[jbranson]

OWWW...My ears!!

I've used some other aluminum repair rods and could never get them to work worth a crap. However I've never used that product...and the video is certainly impressive. I've got a TIG welder, a nice one, and I would find it hard to duplicate most of that stuff. The lap joint in the beginning was very impressive.
Obviously it's some kind of aluminum brazing where the parent metal isn't melted. I TIG braze steel all the time, and like that stuff, the steel will bend before the joint breaks.

JohnnyB

 

[jbranson]

Straight DC TIG's won't weld aluminum. They have to have AC and preferably high frequency for arc stabilization. Or to use the old school phrase a (Heli-arc) welder, although that was a trade name.

Typically you'd also want a square wave machine.

I just talked to my welding machine service tech the other day. Told him I was interested in a inverter machine. He told me to hold off, that there were still some issues to sort out with the inverter machines. Something about boards burning out...that cost about $800. Told me to hold on to my Syncrowave for a while.

But I've heard great stuff about the inverter machines and how well they work. The variable frequency models are supposed to be the shiznit for aluminum. Don't know about their durability...not really enough of them out there long enough yet. LIKE THAT GUY SAID ....I'd recommend name brand also. And name brand inverter TIGs with AC and high freq aren't cheap.

I lean toward Lincoln...I have two of them and one Miler Syncro. The Lincolns have never had a problem (MIG), the Miller has burned out two $500 boards...but I think I know why and solved the problem.

Saw a Miller inverter plasma cutter while I was at the shop, cuts 3/8 steel....was the size of a freakin lunch box...I couldn't believe it.
JohnnyB