Having problems welding steel to aluminum.

[TC]

I drug out some old Alumisteel rod that I've had under my welding table since the '70's, I can't seem to find anyone who carries it anymore ( may have been discontinued due to an EPA kinda thing). The problem is about half way through the weld the aluminum side starts to get very porous, it's probably gotten contaminated from sitting around so long. Any body know of a source for some new rod or a method of restoring the old stuff? The heating in an oven trick didn't work. TC

 

[xj4rocks]

try the hobart welders chat board. very informative and lots of people that could give info..


oh yeah and by the way why are you trying to weld alum to steel?

 

[gearwhine]

You can weld steeling to aluminum?

 

[TC]

Um, no.

 

[5-90]

Is it a structural join? I'd probably go more for brazing with dissimilar metals, if the application would allow it...

Of course, that requires that you'd actually catch me using Aluminum for something in the first place, when Steel, stainless, brass, or bronze would do...

5-90

 

[4ward]

Whatchya tryin' to build Tim? If you can't find what you need, do some checking into what it would take to TIG it together. I'll have my setup next week. It's bought and paid for, just need to pick it up and put in a 70 amp circuit in the barn.

Sean

 

[Ted Z]

Hey Sean, What TIG did you get? I actually enjoy welding with mine.... it's almost theraputic...lol