ok, so the jimmy gote is about done and I'm thinking about the next one. Thinking of buying a TIG welder and need a project. Soooo, I was thinking of something a bit more lighter then the 320lb jimmy gote. So a 6.5 clone and an aluminum frame. But never worked with much aluminum. Any issues I should think about? How does it hold up to flex and other stress? Any words of wisdom?
An old welder fabricator told me a long time ago that for aluminum to have the same strength as steel it had to be twice as thick which means it weighs just about the same..... I learned to stick weld looking over his shoulder watching him. This was 40 plus years ago, so I am sure aluminum specs have changed since. It might get pricey to buy specific grade of aluminum to have the extra strength...
My advice to you would be to buy a Cobra Torch and a small set of tanks and gas weld the aluminum. My next reply will clear this up.
Most of my experience with aluminum and TIG has been that the metal fails at some point within a 1/4" or so of the hot spot. Thats with boat trailers on washboard roads. Not every joint, but, the most stressed. I am working on some trial welds with a small Miller MIG with an aluminum spool gun.
You got a can of worms here...still, good concept.
SAT
SAT the reason the metal fails at or near the weld is because it was overheated. My Tig welding instructor preached that if the aluminum weld bead was not shiny the weld was overheated and would fail..... He was adamant about this.
Thus the reason I suggested a Cobra Torch and gas welding the aluminum. Softer heat/flame and almost no chance of overheating it. And the Cobra torch will cut 1'' plate clean. So the tool has multiple uses.
Here is a video of the torch in action. I own one and it does everything that they claim it will do. I am not proficient with it but when I need it it does the job. Bought it from the very man doing the video, Dal McGill, in 1994. Great guy and he never forgets your name. It has been called a Henrob torch, a Dillon torch and now the Cobra torch. I have no affiliation with him but he is a guy that will help you and stand behind what he sells.
[video=youtube;bBWy3SPFGe4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBWy3SPFGe4[/video]
Here is his aluminum welding video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=FTD6bcFpRVs
And his webpage to order the torch.
Welding & Cutting Torch Acetylene Welding Torch DHC 2000 Torch Cut Like Plasma -TorchWeld.com
Doug
edit - this torch works with 4 psi of pressure from both tanks. 2 small tanks will last for a long time...