Welding aly (oxy acetylene)
Turbo Mini Forums

Has anyone got any hints or tips for welding aluminium with oxy acetylene?

I know the other thread in FAQ has some good general pointers, but its mainly steel biased.

Had a go today, just some butt joints and lap joints, using a no. 1 tip (BOC torch), the stuff was about 1.5mm thick. Then tried a no.2 tip on some 3mm thick sheet.

Had a couple of good runs toward the end of the evening, i think the flux im using might not be the best as getting the rod to fuse with the sheet was quite difficult, also, when the parent metal finally decides to 'pool' so to speak, its about the size of your thumb nail (quite large) so easily blows through.

Anyway, I guess most people use tigs these days but if anyone can shed any light on matter id greatly appreciate it.

Another thing is, the metal is hard as fuck afterward, is there anyway to minimise this?

Cheers

Joe

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

I bought a couple of books on welding when I bought my Tig last week....
I think there was some stuff in it about welding alu with gas....
I think oxy/hydrogen was also mentioned, not that it helps you...
I'll try and take a look over it tomorrow and see if there's anything.

BTW, I blow holes with my new tig too lol

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

I do this for a living.
The size of the tip depends upon your gas pressure and metal thickness therefore go for what youre comfortable with.
The biggest tip is mix your powdered flux with clean cold water and brush it onto the joint and welding rod. (When I was an apprentice the guys swapped mine with milk for a laugh, it took me ages to figure out why it kept burning)
Make sure the metal is spotlessly clean.
Lap joints will be difficult, all the welding I do on alloy is butt welded.
Paul

I seriously doubt it!

yeah, i know what you mean about cleaning the metal before hand, im using a stainless wire brush, then i clean the muck off with alcohol.#

What pressures do you suggest Paul? I think ours was about 15psi acety and 20 ish oxy, this sound about right?

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

I think i red alohol can leave an oily residue, o it may be a bad move.

sorry, it was acetone i used to clean the pieces

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

ahh, well that shuold be ok.

Pressures sound OK, use scotchbrite or wire wool to clean it, dont bother with acetone.
Paul

I seriously doubt it!