Jim, Not a welder myself but am very involved with it at the plant. Aluminum needs to be clean, very clean. Typically we etch the aluminum in tanks of hydrofluoric acid but for large work or repairs where that isn't practical we buy the acid in a bottle and brush it on. It should be available at any welding supply house. It removes all of the oxidation from the pores of the metal. If you use it, be very careful. If it was to get under your finger nails it can actually attack the bone and is quite painful to treat. Read the caution label carefully. I agree with earlier posts that TIG is better and will do a neater job. Also agree that you need a shielding gas although I think there may be some coated wires available for small jobs.Godspeed, Dan Solomon"It is a mistake to allow any mechanical object to realize you are in a hurry."http://www.freewebs.com/chevelles1970/
> Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 08:45:30 -0700> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: > chevelle-list@chevelles.net> Subject: [Chevelle-list] welding aluminum - > OY!!> > With my '66 I had to learn how to MIG weld so I could> redo the > quarters, floors, and other misc work. I was> able to pick it up relatively > easy, and have been> really thankful that I learned the trade.> > However, > now I have to do some aluminum welding on my> Vette project, and let's just > say the learning> experience has been nowhere near as fun. I'm using a> > Lincoln SP-125 Plus with the aluminum feeding kit,> 4043 wire, and getting > all the info I can off the web.> The metal I need to weld is .060", and man > is it> tougher to get welded than steel.. > > I guess I just typed this email > to vent and see what> other tips others might be able to provide who have> > gone through the same experience- my biggest> misconception is that knowing > how to weld steel might> help me along with being able to weld aluminum..> > WRONG! 8^]> > Regards,> > Jim > '66 Malibu> > http://mywebpages.comcast.net/jbiii/my66.htm> > > > > >
