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Technical => Restoration, Preservation & Body work Forum => Topic started by: jim martin on December 04, 2003, 09:00:29 PM

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: jim martin on December 04, 2003, 09:00:29 PM

i need to get some beetle window and body aluminum trim moldings welded.i now its thin stuff ,anyone out there a expert with a tig
 

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: James Buchan on December 04, 2003, 10:39:08 PM

I can most likely do it for you, I'm not an expert but I'm getting fairly good with a Tig (as long as I've had enough coffee :) ) and if I can't I can get one of my guys to do it.
Can you post a pic so I can see what you need.
J

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: James Buchan on December 05, 2003, 10:45:10 AM

Are you sure it's AL and not stainless?

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: Bruce on December 05, 2003, 03:28:18 PM

I can't imagine any human being able to TIG weld the thin alum trim strips.  But you've got nothing to lose by trying.  Make sure you strip off the anodizing first.

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: James Buchan on December 05, 2003, 04:11:21 PM

I've brought an old POS one I had at home in to work to give it a try, I'll let you know how it works out.

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: jim martin on December 05, 2003, 04:46:21 PM

thats great !,let me know if its possible to weld them as it would make for some cool custom pieces

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: dannyboy on December 05, 2003, 04:56:34 PM

i know a guy that can tig two pop cans together.... but i dont know if he will be able to do it
if james cant do it il check
-dan

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: James Buchan on December 05, 2003, 06:01:51 PM

It's not a matter of getting them together, but to do a clean job seeing as its a visible area.

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: Rooodie on December 05, 2003, 06:21:06 PM

My old man would always tell me about a guy that could weld two foil gum wrappers together...never saw it myself....probably an old urban legend

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: James Buchan on December 05, 2003, 07:42:56 PM

I can do that - rub them together and static should hold them!

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: jim martin on December 05, 2003, 09:08:34 PM

since i'm a total computer looser ,i can only send a photo i cant seam to post one. so ,  this is what i'm after ,the door trim/outer seal molding is going to be sectioned in 2 spots and hopefully rewelded so i can have a complete aluminun trim around a one piece window as well as the body moldings ,frt quarter ,door, rear quarter need to be longer so i can remount them,
thanks  for seeing if its doable.i will keep my fingers crossed,

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: Bruce on December 06, 2003, 03:47:39 AM

Why do the body strips need to be longer?

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: jim martin on December 06, 2003, 07:20:54 AM

sorry i can't give all my custom tips at once ,or it won't be any fun looking at it too try to find all the small things

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: James Buchan on December 09, 2003, 05:05:53 PM

WellI succesfully burnt up some thin Aluminum :)
Sorry doesnt look like I can help ya out.

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: jim martin on December 10, 2003, 03:55:57 PM

hey danny boy can you see if your friend can help with the welding

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: Billyisgr8 on December 10, 2003, 06:51:55 PM

I have seen welding rods for aluminum that use a flame to weld with, much cooler, and would work.

House of tools in langley carries these.

Kevin

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: dannyboy on December 10, 2003, 10:27:34 PM

if i have time il give him a call tommorow, how  thick is the molding??

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: dannyboy on December 10, 2003, 10:28:23 PM

if i have time il give him a call tommorow, how  thick is the molding??

Title: Welding Aluminum Moldings
Post by: jim martin on December 13, 2003, 10:55:26 PM

sorry been sking for a few days !!!!!, will measure sunday morning.