Alumaloy, Durafix, and the like

[jestephens]

I just ordered a handful of rods of Alumaloy to do some testing myself, but I thought surely there is a few of you that have used these products. Maybe you could give me your impressions/experiences.

You know this stuff, it's the Aluminum braze/solder done with a propane torch.

I'm designing some brackets to hang my new carbon fiber mufflers on the Vaquero. If I can fabricate them in my own garage, without a welder, that would be terrific. . . . My mind is racing with all the other projects I could tackle too!

What are your experiences? In the videos on YouTube, these products look pretty strong.
-Jay

[trosco]

The problem with the "flowable light metals" is a less dense composition. They "bind" well but they fatigue quickly under vibration and load. In my experience any way.
You might send a note to VulcanE (Cliff). He's a metals guy and could help you out.

[markclark57]

I used the Alumaloy rods a couple of times in plumbing applications. It worked OK once I got the temps right. Do a good "cross hatch" pattern with the surface prep. and keep the heat on the work, not the rod. It was the only product that I found that would braze Stainless to Brass.

[blowndodge]

This is one of the few fields I know nothing about.. I wish I did!!

[Todd]

My experience has been that they work well for the short term once you can get it to work, but I don't think they are a permanent solution for anything. The working temp range is pretty small from the point that you get it to melt and start destroying anything around it. Used some on a mowing deck and it lasted maybe 3 weeks and cracked. Could have been operator error but I have not tried to use for anything else. Just my 2cents

[cactusjack]

This is one of the MANY fields I know nothing about.. I wish I did!!

No sh*t, Sherlock.

[macmac]

I never heard of this.... I have a few doubts, but I don't know a thing about it.

With real silver solder i use oxy acetalene.

I take this stuff is a silver color once applied?

[markclark57]

Todd, 5+ years after repairing an antique tub drian with the Alumaloy I had the opportunity to see the same customer. The repair still looked and worked well. Can't imagine anything short of replacement could really fix a mower deck.

Mac, looks like mid grade aluminium, but it's harder.

[macmac]

I will have to google this stuff up. Might be handy. I assume the mower deck was an alloy casting, and not a steel punch out part.

If with a propane torch you can fix this sort of thing, the stuff must have some merit.

[blowndodge]

No sh*t, Sherlock.

Don't you have some parts that vibrated off your Barney Davidson to put back on or something ??? :bird:

[cactusjack]

Don't you have some parts that vibrated off your Barney Davidson to put back on or something ??? :bird:

Nope. :bird: yourself.

[markclark57]

I will have to google this stuff up. Might be handy. I assume the mower deck was an alloy casting, and not a steel punch out part.

If with a propane torch you can fix this sort of thing, the stuff must have some merit.

BTW I use MAP or Air Acetylene for plumbing. Propane is OK for a weed burner or a grill. I wouldn't trust it for brazing.

[jestephens]

The problem with the "flowable light metals" is a less dense composition. They "bind" well but they fatigue quickly under vibration and load. In my experience any way.
You might send a note to VulcanE (Cliff). He's a metals guy and could help you out.

Since what I'm fabricating is mounting supports to hang mufflers, maybe I should just use the Alumaloy for prototypes and have the final pieces welded, or machined from billet. These mufflers were far too expensive to take chances.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

[wompus]

You have to look at what you are trying to do with the rods.
Using Aluminum on a motorcycle on most parts is a bad idea.
Also, there are dozens of different aluminum alloys out there and depending on which one you use has a lot to do with the strength of it.

I had a customer who paid a lot of money to have aluminum brackets made to hold the saddlebags on his bike. He ended up bringing the bike to me to replace with steel. Those things broke in a dozed places!



.

[blowndodge]

Nope. :bird: yourself.

That's very hurtful!!! :cry:

[dank]

That's very hurtful!!! :cry:


Oh Jeeze! Here we go with feelings being hurt again. Get a life, BD. Man up for pity sake. :wave::D:wave:

[Loafer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyBcHUe4WeQ

[markclark57]

HaHa, Sorry Brad. . .

[bobhamlin]

Nope. :bird: yourself.

That's very hurtful!!! :cry:

TMI. Maybe you're doing it wrong?

[cactusjack]

Oh Jeeze! Here we go with feelings being hurt again. Get a life, BD. Man up for pity sake. :wave::D:wave:

BD is very thin skinned. Most people don't know this about him, but he's very sensitive and wears his emotions on his shirt sleeve.

[blowndodge]

That's because you don't wear shirt sleeves!! :wtf:

http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb210/blowndodge/lilScott2.jpg

[markclark57]

That's a different kind of irony / ironing / whatever. . .

[Sin City Stan]

This is one of the few fields I know nothing about.. I wish I did!!

Brad, it's probably a good idea if you just stick to the super glue. ;)

[markclark57]

Brad, it's probably a good idea if you just stick to the super glue. ;)

Duct tape too (especialy if it vibrates) Oooh KinKy. . .:P

[ponch]

BD is very thin skinned. Most people don't know this about him, but he's very sensitive and wears his emotions on his shirt sleeve.

Well Ironed.

[blowndodge]

But of course..!!!