Using the spool gun on cast Aluminum

[cityjack]

Evening all,

I am thinking of trying to use my Autoset 211 and hook up the spoolmate 100 to try to fix a broken boss (Lower red arrow)on my motorcycle case. Please see attached pic. Am I wishfully thinking here?

Thanks

Sid

[ja baudin]

Evening all,

I am thinking of trying to use my Autoset 211 and hook up the spoolmate 100 to try to fix a broken boss (Lower red arrow)on my motorcycle case. Please see attached pic. Am I wishfully thinking here?

Thanks

Sid[ATTACH]34928[/ATTACH]

Think you would have a better chance with a tig repair.

[Tryagn5]

well....

Evening all,

I am thinking of trying to use my Autoset 211 and hook up the spoolmate 100 to try to fix a broken boss (Lower red arrow)on my motorcycle case. Please see attached pic. Am I wishfully thinking here?

Thanks

Sid[ATTACH]34928[/ATTACH]

If it were me i would machine out that broken piece, make an aluminum bushing, weld the bushing then drill and tap it. Your biggeet probelm is going to be getting the aluminum clean enough to weld. Likely will need to do a full cleaning, then place it in the oven at 300 degrees for a few hours.
Kevin

[cityjack]

In the oven?

If it were me i would machine out that broken piece, make an aluminum bushing, weld the bushing then drill and tap it. Your biggeet probelm is going to be getting the aluminum clean enough to weld. Likely will need to do a full cleaning, then place it in the oven at 300 degrees for a few hours.
Kevin

Is the purpose of the oven to clean the Aluminum or get it up to temp before welding with the spool gun?

Thanks

Sid

[Cgotto6]

Clean. Cast material is so porous it traps contaminates in its pours and imperfections do you have to burn or bake them out. Some will run the tig torch over the area to be welded at low heat with no filler to just release the contaminated so you can grind them over and repeat until clean.

[walker]

It will probably work. You will be frustrated by it.

[cityjack]

Gonna try it.

Thank guys. I am going to get a small bottle of Argon on Monday after work. I'll remove the two seals today that need replacing anyway. Clean the heck out of it, then bake it. Does it matter if I bake it today or before I weld it? How long at 300 F? I won't mess the casting up will I?

Thanks

Sid

[H80N]

Do you have access to a milling machine to carve off the excess aluminum.. after welding????

[cityjack]

Excess metal

I have made a fixture/jig to locate the proper spot for drilling and tapping. To clean up I have plenty of different burrs for my die grinder plus a nice little air dremel of sorts.
I apologize for the duplicate question about how long in the oven too.

The only Aluminum I have to practice on is 6061-T6 bar stock. No casting material other than the casting in question. I just do not want to do more damage than good. Ugly is ok since its covered by a alternator cover. The repair just need to be solid and work.

300F for a coupe hours it is then. When all the impurities come to the surface around the welding area, what do I use to clean them with? Solvent, the stainless brush or a combination of both. Should I bake it twice do you think?

Thanks

Sid

[H80N]

Was hoping you had a friend with a mill...

certainly doable by hand... but much more time consuming and difficult...

[aametalmaster]

I have fixed those types of cases. You will learn lots from your first one. Clean clean and more clean. Unless 100% of the oil is gone you will have a tough time. Good luck..Bob

[cityjack]

Caron?

If it were me i would machine out that broken piece, make an aluminum bushing, weld the bushing then drill and tap it. Your biggeet probelm is going to be getting the aluminum clean enough to weld. Likely will need to do a full cleaning, then place it in the oven at 300 degrees for a few hours.
Kevin

Sir, you wouldn't be Kevin Caron from youtube would you?

Just curious.

[cityjack]

Gauges?

Evening,

When I pick up my argon tomorrow, can I just swap my gauges from my mixed tank to my straight argon tank? Do I need to do anything in particular before I get going with the spool gun as far as purging gas or anything if I can swap the gauges?

Thanks

Sid

[H80N]

Evening,

When I pick up my argon tomorrow, can I just swap my gauges from my mixed tank to my straight argon tank? Do I need to do anything in particular before I get going with the spool gun as far as purging gas or anything if I can swap the gauges?

Thanks

Sid

Yes ABSOLUTELY purge your lines... you want ALL of the CO2 mix out of the lines... about a minute should do it...

Also... please do yourself a favor and practice for a couple of hours on some aluminum scrap first ... make sure you can run a decent bead on something that does not count... instead of trying to learn on something important...
Aluminum spoolgun is not as easy as it looks... the practice will be time well spent...

[cityjack]

Practice

Yes ABSOLUTELY purge your lines... you want ALL of the CO2 mix out of the lines... about a minute should do it...

Also... please do yourself a favor and practice for a couple of hours on some aluminum scrap first ... make sure you can run a decent bead on something that does not count... instead of trying to learn on something important...
Aluminum spoolgun is not as easy as it looks... the practice will be time well spent...

All I have access to is 6061-T6 bar stock. No cast. Will the settings for the barstock be comparable? Also type of .030 wire you think would act best for this cast work? The 4043 or 5356?

Thanks

Sid