Now you can weld it your self

[lakerunner]

I bought mine to fix a crack in the log and they wouldn't work for that. The contraction/expansion on the area made it impossible. I wound up having it professionally welded. Now I made a hand grab for the front using 1" tube and it worked great for that.

[HandymanHerb]

I bought mine to fix a crack in the log and they wouldn't work for that. The contraction/expansion on the area made it impossible. I wound up having it professionally welded. Now I made a hand grab for the front using 1" tube and it worked great for that.

You were trying to weld a big heat sink, you need the Oxi for more quick heat on all that aluminum

[lakerunner]

Herb have you used your product yet? When I make my lift frame I may try it.

[HandymanHerb]

Got it but need to get a regulator for my torch set, mapp gas is not hot enough to even close holes on rails, it just balled up meaning it wasn't hot enough

[lakerunner]

I have access to good torch set. post some pic's when yo do it please

[HandymanHerb]

You got it, right now I'm still getting high on lacquer thinner doing the last primer coats on the fence panals

[Todd4]

I've never used these (but they look usefull). But just for grins, I'll offer this clarification; by definition ('cause I make a living as a nerdy metallurgist):

Brazing melts the filler metal and NOT the base metal.

Welding melts the filler metal AND the base metal.

This process is brazing - lower heat required and usually not as strong as welding, which requires higher heat. Welding aluminum is difficult because the metal oxidizes so quickly at high temps (so shielding gas or flux is mandatory). Not enough heat and you get cold welds. Ideal heat and you get good welds. Too much heat and you get a nice big blow hole. As with any joining process - it takes practice, practice, practice to become proficient at it. Personally, I like TIG, but I don't have access to a welding machine anymore. So, I could have used this last summer, if it works well and is strong.

Hint: The liquid braze will migrate towards the heat. SO, if you have a excess braze in an area, ONLY heating that area will not do anything (well, not much good). Melt the area that contains excess braze you want to move, and then slowly move the torch to where you want the braze to flow to - it'll follow the torch. Just like soldering copper pipes.

Good luck and have fun! Post pics of your repairs.

Todd

[tuned]

I will condense my findings shortly in this thread. Just about to give this stuff the full monty test run on some hand brazed rail sections. Thanks, Todd4 for some nice info. I will try Mapp/Oxy on this. More details and pics in the rebuild thread which can be found here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=14007&p=128096#p128096 at the bottom of page 5.