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08-08-2007, 02:39 AM
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#1 | |
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Registered User
1985 CJ7
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Burning Aluminum?
I have found a local shop that builds trailers outta aluminum, and they said I could scrounge their scrap heap. I am thinking of doing a tire carrier and tube fenders out of aluminum however... I don't have and can't afford a TIG set up just for a hobby. I saw a "kit" that is supposed to let you weld aluminum with a MIG machine. I was skeptical about it. Anyone seen this or used one? Thanks.
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08-08-2007, 06:43 AM
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#2 | |
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Registered User
2005 LJ Wrangler
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Quote:
What about taking some TIG classes and see if you can do your own projects to be graded on. Maybe then you will run into a used TIG set up for cheaper. What thickness tube would you use for the fenders? I would think you would want to go thicker wall than steel.
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FOR SALE: Front/rear bumpers, Genright HighLine tube Fenders, Wood Doors, Speedo Gear for 3.73s w/35"s, |
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08-08-2007, 07:19 AM
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#3 |
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www.lp.org
 
1999 XJ Cherokee
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MIG on aluminum looks like butt unless you have one of the Lincoln double pulsed MIG machines.
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"'Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue sky? " Roger Waters |
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08-08-2007, 11:13 AM
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#4 |
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Registered User
1985 CJ7
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MIGs can be converted to aluminum (ususally just change the wire and gas (sometimes you need to replace the wire tube to prevent comtamination)).
I used to work at a sign company and we welded aluminum all day every day with Millers. Enjoy!
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...a well prepped, well driven, vehicle should do well in any terrain, including the highway. Carburetors became obsolete during the last century... do what ever it takes to get fuel injection...It makes bigger grins off road. |
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08-08-2007, 06:22 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
1998 TJ Wrangler
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Lincoln now has a spool gun for their new 140 and 180 machines. I just went and priced them today and found one local for $157. Pretty good deal and it'sjust an easy add on. I guess Miller is also supposed to have one coming out too.
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[SIZE="1"][B]98 TJ-bought-not built [url]www.PNWJeep.com[/url] كافر - Infidel[/B][/SIZE] |
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08-14-2007, 01:37 AM
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#6 |
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Vendor
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I still weld Aluminum better than steel......
Yes, its an easy switch to aluminum, use straight Argon and you have to have a spool gun or a puller. I used to use a Cobramatic gun and feeder (dating myself) when they first came out. You need to move faster but the problems of Aluminum all but rule it out as a material for anything taking stress. Aluminum has a very definate fatigue life when not heat treated and stress relieved. You see it riveted together on airplanes, not welded!
Welding aluminum is harder for most people but TIG welding aluminum is also pretty easy for most old school welders that came up with a gas torch. Brazing steel is another almost lost technique among welders that is very strong (I first built Fillet Brazed Bicycles 25 years ago), I'm sure you have seen cast iron repaired by brazing. But the inexpensive MIG gun pretty much did away with the gas torch and stick welders........and the only people brazing anything nowadays are working in radiator shops.
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Dan Fredrickson www.ruffstuffspecialties.com Much Better Than Good Enough Sales 916.509.2242/Sales & Tech 916.600.1945 |
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08-14-2007, 01:43 AM
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#7 | |
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Registered User
2003 TJ Wrangler
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Quote:
Ehhh... no it doesn't. Lincoln isn't the only manufacturer that makes a nice aluminum machine lol Miller > Lincoln on another note... I've welded aluminum with oxy-fuel but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner lol
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God is good to the Irish because nobody else is. [COLOR="White"]White Jeep Club Member # 1337[/COLOR] |
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08-19-2007, 05:39 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
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if you dont want to buy a welder check out dura-weld. 20lbs of rod for 40 bucks aint bad.
it's an aluminum alloy soldering rod used with a propane or MAP gas torch. it's pretty sturdy. we welded a soda can back together after cutting and ripping it with a knife. we then proceeded to crush the can with hammers. the can was totalled except where the 'solder' put the can back together. it's pretty tuff stuff...harder than the aluminum you're welding together.
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1994 jeep cherokee, xj, 3" rough country springs / bilstein 5100's, 31" tires with trimmed fenders, aussie locked front diff, herculined ext, hella FF75 driving lights on factory fog location [COLOR="Lime"]soon to be[/COLOR] 4.11 gear and and a ford 8.8 LSD rear and herc'd interior |
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08-19-2007, 06:45 PM
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#9 | |
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www.lp.org
1999 XJ Cherokee
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Quote:
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"'Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue sky? " Roger Waters |
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08-19-2007, 07:29 PM
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#10 | |
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Registered User
1992 YJ Wrangler
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Elk City / Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Posts: 650
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Quote:
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DARK STONE 2005 6.0l v-8 PowerStroke F-350 BLACK 1992 YJ 383Stroker, TH350, looking for a np205, d44 front, 12bolt rear, SOA on 4" springs, 35" Baja Claws, m8000, Electric fan, sliders, bumpers, crossmembers, all made by myself. Black Jeep Club Member #167 |
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08-19-2007, 07:35 PM
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#11 | |
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www.lp.org
1999 XJ Cherokee
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Quote:
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"'Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue sky? " Roger Waters |
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08-20-2007, 12:44 PM
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#12 |
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Registered User
1998 TJ Wrangler
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The new Lincoln welders (140 and 180) are set up for an easy install for aluminum. Once you have a welder you simply buy the spool gun kit for about $170 and get the correct gas and you are good. It is on my list of things to buy though I'm not sure when.
__________________
[SIZE="1"][B]98 TJ-bought-not built [url]www.PNWJeep.com[/url] كافر - Infidel[/B][/SIZE] |
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08-20-2007, 02:36 PM
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#13 |
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Registered User
1979 CJ7
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spool guns, IMHO, are highly overrated. way too much hassle. aluminum was just not meant to be pushed through a nozzle. go with tig, pure tungsten, and pure argon.
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79 CJ7, 304, TF727, D300, FULL WIDTH D44's, 4.56:1, SPOOL LOCKERS, SOA, OUTBOARDED, SHACKLES REVERSED, HOMEMADE D-SHAFTS, 38.5" BOGGERS |
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08-21-2007, 01:46 AM
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#14 | ||
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Registered User
2003 TJ Wrangler
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Quote:
 Look up a product called Durafix you don't need flux or gas for it... it does the job in a pinch Quote:
I never did like the pure tungstens for alum tig... always found zirconium to work better, but thats just me.
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God is good to the Irish because nobody else is. [COLOR="White"]White Jeep Club Member # 1337[/COLOR] |
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08-24-2007, 06:58 PM
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#15 | |
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Registered User
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Quote:
__________________
1994 jeep cherokee, xj, 3" rough country springs / bilstein 5100's, 31" tires with trimmed fenders, aussie locked front diff, herculined ext, hella FF75 driving lights on factory fog location [COLOR="Lime"]soon to be[/COLOR] 4.11 gear and and a ford 8.8 LSD rear and herc'd interior |
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