Aluminium Welding Question?

[Hip]

Can cast aluminium be welded to plate?

I cut up the factory bracket on the front of my 4.3 Vortec where the AC Compressor was to put a bracket for a york there.

Can i just weld the plates to the existing cast bracket?

 

[TigTorch]

Yes, it will weld very nicely, to plate or to cast.


Some cast aluminums are alloyed with zink and others that make then unweldable. These parts are typically carburator bodys, trinkets and other thin wall non-structural stuff. This does not sound like your bracket.

Regarding plate, there are sheet Aluminums that are not weldable either for that matter. Most of what you will find in a metal supply outfit like 6000's and 5000's alloys weld just fine.

I've repair welded tons and tons of aluminum motorcycle and car cases, controlls, oil pans ect, and never found one that wouldn't weld.

TIP: 99% of welding aluminum is cleaning the base metal. Bring it spotless clean to your weldor and save him the cleaning hassle.

 

[Hip]

thanks for the tips, should be ready to weld tomorrow.

Now to find someone to weld it for me....?

 

[War-Jeeper]

If i had a TIG at home i would do it for ya Hip, but i cant afford one

 

[Hip]

my buddy down the street "GRW on the board" has the stuff to migweld aluminium but i have never seen him weld aluminium. :kiss:

i could take it to work and get one of the HTs to weld it, but ive seen thier work .

ill figure it out i need to get a serpintine pully first so i know exactly where it sits on the big bracket.

 

[MarcW]

we might be able to work somethin out pm me.

 

[KarlVP]

thanks for the tips, should be ready to weld tomorrow.

Now to find someone to weld it for me....?

Dan-O from the Timber tamers does fawking stupendous work. He lives in everett too.

 

[Hip]

we might be able to work somethin out pm me.

ill keep that in mind if i cant work it out here locally. i have avenues....

so when it comes to having it clean, beyond bare shiny metal, brushed with new SS wirebrush? is there anything more needed beyond that?

 

[TigTorch]

For cleaning aluminum, the cats meow is a red 2" scotch brite wheel on a 90 motor to get the surface corrosion/dullness off.

Sounds like you doing just fine with the brush. :awesomework:

Your Weldor will have to futz with it a bit anyway (do some trimming/grinding) to get the fit-up he wants.

 

[Hip]

Dan-O from the Timber tamers does fawking stupendous work. He lives in everett too.

Karl you got any contact info for dan-o? the HTs at work hooked me up with all the stuff i should need to tack the brackets at home. i need either sam or Dan-O to make sure i do it correctly or just do it for me....

Sam if your listening you have a PM.

 

[Hip]

we might be able to work somethin out pm me.

im trying to find someone local to help the drive from Kirkland to everett would not be worth it for the few minutes to tack it. but id really like to get this done this weekend sometime.

 

[Hip]

ok just got off the phone with Sam he will be over tomorrow to get er done.

Thanks all

Pictures are here.

http://www.nw-wheelers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6262

 

[War-Jeeper]

Lookin forward too seeing the project in person Hip:awesomework:

 

[Hip]

Sam if you have any hook up directions for any spool gun can you bring em?

 

[War-Jeeper]

I will search the net later and see what i can come up with

 

[Hip]

ok so does anyone have a portable welding set up that can do this at my shop?

i guess i could seperate the motor and bring the motor to someones shop but it would be easier to move the welder id think. anyway i need help here?

Any ideas?

 

[darius]

ok so does anyone have a portable welding set up that can do this at my shop?

i guess i could seperate the motor and bring the motor to someones shop but it would be easier to move the welder id think. anyway i need help here?

Any ideas?

call the shop, if your gonna be hauling it, all you've gotta do is back up to the bay door.