What tig rod

[monte55]

I removed my neighbors old receiver dish which must have been at least 8-9 ft in diameter. With the exception of the pole mount, and a steel circular backmount..........the dish frame is made of extruded aluminum 1.5x.250 and the screen is expanded aluminum. I cut it up and will keep the material for projects. I have no clue what grade of alum it is. Is there a special rod to tig this or does anyone have recomendations. Nick

[SundownIII]

Monte,

Have no clue as to what grade of aluminum was used to fabricate the dish.

I'd try 4043 filler first to see how it's going to react. Key here is going to be how well you're able to clean up the base metal. I suspect, having been out in the weather for some time, that there is going to be a fair amount of oxidation to deal with.

For the extruded metal, you may want to try a dremel tool with a SS wire brush for getting into those hard to reach places.

Just my .02

[monte55]

Monte,

Have no clue as to what grade of aluminum was used to fabricate the dish.

I'd try 4043 filler first to see how it's going to react. Key here is going to be how well you're able to clean up the base metal. I suspect, having been out in the weather for some time, that there is going to be a fair amount of oxidation to deal with.

For the extruded metal, you may want to try a dremel tool with a SS wire brush for getting into those hard to reach places.

Just my .02

SundownIII......thanks for the comeback...............the aluminum has a flat black paint like cast to it like it was painted at first but very thin now and in good condition. It comes off easily with course steel wool and the metal shows no oxidation. Nick

[jwsrep]

More than likely probably 6063 T5 extruded aluminum. 4043 gets my vote.

[HMW]

Same here 4043 I've used on cast before and seems to work OK

[Bert]

Guys! Why 4043, when I hear 5356 is more universal? thanks

[SundownIII]

Bert,

Sorry to take so long to get back, but wanted to do a little research first. My first response, which was to use 4043, and was seconded by others, was just based on experience (read best guess) based on what has worked for me in the past.

Being an engineer, the more I thought about it, I felt the response needed more substantiation. I have listed two sites which I feel will give you a better explanation of why certain filler materials are chosen. These two sites provide a "basic" understanding. If you wish to delve deeper, you may want to check out the AWS site. (Listed since I'm not up on linking)

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/tigalum.asp

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledge/articles/content/aluminumwire.asp

Bottom line. Sounds like there is substantiation as to why 4043 was recommended.

Anyone else got further references as to the selection of filler material?

[HMW]

SundownIII

Very good reference, thanks.
I noticed they mentioned using 5356 for the spool gun and I have not tried it. Used only 4043 on 6061 and some 3003 plate and it seemed to work well. Would 5356 work any better? Might have to get a spool and try it to see. Also only used 4043 with TIG and repaired lots of alum castings with this filler with good results.

[SundownIII]

HMW,

You definitely need to pick up a spool of 5356 and try it in the spoolgun. Works great. I tried 5356 first in the HH187 because, for the life of me, I couldn't get 4043 to feed without creating a "habitat for birds".

I probably use 5356 2 to 1 over 4043 in my 30A on the MM251.

As I'm sure you know, you can re-anodize 5356 whereas 4043 will turn black. Just don't want to use 5356 where ambient heat will exceed 165F. (grills would be a prime example).

Let me know what you think.

[Bert]

Sundown III and HMW:
Sundown, I've got the same setup as you (251 with 30A spoolgun)!!!!!!!!!!
I'll be bugging you for more info for marine stuff, ok???

[Bert]

OOoops, sorry!!
HMW, THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT!!!