Tech request - gas welding aluminum?

[Tackett]

OK, I want to weld aluminum, and there's no way I have the $$, space or power for TIG. I'm thinking about gas, and what the hell - it's traditional.

I'm considering the #2 kit from TinManTech (http://www.tinmantech.com/html/aluminum_gas_welding_system.html)

I currently have a nice Victor oxy/acet setup, and can weld sheetmetal with pretty good success.

Anybody out there use a similar setup? Any tips? Advice? Stories?

Thanks,
Tackett

[oldchevyseller]

why not mig aluminum? you just need a new teflon liner ,spool of aluminum, and pure argon tank, if you already have a wire feed evn a small home unit if fine,do a search on that stuff ,

[Tackett]

[ QUOTE ]
why not mig aluminum? you just need a new teflon liner ,spool of aluminum, and pure argon tank, if you already have a wire feed evn a small home unit if fine,do a search on that stuff ,

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe I looked at the wrong guy's spool gun work, but I think it looks bad.

I got back into gas welding 6 months ago, after taking 5 years off (got a Mig) and although it's slower, I just love the way it looks. I figure that if gas welding aluminum looks that good, I'll be happy.

Thanks for the input.

Tackett

[oldchevyseller]

yeah i guess i have welded nmany things with my mig, looks great ,i guess it is what you get used to, metal shaper probally has a good link for gassing aluminum,

[Paul]

I'd like to hear the experienced word on this subject too.

it's a perfect follow up for Ryan's post from the other day

Paul

[banzaitoyota]

I have the kit from Tinaman, but I am still in the learning phase

[Steel Phoenix]

I have that torch, and I swear by it for steel. I'm going to be experimenting with silversmithing using it soon too.

A friend of mine is extremely talented in aluminum welding (and shaping), and HE swears by that torch for aluminum.

[metalshapes]

Does anybody know what the deal was with the Old timers that went blind from gas welding Aluminum??
Were those Cobalt goggles not protection enough, was it something else, or simply not true?

[Tackett]

[ QUOTE ]
Does anybody know what the deal was with the Old timers that went blind from gas welding Aluminum??
Were those Cobalt goggles not protection enough, was it something else, or simply not true?


[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.tinmantech.com/html/tm2000.html

There's more info here, on the TinManTech website. (http://www.tinmantech.com/html/tm2000.html)

He's selling his own design, so his info may be suspect.

Tackett
-can't believe that nobody on the HAMB has gas welded aluminum...