

If the rods you have are similar to what I have seen in the past, they are more of an aluminum solder, braze at best. The only proper ways to weld aluminum are with the MIG or TIG process. It can be oxy-fuel welded, but thats more of an art, and not considered structural. Find a good weldshop familiar with welding aluminum and let them do it.

Mike

[Art & Pat Burns]

I used to work for a company that made all aluminum skylights and roof curbs. Everything was Tig welded. The welders told me it is like welding two sticks of butter together.

Art

[So-Cal Teardrops]

A couple more tips from an experienced AL welder:

1. Clean it
2. Clean it real good
3. Clean it some more