Welding Aluminium?

[seaton]

Hi, I’m in the middle of a little project that requires the joining of a Range Rover roof, I’ve tried spot welding with no success, so now i'm down to either bonding, riveting or welding. I have a MIG welder that will take 0.8mm aluminium wire, and just wanted to know if any one has tried this with any success or has any tips.
cheers
Rich

[wedg1e]

If you're going to MIG it you'll need argon gas.
It's also wise to strip the torch and fit a new liner as it'll be contaminated with oxidation from the steel wire.
It's a bloody art form too. If you do a good job, can you teach me how to...?

[Sheepy]

Here's a practical way of trying the same thing as welding ally but mouch cheaper to try: Buy two large chocolate bars and a packet of matchmakers. Using a blowtorch (on it's highest setting), try joining the two bars together using the matchmakers as a sort of filler rod without causing either bar to melt too much. When you can make a perfect join between the two bars with no sign of either bar melting, then you are ready to try welding ally. If (like me) you just end up with a puddle of chocolatey goo, either practise more or get someone else to do it!!

I had to tig some holes and add a small patch to the ally bonnet that I'm preparing for my MGB. Fortunately the problem was on the frame underneath the skin, so can't normally be seen. To be honest, it looks completely shite, but is functional. No way would I try to do it myself ever again.

HTH

Sheepy

[wedg1e]

Sheepy said:

I had to tig some holes and add a small patch to the ally bonnet that I'm preparing for my MGB. Fortunately the problem was on the frame underneath the skin, so can't normally be seen. To be honest, it looks completely shite, but is functional. No way would I try to do it myself ever again. HTH Sheepy

Can I have your TIG set then?

[steve_D]

Joggle one edge and bond it with some rivets for good measure and to hold it whilst it sets.
You will not weld it as, one it is very thin, two it is old and hardened and three contaminated with paint.

Steve

[HarryW]

We have a major problem at work when it comes to the significant Ali welding jobs, belive me when I say we probably have some of the most gifted steel welders in the country.
However I did a visit to the Philippines last year and our guys could not hold a candle to some of them there, so much so, I was tempted to flash a British passport at them to come back with me .

Back to the original Q; yes it is an art form that many will never master, me included, if you can find someone that can then use them. I doubt you could pick up the skill with a normal DIY skill set tbh.

Harry

[sheepy]

wedg1e said:

Sheepy said: No way would I try to do it myself ever again. Can I have your TIG set then?

If I owned one, you'd be welcome to borrow it. I had an evenings access to one at a local college that teaches welding.

Sheepy

[Incorrigible]

You have to reverse the polarity of the torch as well IIRC

Another story of don't even bother, I've welded coke tins together (for a bet) and I've never acheived anything more than wholely inadequate welds on thin ally