Easy Alloy welding -anyone tried this method?

[Rovernaut]

check this video out .
http://www.durafix.co.uk/videos/Dura...structions.wmv

http://www.durafix.co.uk/

[streaky]

I use that stuff all the time...tonnes of very usefull applications although it doesn't have the same penetration as TIG etc.
My main use is to make mock-ups or tack aluminium jobs togther before taking them for proper TIG welding.
It's also superb for filling in stripped threads on ali- castings.You fill the stripped hole with weld...keeping it liquid. Then quickly insert the correct bolt and the weld will set around the thread.Because the weld will not adhere to steel it acts as a 'mold' for the right thread and hey presto you have a perfect threaded hole in the casting.

A few annoying features though.
Because the pool of liquid weld flows too easily you can't use it on vertical fixings/applications....they have to be laid down or the pool of liquid metal will simply drop down.
Because you need to get the surrounding work peice upto temperature it's all too easy to blow a hole through the ali with your heat gun. After a bit of practise I soon learn't the best procedure though.

There is a link to an Australian supplier on the website. Great stuff and definatly worth keeping some around.

The stuff I bought is called AL75...got it at Billing. 45 UK quid a meter. 1 Meters does about 40 feet of bead.

Regards.

S.

[p38arover]

It's demonstrated at every 4WD show! I bought the rods years ago but have never tried them.

Ron

[JohnE]

Thats interesting ron, I don't know of anyone who has ever used theirs.
My welding teacher reckoned they were the biggest con he had ever seen, but having said that, we couldn't get hold of any to take into class, to fully test the welds out.
other than that, he reckoned they sealed alu cans really well,as that was all they ever demonstrated, no one ever saw them doing the harder repairs. in the demo's.


john

[Zute]

I got some years ago, but couldnt quite get it to work. Know I've watched the vid' I might give it another go. Thanks for the link.

[p38arover]

Thats interesting ron, I don't know of anyone who has ever used theirs.
My welding teacher reckoned they were the biggest con he had ever seen, but having said that, we couldn't get hold of any to take into class, to fully test the welds out.
other than that, he reckoned they sealed alu cans really well,as that was all they ever demonstrated, no one ever saw them doing the harder repairs. in the demo's.

Quite possibly right. I've never had the need to test them. However, I do have an old aluminium radiator that has a leak.....

Ron

[Bigbjorn]

There is a guy who peddles this around the swap meets. He does the beer can trick all the time. He also avoids being tested with anything harder. I asked a Welding teacher at Yeronga TAFE college about it and he says it is not welding but a form of hard solder, possibly useful for emergency repairs on non-critical items, but not to be trusted. A friend, a boilermaker/fabricator, who is possibly the best stainless steel welder and second best aluminium welder I have seen in a long association with the metal trades, agrees. Ron, you may have trouble repairing the radiator as it is almost impossible to get the crap out of the insides if it has been neglected.

[chazza]

Have a close look at the back of the so-called "welds". Little or no evidence of penetration and even when the puddle has sagged to the back it hasn't fused with the base metal.

As Brian says it is hard soldering, not welding. No doubt a useful product to have, but definitely dodgy on structural parts.

Let's see this guy butt weld some "aloominum" sheet together and then bend it through 180 degrees

[tombraider]

From the Australian Link:

Do not confuse Durafix Repair Rods with other flux-type welding rods or Mig/Tig Welding Systems. Durafix is an unrivalled Fluxless Aluminium Brazing System - it is UNIQUE.


So there appears to be some truth to the Oz site

[Rovernaut]

, but definitely dodgy on structure

Interesting you should say that, I am sceptical about strength.
But on the site there is a repair of a Drop saw repair.I hate to think what would happen if a running saw snapped whilst you were operating it.
But it could be a handy item in the tool kit along with a blowtorch attachment to your gas cylinder for emergency off road repairs.??