welding alloy with oxy-acetylene

[sexyvicta]

lol

anybody tried this? i heard you can but have not found any info

wanting to repair lawnmower bodies

cheers

 

[The Mechtician]

I have never done it, but it is definitely possible. You will need flux, special goggles and possibly a selection of tips for you torch setup. A quick googling turned up this thread @ the Home Machinist forums. I also found this video:
How good is your TIG weld?

Alternately, I've had some experience with Aladdin 3-in-1 aluminum brazing rods, they melt with nothing more than a propane torch and produce super strong joints. Here's a vid and a good link:
Durafix Aluminum Welding Rods

 

[sexyvicta]

cool as thanks

well i have some alloy+silicon welding/brazing rods that look to be about 30 years old unopened in bag. Also have about 10 different tips for welder so looks like im good to go / will fail due to lack of skills

 

[The Mechtician]

well i have some alloy+silicon welding/brazing rods that look to be about 30 years old unopened in bag

Well that's an entirely different story Obviously they never go bad, but if it's a silicon alloy (I'm guessing silicon bronze) you may find that its melting temperature is significantly higher than aluminum. It does, however, work really well for helibrazing (which is brazing with a TIG torch). I've used it to fix cracked cast iron pieces and for joining dissimilar metals. For gas welding aluminum though, it simply will not work. Don't throw it away though, it's good stuff and will probably come in handy someday!

 

[Gillgamesh64]

The problem is you have to get the rods hot enuf to braze but slightly higher and the alloy will just collaps

 

[sexyvicta]

Well that's an entirely different story Obviously they never go bad, but if it's a silicon alloy (I'm guessing silicon bronze) you may find that its melting temperature is significantly higher than aluminum. It does, however, work really well for helibrazing (which is brazing with a TIG torch). I've used it to fix cracked cast iron pieces and for joining dissimilar metals. For gas welding aluminum though, it simply will not work. Don't throw it away though, it's good stuff and will probably come in handy someday!

yeh it was my dads and he only ever had the oxy set. Must be for welding cast iron like you say. Pretty sure it says aluminium 30% silicon or something. Cant remember and too lazy to go find it.

The problem is you have to get the rods hot enuf to braze but slightly higher and the alloy will just collaps

yeh lack of skills will be my downfall. May give it a go anyway on some scrap. Sure would be a handy skill

 

[Gillgamesh64]

I think they are for brasing alloys and brass, But the silicon will be closer to 10%!

 

[sexyvicta]

yeh it was something like that