Brazing metal

jams · #1 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 04:06 PM

Hi,

I need to braze two pieces of aluminum together for a car related enhancement. The problem is I can't braze it in place so it has to be done off the car.

Since the two parts are odd ball shapes and angles, I can't clamp them well.

Any ideas as to how I can hold them in place while I braze them.

By the way the pieces of aluminum are 1/8 in thick and vary in width from 1/2 inch to an inch.

Can you use clay? I tried molding crumpled-up tin foil to the two pieces with some success but the pieces still move a bit.

D-CEL · #2 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 04:47 PM

Jams,

When fabricating non-magnetic materials, I make cardboard or Masonite gussets and/or end plates and hot glue them to the detail parts to hold their position while I make my first tack welds. Then after the assembly is tacked and test fit, I use a heat gun to remove the hot glued pieces.

D-cel

jams · #3 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 04:56 PM

The only problem, which I should have mentioned is that I am using a tortch to braze. The small pieces will get hot enough to ment the hot glue.

Maybe a couple dabs of epoxy or hight temp gasket goo???

D-CEL · #4 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 04:59 PM

I hate to pry... what are you building?

Lowell W · #5 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 06:02 PM

Can you clamp a corner of each piece TO something (like a piece of angle iron, for example) and then clamp or weld those two pieces together or to another piece or to your welding bench? Maybe post a picture?

Lowell

trularin · #6 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 06:16 PM

Aluminum doesn't "braze" as I understand it. You will need to weld the pieces.

Controlled heat is important. Not something I would do if I never did it before.

To hold the pieces together, I suggest you jig the pieces or clamp the pieces.

Just my $0.02

mickmate · #7 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 07:39 PM

I have seen some nifty little adjustable clamps you can position and hold with. They have them for short money with Harbor Freight I believe. The brazing he is talking about is more of an aluminum soldering process. Harris Welco does a nice product for this that is quite easy to use.

mickmate · #8 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 07:41 PM

Orrrrr clamp both pieces to something you can bend to get your position with, a thin piece of stock strip or similar?

jams · #9 (**permalink**) 04-06-2005, 08:07 PM

Thanks for your input guys.

I will first look around for some funky clamps. If that doesn't work I guess I will make some kind of jig. Making the jib is the easy part, making sure everything is lined up correctly is the hard part.

By the way, here is what I am making... it is a little hard to explain but her it goes. I am making a plate that will fit on the inside of the windshield frame to serve two purposes. One it will allow me to attach my wind wings and 2 it will act as a connection point for a support on my soft top. I want to use aluminum because I can buff and polish it up to have it blend in with the chrome windshield frame.

Once it is complete I will see if it makes the grade to stay on the car. Sometimes my thoughts don't always pan out or look good enough!

P.S. Yes I am using a type of aluminum solder.