brazing aluminum....???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
brazing aluminum....???
i have a current project where i'm debating on brazing aluminum or mig welding aluminum... i'm using 1/4" aluminum and creating a "T" type form and thinking of tabbing them together and doing a plug weld and sanding smooth. since i'm going for a clean look i dont want to weld the inner corners (did that on my prototype) and was thinking that maybe brazing the tabs would work. i recessed the tabs 1/8" so i have some room to build up also.... the parts are for furniture legs for a project i'm working on...
so, would brazing be suitable for this application since my access to a mig welder is limited.
so, would brazing be suitable for this application since my access to a mig welder is limited.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 857
Likes: 1
From: Morrisonville Illinios
You might try some of that alum. rod you can pick it up at Harbor freight and just use a propane torch. We have used it a bunch with good results and alot easyier if you can't drag a welder around. One thing is to have the stuff clean and only use a clean stainless wire brush to clean before welding!
Good luck wro87
Good luck wro87
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 833
From: WI
Our guys braze cooling coils on industrial cooling equipment all the time. The results are great. They get these special rods that are quite expensive from places like United Refrigeration (look for industrial refrigeration supply stores in your ph book). These rods are a special alloy and are quite strong. They also usually flood the area with nitrogen for a better braze. I've personally tried brazing with a hardware store kit and the results were awful. I don't know if it was the kit or my technique. I tried sevaral times. Our guys told me that the cheap rods aren't worth a darn.
Anyway, if you were to mig weld it, you'd need CO2 and the results from a cosmetic standpoint wouldn't be very good chances are. Generally there is a discolored area next to the weld with mig and some slag. It would hold ok though. The way to get nice welds on aluminum, aircraft quality, that look great are by TIG welding ...using a very good tig machine and an experienced welder. Doesn't sound like that's in your cards right now. Good luck.
Mark G
Anyway, if you were to mig weld it, you'd need CO2 and the results from a cosmetic standpoint wouldn't be very good chances are. Generally there is a discolored area next to the weld with mig and some slag. It would hold ok though. The way to get nice welds on aluminum, aircraft quality, that look great are by TIG welding ...using a very good tig machine and an experienced welder. Doesn't sound like that's in your cards right now. Good luck.
Mark G
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
i'm thinking of getting some test pieces water jet cut for my tabbing and see if i can get my tolerances tight enough to where i can just pound the pieces together and lock them without any brazing/welding/etc.... i might have to heat them up a bit to get the metal to expand a bit and maybe help with the friction...hmmmm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
Aluminum brazing rod is usually a high Zinc content welding rod not too desirable if you want a strong joint. If you have a MIG I would use a spool gun or better yet pay a good alumiunm welder to do the job for you, I used to be quite good at TIG welding Aluminum, but can do it for squat right now. Practice on something you don't love before attacking your project.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 605
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma CA
Brazed hard lines for my new cross flow condensor. Used the Mapp gas plumbing torch. Worked very nicely except the one I overheated and it melted the fitting.
Got the rods from Docs Blocks. I have a nice mig but did not want to invest in a second tank just for AL.
Got the rods from Docs Blocks. I have a nice mig but did not want to invest in a second tank just for AL.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,186
Likes: 45
From: detroit area
i'm working on having some samples done with the tabs and taking into account the tolerances... hoping to have the fit tight enough to where i need a hard hit of a rubber mallet to join them and lock them... i could braze the tabs after the fact and sand smooth but i think after the brazing, the tab area will still show...which is fine by me actually just as long as it looks clean
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