cast aluminum tig question

[rb455ho]

Hello all, I have a large c-clamp with acme threads. The body is cast Al, and has cracked in half. I have only welded 6061-t6 with my syn 350, with no problem. The material thickness is about 3/4". I need some instruction on prep procedure, filler, and anything else that might help. As always thank you in advance for your expertise.

[TJS]

Hello all, I have a large c-clamp with acme threads. The body is cast Al, and has cracked in half. I have only welded 6061-t6 with my syn 350, with no problem. The material thickness is about 3/4". I need some instruction on prep procedure, filler, and anything else that might help. As always thank you in advance for your expertise.

I had to weld a cast alum. outdoor picnic table leg that broke. I used 4043 and prepped the best I could with a carbide bit. Actually it flows pretty well you will be surprised. I did it with my 180SD.
T.J.

[rb455ho]

TJS, thanks I will clean the @#$% out of it and give it a whirl.

[dyn88]

cast aluminum has a tendency to absorb contaminants so as you already said make sure you clean the s#$t out of it. If its thicker than 3/4 inch a little preheat with a plumers torch will prove helpfull. you may also want to try one of HAWKS proven meathods of tinning the base, this means welding the surfaces to get any contaminates up to the surface so you can grind them out. Sometimes this takes several tries to get the base clean enough.

[HAWK]

dyn88,

You are the man. Tinning takes patience, but sometimes it is the only way to get a weldable surface. I have done several large (15 square feet+) aluminum weldments that were so nasty tinning was the only method that proved effective.

By the way everything is here for the 400 + amp test trial. I sent the tungsten out to KB Fabrications for a precision grinding job so as to eliminate any bad variables. Will be sending info before too long.

[dyn88]

cool deal, thanks. Sorry about the threadjacking rb.

[rb455ho]

Dyn, no problem. Feel free to innerject anytime. I appreciate the information and guidance. I did clean the [email protected]#$ out of it and it is operation as of yesterday afternoon, hasn't broke yet.

[dyn88]

good to hear