text
0
5
289
24
* Aluminum can burst into bright
flame and self-destruct.
~

text
0
27
289
46
So, to weld aluminum,  you  have
to work a bit differently.
~

text
0
51
294
70
Let's do a practice session on a
typical application.
~

text
0
79
293
172
STEP 1
Get  a  housing  from  a   small
transmission,  a  motorcycle  or
moped engine casing or a washing
machine gear box. Clean an  area
to  weld  some  beads.  Aluminum
must not only be clean, but must
be sanded or filed to remove  an
invisibe  thin  layer  of  oxide
that forms. This should be  done
just moments before welding.
~

text
341
4
630
68
STEP 2
Support the piece to  be  welded
from  underneath  as  well as by
its edges.  Use blocks of  steel
as    furniture.     Unsupported
aluminum often  sags  and  warps
out of shape when welded.
~

text
338
75
627
175
STEP 3
Light  the  torch using less gas
velocity and one size larger tip
than you would for steel. Normal
gas  velocity  would  blow light
weight  liquid  aluminum   away.
Less gas  velocity does not work
with steel  because  the  sparks
would backfire  the  flame,  but
aluminum creates no sparks.

~

text
309
83
310
84
~

