Aluminum welding

[Enigma]

Weighing my options.....but does anyone in the club have a TIG machine for aluminum?

I'd like to try and repair this broken foot casting on the better one of my spare winches.

And if possible, the pawl mount on another one. This would be a beeyatch I think though....

 

[LanceCruiser]

Hey, Jeff.

I have some of these rods, if you want to try it out. Graham and John tried it out with not much success, but I don't think the conditions were ideal and the surfaces were not hot enough for a good bond.

Aluminum Welding - Aluminum Repair - Aluminum Brazing - AluminumRepair.com

 

[hybric4x4diesel]

hi jeff,
bring it over to me,i have all the goodies to do the job.

 

[crawlin cruiser]

I got mine done at a local shop for a case of beer, still holding up!

 

[Enigma]

hi jeff,
bring it over to me,i have all the goodies to do the job.

I'll try and swing by this weekend John.

 

[hybric4x4diesel]

yea sure come on over.

 

[dr_claw]

Feel free to give it a try.... I have had limited success with cast Alu.

Maybe a spool gun and lots of wire would be better than TIG ?

 

[hellbent40]

if your going to tig it... i would recommend disassembling it down to the casing and cleaning it up... surface cleaning and heat it a bit with a propane torch to bring out some of the hydrogen... and a bit of preheat will help with tigin it back on.. and 4043 rod does flow alot better than a 5356 rod..

 

[Glenn-BJ74]

must be very clean first

 

[hybric4x4diesel]

alluminiun repair has to be clean very nicely before proceed to weld. even the rod has several type,depending on alloy back ground & application used.

 

[Enigma]

I stripped it down to the bare case along with the other one to cut up if required. I used Ishobies video for info, it's a great how to guide. It's funny how guides like this have everything come apart very easy; I had to do some drilling, liberal use of the BFH a couple times, and some prybars to unsieze some components. It's much more satisfying using the BFH when you aren't too worried about things like broken castings

 

[prado t]

I have a spool gun with a tank of argon ready to go

 

[Enigma]

Thanks for the offer Aaron, but it's all welded up now, thanks John. Now I hope I can remember how it goes back together

 

[hybric4x4diesel]

Thanks for the offer Aaron, but it's all welded up now, thanks John. Now I hope I can remember how it goes back together

you are welcome ,anytime & take it easy,you figure it out.

 

[hellbent40]

u got a pic of it welded back on...