High school student in my welding class last semester and this semester brought in his jet bike project. Need to get him into building custom fighters.
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If I needed to repair a side cover, I would clean it the best I can, then go for it.
I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner, or even a parts washer. I could spend a lot of time with acetone and a brush, but it's not going to clean out the decades of grime from the screw holes.
Decided to get a workout and cut some (easy to clean) coupons by hand, since I'm just practicing/learning.
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Well, it's definitely different. Started at 125 amps, then 100, ended up at 65 which might be a bit low. Instructor gave me some unknown number filler rod which was shit. I used 4043, but the beads look porous. Was trying to get some 4047, but it's pretty hard to find. Might have to give Roger a call and see what he uses.
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For sure, it's the most difficult type of welding I've tried. The large craters are where I tried the shit rod. Still have more cast aluminum to work on. Thanks, Larry! Also want to try welding cast aluminum to billet.
I don't have an ultrasonic cleaner, or even a parts washer. I could spend a lot of time with acetone and a brush, but it's not going to clean out the decades of grime from the screw holes.
Decided to get a workout and cut some (easy to clean) coupons by hand, since I'm just practicing/learning.
Well, it's definitely different. Started at 125 amps, then 100, ended up at 65 which might be a bit low. Instructor gave me some unknown number filler rod which was shit. I used 4043, but the beads look porous. Was trying to get some 4047, but it's pretty hard to find. Might have to give Roger a call and see what he uses.
For sure, it's the most difficult type of welding I've tried. The large craters are where I tried the shit rod. Still have more cast aluminum to work on. Thanks, Larry! Also want to try welding cast aluminum to billet.
Nice work Smoker!Made a box tonight. Cut the coupons and welded them together. Not even in the syllabus. Instructor wants everyone to move on at the same time. Says we're not going to weld with filler rod until Monday.
Burned a small hole in my box. Instructor told me to use a little filler rod. "Don't tell anyone."
He said we we're going to test them for water-tightness. Guess he forgot. Maybe tomorrow.
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Both of this weeks challenges are practice for the metal sculpture.
Using this photo from Sebspeed for cast welding motivation. Pretty sure he's done a bunch of clutch windows. Probably rude to ask him for tips, since it's his livelyhood.
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Been reading about peening and making cleaning passes. Definitely will be ordering 4047 filler rod to try.
Using this photo from Sebspeed for cast welding motivation. Pretty sure he's done a bunch of clutch windows. Probably rude to ask him for tips, since it's his livelyhood.
Been reading about peening and making cleaning passes. Definitely will be ordering 4047 filler rod to try.
Don't need to peen cast aluminum. Lots of welding lore surrounding castings that stem from cast iron. Cast iron isn't tricky to weld because it's cast, it's tricky to weld because it's iron.Both of this weeks challenges are practice for the metal sculpture.
Using this photo from Sebspeed for cast welding motivation. Pretty sure he's done a bunch of clutch windows. Probably rude to ask him for tips, since it's his livelyhood.
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Been reading about peening and making cleaning passes. Definitely will be ordering 4047 filler rod to try.
Aluminum is soft after you weld it. Even trying to file it afterwards can be difficult. It'll be gummy and tear vs cutting clean. If you peen aluminum afterwards it'll look like...well, like you bashed it repeatedly with a hammer.
Look at any welded cast aluminum bike frame. Nice smooth beads, no peening.
Aluminum holds heat like a motherfucker. It won't try to crack on you due to rapid cooling will, unlike iron that can.
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Really appreciate the support from you guys. Sure hope I can keep rolling for a while. Haven't been posting as much as I want to, either.
Forgot to post my first attempt at welding titanium. Used 2mm grade 2 titanium, 1/16" grade 1 filler rod, 3/32 2% Lanth tungsten, 20 CFH argon, 1/2" cup, 100 amps.
Didn't get much penetration, but that's normal for me. Have to say that titanium is the most enjoyable metal to weld. Puddle and filler rod flow super smooth.
Can't get good pics with my phone. The coupon finish is flat/unpolished, so after welding the HAZ colors are flat. But, the welds are as shiny as can be. They shimmer, glisten, and sparkle under the light- with no cleaning, whatsoever.
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Pretty sure a good titanium weld should look like the third one from the top. Colorless/silver in appearance. Will probably take a while to get it figured out.
Forgot to post my first attempt at welding titanium. Used 2mm grade 2 titanium, 1/16" grade 1 filler rod, 3/32 2% Lanth tungsten, 20 CFH argon, 1/2" cup, 100 amps.
Didn't get much penetration, but that's normal for me. Have to say that titanium is the most enjoyable metal to weld. Puddle and filler rod flow super smooth.
Can't get good pics with my phone. The coupon finish is flat/unpolished, so after welding the HAZ colors are flat. But, the welds are as shiny as can be. They shimmer, glisten, and sparkle under the light- with no cleaning, whatsoever.
Pretty sure a good titanium weld should look like the third one from the top. Colorless/silver in appearance. Will probably take a while to get it figured out.
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Tried brazing the 1/16" filler rods. One was okay. One got brittle, and broke after welding. Need more practice. Deleted the finished pics by accident, then lost the pieces, as well.
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Now have ideas for 2 sculptures. Not sure if either one will work out. Just experimenting with the TIG torch. First is an old school hot air balloon, then an old school air ship.
Ordered some brass tire valve parts to cut up and fabricate a burner. Should be here in a week. The air ship propeller is coming on a slow boat from China. Probably a month before it arrives.
Took a ridiculous amount of time to get the upper harness ring round and flat. Must have bent it a hundred times with my bare hands. Very happy the brazing went well. Looks like there's a small kink, but that's where the numbers are stamped.
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Cut down the height of the basket today. Will try to add some rails around the top tomorrow.
Now have ideas for 2 sculptures. Not sure if either one will work out. Just experimenting with the TIG torch. First is an old school hot air balloon, then an old school air ship.
Ordered some brass tire valve parts to cut up and fabricate a burner. Should be here in a week. The air ship propeller is coming on a slow boat from China. Probably a month before it arrives.
Took a ridiculous amount of time to get the upper harness ring round and flat. Must have bent it a hundred times with my bare hands. Very happy the brazing went well. Looks like there's a small kink, but that's where the numbers are stamped.
Cut down the height of the basket today. Will try to add some rails around the top tomorrow.
161 - 180 of 232 Posts
