Welding and material basic help

[jpmxrider489]

So this all started a year ago when I cracked rims. So I asked my uncle and he said he cant weld aluminum. I know theres different welders like mig/tig/flux. But now im higher up in the dsm game and would like stuff welded. Like fittings on my valve cover and and thermorstat and what not. The main thing is an fittings. So I guess my quesitons are what would happen if someone welds my aluminum fittings on my rad with his steel welder? Im not sure what its called. Could he weld a steel fitting on aluminum? If someone can give me the basics on welding and what not. I know theres different types of metal like 6061 or stuff like that. So could can someone help with the basics? Say if I baught a flux welder from harbor frieght, would that weld what I needed welded? I would prefer help from someone who has done welding. If anyone has links or anything, that would be great.

 

[JwpRider]

Try these...it will give you the basics....also the last site has articles and videos..

But someone else will have to 'recommend' what would be a good 'general use' welder to have around your garage.

http://www.northerntool.com/catalog/buyersguides/welding/

http://www.welderworld.com/what-is-welding/welding-basics-for-beginners

http://www.typesofwelding.net/index.html

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/education-center/training-materials/Pages/training-materials.aspx


http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/teaching-novice-welders-new-tips-welding-instruction-training/

 

[CrawlinZX14]

Your not welding AL to steel. Go get steel weld on bungs if thats what you want. You want like materials to ensure a proper bond. Next, your not using a flux welder to do that either. It will not turn out well. A tig would be best as you can start a puddle before using a filler where mig is normally a cold start. TIG is the more universal welder, however its also generally more expensive too. If you are not good with welding already, I would personally take it to a pro, as those are pressured fittings you will have and weakness and pin holes and and will cause major issues. I would get some practice on welding before jumping into something like that personally.

I have personally not found any flux wire for aluminum. I myself have a lincoln flux welder I got for next to nothing but it was a start. I use mine for thinner gauge steel only. It has worked great for making brackets and what not. For anything precision or AL I go to my buddys shop and use his tig, or have him do it as he is much better than I am. Flux core is messy at the least. I may be wrong, but I dont believe you can use flux cored wire on aluminum at all. Nor do I think you will get a good bond with steel fittings to aluminum.

 

[rcarbajal4]

TIG/MIG are the easiest methods, but TIG would be more effective. As stated above, either take it to a pro, or practice first, because aluminum has a much less margin for error. Just take short quick passes, taking your time in between to allow cooling so u dont melt through.

 

[Gasolinebaptism]

There is a general welding tech thread in the custom fab section.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/custom-fabrication/424233-official-welding-thread.html

 

[jpmxrider489]

Those are great links. The reason this came up was because I called a local performance shop and they said 60 bucks for one fitting and I need 4 welded. Im not paying 240 for a few fittings welded. If tig is more of a universal thing. What about mig? Why do many people use mig over tig? Could mig weld AL to AL?

So what would happen if a professional with a mig welder tried welding my AL?