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Thread: Aluminium

  1. #1
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    Jul 2006
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    Vite Vite, SW Victoria
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    Default Aluminium

    Hi All

    I've had a bit of a read through the forum over a fair period of time, and consider myself a beginner in terms of arc and mig (I do not own a mig) but have used employers machines at times.

    But my question is, what is the easiest and cheapest way for me at home to weld aluminium, what I have in mind is welding box section aluminium with probably a 2mm or slightly thicker wall, and mainly butt welding sections together, to make framing for camper walls or maybe a ute canopy, etc...

    Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

    Matt

  2. #2
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    Jun 2007
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    Ipswich QLD
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    Default

    There is no cheap way of welding aluminium

    There are Oxy & Butane systems around which are not costly but welding rods flux are not cheap. The heat in this would buckle butt welding over the distance you have in mind.

    Mig-Tig is the best way to go

    Check out your nearest Gasweld store

  3. #3
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    Aug 2005
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    Queensland
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    Default

    Firstly, let me say that what I know of welding is Nil.

    But I'm certainly interested and recently came across this..... This site is something from a rural magazine which claims to be able to weld [to tig strength and quality] using an Australian invention but the company promoting is called American Welding - even though it is an "au" coding on the website - don't quite follow how this works.

    The advert claims that "it is possible to weld aluminium, stainless, copper, brass mild steel all castings etc..." my normal experience of tools which claim to be able to do everything is that they don't normally do much well but I'm prepared to keep an open mind.

    The magazine is the November issue of "Farmer Direct"

    http://www.amweld.com.au

    Not sure if this is going to help or to muddy the waters further.

    Regards,
    Bob

    PS I'd be interested to hear of any experiences with this tool, either for or against.

  4. #4
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    South Australia
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    Default

    Used to be called a dillon was invented in Australia, some people swear by them, personally I am not a fan

  5. #5
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    Default gave them a quick ring

    Sounded very interesting so gave them a quick ring ,the kits start fro $699 = $35 postage within aussie.Not so cheap but I am very interested to hear from anyone who uses one.
    ---mat

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bob38S View Post
    The advert claims that "it is possible to weld aluminium, but I'm prepared to keep an open mind.

    .
    "I think it is possible " is the key , it is possable to weld aluminium with just oxy hard but possable and is a two skilled person operation removing the oxide layer as you go . However as bob said keep an open mind
    In my opinion you need to outlay about $ 1700 up for an ac / dc tig unit then about $120 a year argon bottle rental + the cost of the argon , tips , filler rods and other consumables to get any sort of a good job , and thats the bottom end of the market
    Ashore




    The trouble with life is there's no background music.

  7. #7
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    Dec 2005
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    NE Melbourne
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    Default

    What about these al arc welding rods from Bob the Welder?
    Mentions cast and wrought but not extruded aluminium.

    http://www.bobthewelder.com.au/produ...&cat=10&page=1

    * ALUMINIUM DC MMA WELDING Electrode

    * Use for fabrication and repair of cast & wrought aluminium, foundry defects, machining errors and salvage work.

    Cheers
    <>
    Hi, my name is Glenn and I'm a tool-o-holic, it's been 32 minutes since I last bought a tool......

  8. #8
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    Mar 2007
    Location
    Adelaide South Australia
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    Default

    I have had the "dillon" for so long I have forgotten where I got it.

    It uses little gas as it works on low pressure and with the mid range tip I can control the heat from barely melting lead to butt welding 2mm steel plate

    I have had no luck with alu. I can control the puddling but I can't get it to flow together even with an alu flux compound applied liberally to both surfaces and the filler rod.

    Having said all this and having used oxy for 35+ yrs I have had no formal training and still consider myself a beginner, always learning.
    Don't force it, use a bigger hammer.

    Timber is what you use. Wood is what you burn.

  9. #9
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    Used to be called a dillon was invented in Australia, some people swear by them, personally I am not a fan
    And neither am I. China.

