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  #1  
Old 02-10-2010, 02:40 PM
redoxide redoxide is offline
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Default OA welding Ali

been practising but dont seem to be getting far.. some issues were the spread of the weld pool, instead of a nice narrow weld bead I often ended up with a weld bead spreading over an area about 1/4 inch either side of the join.

Im thiking that the weld is spreading over the area treated with flux, so I reduced the width of flux bead..and it seamed to work as the bead didt spread so far, but probably still not as tight as I would have liked.

Ive also tried numerous flux mixes

Qs. is the flux area the caue of the weld pread?

Qs. whats the best ratio mix for the flux

Qs is it suitable to mix the flux with tap water ( or would evian be better )

All advice appreciated..
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  #2  
Old 03-07-2010, 01:02 AM
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LooseDuece LooseDuece is offline
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Default O/A welding

Hi Red,

I don't have all the answers, I'm getting similar results but not the ones I am aiming for. In your case perhaps the flame is not hot enough so that you can move rapidly so that you don't heat the surrounding too much or maybe your tip is not big enough.
You might list all the elements your using so that you can get more help with your questions.

I'm using:

*Comet torch
*# 6 tip
*slight carburizing flame
*cigweld ali "welding" flux mixed with distilled water until a thick paste, make sure your not using brazing flux.
* clean the weld area prior with stainless steel wire brush
*I spread the flux all up the rod and area to be welded (narrow)

ali weld .jpg

I can weld the ali pieces but my bead varies alot as in too wide or not uniform / rippled.
Also at times the surface layer of the ali can some times "creep up" almost like it seperates from the bottom layer and bubble ? I would like to know what causes this if any one can help.
In saying that after I file/dress/sand/polish the welds I can achieve the desired outcome of a seamless mirror finish. So is weld appearance really important then ?
Is it really possible to get our ali welds looking like the attached pic?
I'll post some of my own welding pic's here soon.

Regards,
Don
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  #3  
Old 03-07-2010, 08:30 PM
The Old Tinbasher The Old Tinbasher is offline
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Lightbulb Oxy/Acety Question

A few Pointers.

Use the smallest tip that's practical. With a Victor torch I use a "0" or "00"

Use gauge pressure set to 5 Lbs. each.

Keep your torch angle to 20 Deg. to the work.

Get the metal molten and then add the rod. (1/16" rod)

Practice, Practice, Practice.

The Old Tinbasher
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Old 03-08-2010, 07:59 AM
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LooseDuece LooseDuece is offline
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF1Srs_e1Aw

Kent White has it down pat... amazing flame welding alluminum
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  #5  
Old 03-08-2010, 09:20 AM
David Gardiner David Gardiner is offline
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Hello Redoxide, I should know your name but it escapes me (sorry) and it is not in your profile.

The weld show in the previous post is mine- of course it is possible to get a weld like that it wasn't done in photoshop!. Actually the weld shows a little contamination from the marks left by the shrinker but nothing to worry about.

(Posted it again)

It just takes practice and the correct technique. Sorry but I dont agree with the old tinbasher about the tip size etc.

I Use a number 5 tip for welding 16g ally. flux the edge of the panel with a paste made from ally welding flux and water, I use water that has been boiled but some say distilled water is best. I use about 3 pounds of pressure, up to five is OK. set the flame so that is is soft (no hissing) you need a carburizing flame.

You have to move fast, it take a little practice but its not brain surgery!.

In my youtube footage you can see a little of the process and you can see inside the flame to see what is going on.
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  #6  
Old 03-08-2010, 11:11 AM
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HEATNBEAT HEATNBEAT is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by David Gardiner View Post
Hello Redoxide, I should know your name but it escapes me (sorry) and it is not in your profile.

The weld show in the previous post is mine- of course it is possible to get a weld like that it wasn't done in photoshop!. Actually the weld shows a little contamination from the marks left by the shrinker but nothing to worry about.

(Posted it again)

It just takes practice and the correct technique. Sorry but I dont agree with the old tinbasher about the tip size etc.

I Use a number 5 tip for welding 16g ally. flux the edge of the panel with a paste made from ally welding flux and water, I use water that has been boiled but some say distilled water is best. I use about 3 pounds of pressure, up to five is OK. set the flame so that is is soft (no hissing) you need a carburizing flame.

You have to move fast, it take a little practice but its not brain surgery!.

In my youtube footage you can see a little of the process and you can see inside the flame to see what is going on.
David, the tip sizes are numbered different here in the states I would agree on the 0,or 00 tip infact I actually use a 000 tip on almost all of my gas welding
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  #7  
Old 03-08-2010, 01:41 PM
David Gardiner David Gardiner is offline
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Hi Rick, a number five is quite large, the standard tips start from 1 then for some reason 2 3 5 7 13 I think that's right Getting forgetful in my old age. Anyway a number five is quite large, I use a number 1 for welding 19g steel or at most a 2 (if I want to go real fast) A number 2 or 3 would be the size for welding 16g steel, I will try to find some comparison for the sizes.

The point is a lot of people weld with too small a tip and this makes the process a slow one and causes all manor of problems, a larger tip burns the oxygen from around the weld and you get a weld that flows better, you have to work fast though.
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Old 03-08-2010, 10:44 PM
steve.murphy steve.murphy is offline
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David,
What is the diameter of the orfice of the tip you recomend?
Thanks,
Steve
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  #9  
Old 03-09-2010, 02:13 AM
David Gardiner David Gardiner is offline
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Hi Steve, I don't know the answer to that question, I have just always used the nozzles available to me. I found this on the Safire site which may help. I remember now I missed out the NO.10 in my list. The nozzle (tip) number refers to the flow rate.


WELDING NOZZLES
Swaged and Lightweight Welding Nozzles
Swaged and lightweight nozzles

are manufactured from high
grade swaged tellurium copper.
The unique mandrel swaging
provides smooth accurate gas
passages which, in turn, control
the precise flame shape.
Size *Plate Thickness


ft
3/h l/h mm in(swg) Part No
1 26 0.9 (20) 0700122207

2 56 1.2 (18) 0700122208
3 88 2.0 (14) 0700122209
5 142 2.6 (12) 0700122210
7 198 3.2


1/8 (10) 0700122211
10 285 4.0

5/32 (8) 0700122212
13 360 5.0

3/16 (6) 0700122213
18 540 6.5

1/4 (3) 0700122214
25 740 8.2

5/16 (0) 0700122215
35 1000 10

3/8 (4/0) 0700122216
Equipment to be used with Saffire 5.
Saffire Lightweight Swaged Nozzles
Size *Plate Thickness
ft


3/h l/h mm in(swg) Part No
1 26 0.9 (20) 0700140200

2 56 1.2 (18) 0700140201
3 88 2.0 (14) 0700140202
5 142 2.6 (12) 0700140203
7 198 3.2


1/8 (10) 0700140204
10 285 4.0

5/32 (8) 0700140205
13 360 5.0

3/16 (6) 0700140206
18 540 6.5

1/4 (3) 0700140207
25 740 8.2
5/16 (0) 0700140208


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Last edited by David Gardiner; 03-09-2010 at 02:17 AM.
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  #10  
Old 03-09-2010, 04:14 AM
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german8rcoupe german8rcoupe is offline
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I was surprised and pleased to see in that Kent White vid that he starts by blowing holes at one end! That's what I do!

Practise,practise....
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