I agree that "loss of temper" is low on the concerns list for amateur Al
welding.
Having a MIG or TIG welder capable of welding Al is a lot different
(speaking from my failures) than having the skill to make structural
grade Al welds. It also takes professional grade and high amperage
equipment given the conductivity of Al. My Miller Econo-TIG (and me)
weren't good enough for 14ga 6061, I sold it. I have complete
confidence in my MIG steel welds.
It sounds like the 33'x40' H frame design is tube to tube structural
welds and that may need a professional. Otherwise, consider Al plates
and galvanized u-bolts like most element to boom clamps, which also has
the advantage of it can be taken apart for repairs, etc. Phillystran
guys are probably required for that large of a frame.
I very much enjoyed watching a welder demonstrate the latest HF pulse
TIG Miller welder as he welded together Coors cans. I think that is
0.004" thick Al. The Olympics of welding for sure.
Grant KZ1W
On 1/31/2015 7:49 AM, EZ Rhino wrote:
This topic is being over-analyzed, as usual. It's not rocket science! We're
talking about an amateur radio project here, not building a space shuttle.
There are towers made of aluminum, with welded cross bracing, so I guess that
means all aluminum towers are structurally flawed? Not a chance.
My mountain bike has carbon fiber tubes and an aluminum rear triangle, bottom
bracket, and headset. The aluminum and carbon are joined with epoxy. It
produces great results, as if all components are one piece and the entire bike
is very stiff. MANY aluminum bikes are also TIG welded; just go into a bike
store and take a look.
Aluminum is welded in thousands of structural products. As long as things are
designed with the right materials and design, loss of temper is the last thing
I would be concerned with.
Chris
KF7P
On Jan 31, 2015, at 6:21 , Jim Thomson wrote:
Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2015 1:47:09 -0500
From: <caraj@cox.net>
To: Jim Thomson <jim.thom@telus.net>, towertalk@contesting.com
Cc: caraj@cox.net, k2sfs73@gmail.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] welding aluminum
Jim:
What's the name of this super duper glue in the US.
Thanks,
John, K2SFS
## Dunno. I should phone them up and ask. I googled it and found
varying info on the subject. If its not too expensive, I should get some,
just to experiment with.
Jim VE7RF
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