    When I was a man arts teacher ,the department purchased one.The sheetmetal teacher and myself thought having one would be a real good thing.Remember! we are in barra country and a bit of modifying customizing tinnies goes on - follow the drift? EDIT by the students

    Firstly we could not get the thing to weld aluminum a decent manner. No mugs here either all trained teachers and highly skilled tradesmen as well, in our particular fields.We are experienced and savvy enough having tig & mig welded aluminium so there were no surprises in the metal itself.

    The system requires non standard low flow regulators to weld the aluminium .I researched that and picked it up somewhere off the net.

    Fortunately we had the services of a registered gas fitter trained in repair and service of gas regulators.
    Bear in mind that this fellow is an extremely clever chap and this was one of the few times I have seen him unable to triumph over a difficult bit of equipment.

    Secondly the after sales service from this crowd does not exist.They did not answer emails or phone messages.
    I would say buyer beware .Industry has not taken up this system- that alone should tell you something!

    regards all

    Grahame

  10. #10
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Ashore View Post
    "I think it is possible " is the key , it is possable to weld aluminium with just oxy hard but possable and is a two skilled person operation removing the oxide layer as you go . However as bob said keep an open mind
    In my opinion you need to outlay about $ 1700 up for an ac / dc tig unit then about $120 a year argon bottle rental + the cost of the argon , tips , filler rods and other consumables to get any sort of a good job , and thats the bottom end of the market
    I did not see Ashores post until just now.I had to go out late night shopping with SWMBO uuugghhhh!!! after I posted the first time.

    Ashore is dead set correct.

    I have seen aluminum welded with oxy.It's not pretty like a good tig pass but certainly functional enough. I did not see the actual process but was told about the it by the man who had welded the item It is just normal filler wire and a flux which was made by CIG -possibly still available through CIGWELD.edit Comweld Aluminium Flux - For fusion welding aluminium alloys; Useable in either powder or paste form.

    The old fella who showed me was an ex technical seargent in the Australian Army circa WW2.

    The flux he told me,was highly corrosive and had to be washed off throughly.When I think about it it sounds right as the corrosive nature probably would be suitable in dealing with the thick oxide found on aluminium.

    There is discussion of it on the American Tinmen sheet metal forum. http://www.tinmantech.com/

    Grahame

  11. #11
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    Queensland
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    Default

    You've just got to love this forum - thanks gentlemen, you have certainly given me a greater insight.

    Regards,
    Bob

  12. #12
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by China View Post
    Used to be called a dillon ...
    Was also called the Henrob torch ... I wonder why they keep changing the name?
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    cessnock
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    Default aluminium welding

    easiest way by tig. [with a lot of practice and mastering it ] proberly not the cheapest.
    my tig, 200amp advanced square wave model bought off e/bay from china $1800aust.
    with all required attachments including tungsten rods +torch spares.
    argon gas bottle annual rent approx $160. gas refill approx. $70 . kilo 2.3 filler rods $50. if your to weld new aluminiun stock . reasonably easy to do if welding old and dirty stock a lot of cleaning up required.

  14. #14
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    Jul 2006
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    Vite Vite, SW Victoria
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    Default

    Thanks Toby

    Thats probably the answer to the question I should have posed at the beginning, easiest and cheapest? Perhaps should have been the way to ask.

    I do realise that it won't be overly cheap, but was wondering what would be the cheapest, the real answer to the question is somewhat avoided in other threads, concentrating on the cost, rather than the method.

    The Krieger brand welders on Ebay, would they be worth looking at? Has anyone got one, or had some experience with them? Any help much appreciated.

    Regards

    Matt

  15. #15
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    Default

    you can get sticks for an ark welder to weld aluminum

    www.carlweiss.com.au
    Mobile Sawmilling & Logging Service
    8" & 10" Lucas Mills, bobcat, 4wd tractor, 12 ton dozer, stihl saws.

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