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TwinCreek 06-10-2003 07:15:09 216.193.145.250 115974 Report to Moderator	I saw an infomercial on the product "Alumaloy" which is a welding rod to repair aluminum using a propane torch. I checked out their website and saw that they also have products to repair cast iron and stainless steel. Has anyone ever used their products and do they work as well as they saw. The rods are pricey. Their website is www. alumaloy.com. [Reply]   [Send Email]
JEFF MULHERN 05-10-2004 15:09:42 12.205.144.185 133411 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   just saw that commercial for the first time last night. Here's a question for those of you who have used it: I am a custom bike builder ( motorcycle ) and Ive recently started working with a sand casting foundry. My latest vision involves BONDING two pieces of cast rod together at the ends ( about a 30 deg angle ) to form the cycles handlebars. Ive been screwing with this concpt for a year now and have never been able to get the two pieces cast together at one time. Heres the question: based on your experience do you think you would trust this stuff to bond handlebar pieces together ( lives are at stake here!!! ) they claim 30some thousand lbs of sheer.... what do ya'll think? Jeff   [Reply]   [No Email]
Bill 52 8n 06-10-2003 20:21:54 209.204.124.12 116013 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   I saw that infomercial. It seemed more like brazing than welding to me. They never melted the base material, no penatration. My .02 Bill   [Reply]   [No Email]
Ben in KY 06-11-2003 07:12:04 192.76.82.90 116029 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Alumaloy in reply to Bill 52 8n, 06-10-2003 20:21:54   Yeah I have used the stuff works pretty well for light stuff, it is Aluminum soldering though not welding.   [Reply]   [No Email]
T_Bone 06-10-2003 20:08:58 65.58.129.174 116010 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   Hi TwinCreek, Welding Aluminum is not all that hard but you do need to use a few special techniques. For 1/8" thick AL and up electrodes work well. For 1/8" and thinner, Tig, Mig or Oxy/Acet works well. Straight LP does not have enough BTU for AL gas welding but Propaylene does. Clean the area to be welded with a new SS wire brush to "white" metal. Anytime the molten puddle does not act correct, it's time to clean again. AL will get a surface black oxide (contamination) that needs to be removed during welding. I have good luck with 1/8" AL electrodes with Ocy/Acet with neutral flame on lite gauge SM. I use it with the flux on the rod. When the molten puddle is at the correct heat for adding filler metal the surface will have wrinkles. It's very close at this point to complete burn thru so timing is critical. AL electrodes are expensive no matter what brand you buy. I have not found one brand best over the others. T_Bone   [Reply]   [No Email]
Ford Man 06-10-2003 20:03:44 216.162.4.211 116009 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   Tractor Supply and most welding supply houses carry their version in lower quantities and a lower price . You must clean the area to be repaired well with a stainless steel brush 1st. . I have had good success repairng old cast aluminum lawn chairs . Good luck ! Ford Man   [Reply]   [No Email]
JDK 06-10-2003 18:57:51 209.206.208.183 116003 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   Bought some a few yrs back from tradeshow vendor,as other mentioned"Not as ez as they make it look".To me more like soldering than welding(no penetration).In some instances re-repair worked better with JB Weld or epoxy after other product failed the job.As mentioned depending on alloy(alum)temp sometimes makes base metal slump of "go away" before bond achieved,Would take lots of practice(and rod)to be as good as demonstrators are.   [Reply]   [No Email]
Bus Driver 06-10-2003 17:26:26 65.165.153.91 115990 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   I bought some from a vendor demonstrating at a show. Watched him several times. One of the secrets is to rub the rod hard into the material being repaired even while bringing the heat up to the required level. I think that the rubbing helps break the oxide layer on the aluminum. Also notice that the area is cleaned first with an uncontaminated stainless steel brush. I have been pleased with my results. I think that the rods are mostly zinc content.   [Reply]   [No Email]
9njoe 06-10-2003 07:22:46 216.204.89.194 115975 Report to Moderator	Re: Alumaloy in reply to TwinCreek, 06-10-2003 07:15:09   I have some of those rods. Bought them from the infomercial. You can get them to work but that infomercial makes it look a lot easier than it is. One thing they dont make too clear is that those rods melt at about 100 degrees below that of the base metal. This makes it very difficult to get a good weld without melting the base material and deforming the part. Also it seems like propane is not hot enough. You need Mapp gas. Joe   [Reply]   [Send Email]