Bonding aluminium????

[NozSpark]

I've got a job (unpaid) to do for my daughters sailing club.

A spreader has been ripped from a mast,, it's riveted to the mast and it's torn the holes to bits.

My plan is to make a plate repair to the mast, both bonded and riveted, then I'll rivet the spreader back onto the new plate (the spreader has not been damaged!)

Here's a link to a picture of a spreader

Google Images

Now, both the mast and plate will be aluminium and I will need to ensre that I do not weaken the mast further so like I say I need to also bond the plate to the mast.

Being aluminium doesn't it need an acid etch????

Does anyone have any experience of bonding aluminium?

What adhesive is best, I guess some kind of epoxy resin?

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 20:49 ---------- Previous post was made at 20:48 ----------

Oh,, I will be reimbursed any costs, but cost will be an issue

 

[steptoe]

cant you just weld it?

the acid etch if I am correct is simply to remove the oxidisation,

 

[NozSpark]

Can't weld it mate,,, can't risk any distortion

 

[steptoe]

a decent welder on a TIG wont DISTORT it buddy,

believe me,

I get aluminium welded all the time that is 1/10th of a mill or less to deviate,

never had a problem yet.

as for bonding it,

I could find out for you, how quick do you need to know?

 

[PC Electrics]

I'd have it welded.

 

[NozSpark]

I've probably got a week or two,,

they have two boats but only use one at the moment

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:23 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:21 ----------

I'll put welding it to them, see what they say.

 

[Sidewinder]

Defo weld Noz!

I am on the hunt for a TIG set at the right price, mind I don't know now!!!

 

[steptoe]

what sort of gun are you looking for SW?

you do know that most MIG can run TIG too if set up correctly, but the guns are not so good for it.

 

[Andy™]

for once i think we all agree on the same thing... weld it

 

[Sidewinder]

No mate my MIG is d.c. only, and not geared up for it, it is over 20 yr old but still going strong, I need an a.c./d.c. set really, a.c. for the Ali stuff & d.c. for the steel/stainless really.

 

[steptoe]

forum 1st is it, ?

wait til canoe gets here,

he's twisted.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:41 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:40 ----------

do you want a stick gun or a constant feed gun?

do you use stick for the stainless I assume, or is it mostly light stuff you do?

 

[batty]

I did welding at college but failed miserably gave up after the second year then did bricklaying now i did pass that.

 

[Sidewinder]

I have an old Oxford oil cooled arc set, so it's a traditional TIG set I want to run up to about 1/4" in stainless really.

Never come across a constant feed gun on a TIG set?

I have not tried Al wire in my MIG, not sure if it would cope, would need Argon anyway as I normally use CO2 for the mig as it's only mild steel stuff normally & CO2 gives depper penetration than argon or argon mixes and it's cheaper!

I can weld down to about 1.6mm with the stick but it's not pretty enough for me, it's mainly the Al repair facility I want.

 

[steptoe]

its just I know a few guys via the bikes that often have 'old' stuff they will shift so they can have newer stuff available,

one guy I know is actually told by one customer what kit he must use, and he gets it at cost price,(world superbike team), but obviously he then has stuff to move on,

so maybe 2 or 3 rungs down this ladder I could get you affordable stuff if you need.?

no rush mind, it happens on a rolling basis,

and yes, constant feed guns for ali are capr.!

too light.

 

[Andy™]

seems like we have plenty people here who can weld?

 

[batty]

everbody but me.

 

[steptoe]

so?

is this the most agreed thread on the forum or what?

wheres Deke? he's a carnatpious old git, bet he says tape it up or something.!

 

[Andy™]

so?is this the most agreed thread on the forum or what?

wheres Deke? he's a carnatpious old git, bet he says tape it up or something.!

well, i was going to suggest duct tape.... maybe even silver to blend in with the ali a bit more

 

[steptoe]

[quote name='Andy

 

[batty]

If i remember correctly welding ally is one of the more differcult welds. :yellow card