welding aluminium?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 890
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From: small town, north dakota
welding aluminium?
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, but I wasnt sure. I was riding four wheeler and stripped out the axle hub. (holds tire to axle). i drilled out the hub and axle and put a bolt thru it. it seems to work, but its not tight. i was thinking of welding it, but wanted some advice on how to do so. the hub i believe is steel, but may be aluminium...also the axle is aluminium. i have access to a wire and stick welder. any advise would be great. thanx. 
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 330
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From: Missouri
Well if it was me I would tig it or maybe mig it. Alumnum is kind of intresting to weld on. you can not tell how hot it is by the color so you have to go by feel. If you are not careful the whole thing will melt on you. Make shure themetal is very clean. use only a stainless steel brush to clean the metal because if you don't the alumnum will not weld very well. just my $.02
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 890
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From: small town, north dakota
Originally Posted by Mike W
Can you get a picture of this? I have never seen one and can't conjure up the image in my mind.
I can ride the quad the way it is...but its probly not the safest. Just in case anyone wonders...its a 1985 Suzuki Quadrunner LT 185.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 890
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From: small town, north dakota
Nope...didnt try a magnet. My buddy had a LT125 do the same thing, and he said the axle was aluminium...so I took his word for it.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Central Kentucky
Welding aluminum
Rice H8R, If your material does turn out to be aluminum, I strongly suggest you take it to a professional. Aluminum is probably the hardest material to weld unless you have a lot of experience.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Running Springs CA
The only aluminum alloys that are weldable are not the high-strength ones (2000 and 7000 series). It is almost impossible to imagine an axle made of a weldable aluminum alloy, like 6061.
Jim
Jim
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Floriduh
Ok people, I am a certified welder. SO that being said, lets get down to it.
#1 you can't weld steel to aluminum.
#2 contrary to what some people on here think, virtually ALL types of aluminum can be welded. The only problem is what process and how to do it. I have welded cast aluminum to plate aluminum. It is VERY hard to do, and takes preheating and special processes to do it.
#3 You can't weld aluminum with a stick welding machine.
Aluminum is a NON-ferrous material Which means it can't be cut with a flame. Any more ???'s on welding just ask me....If I dont know, I'll find the answer.
#1 you can't weld steel to aluminum.
#2 contrary to what some people on here think, virtually ALL types of aluminum can be welded. The only problem is what process and how to do it. I have welded cast aluminum to plate aluminum. It is VERY hard to do, and takes preheating and special processes to do it.
#3 You can't weld aluminum with a stick welding machine.
Aluminum is a NON-ferrous material Which means it can't be cut with a flame. Any more ???'s on welding just ask me....If I dont know, I'll find the answer.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 330
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From: Missouri
Originally Posted by 53wa2fl
#3 You can't weld aluminum with a stick welding machine.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 525
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From: Floriduh
That is true...The welding companies DO make rods for welding aluminum.....However, When I talk about "welding" something, I am looking at a full on WELD. One that goes for longer than 1/2 inch and actually penetrates and will hold up to some abuse. Plus, you still have to preheat the aluminum your going to wled first. In my experience, by the time you get the arc started, you have to stop because the rod's going limp...... How lame is that? You cant get a decent weld that will hold that way.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: small town, north dakota
Alright guys...thanx for all the info. really appreciate it.
Now that being said, i'd like to say that i kinda feel like a dumba$$...it was steel, magnet stuck right to it. gunna have my buddy who is a decent welder weld it up one of these days. i'm going to go beat my head on the wall now if u dont mind......
Now that being said, i'd like to say that i kinda feel like a dumba$$...it was steel, magnet stuck right to it. gunna have my buddy who is a decent welder weld it up one of these days. i'm going to go beat my head on the wall now if u dont mind......