Thoughts on Alumaloy/Duraweld/WizardWeld?

[BigBlue1]

I saw a Youtube video where a guy in the UK was trying out various applications of a low-temp aluminum repair or 'welding' product called Duraweld. It's basically aluminum soldering with a low melting point stick of this stuff and a standard propane torch. Was wondering what people have experienced with this type of thing? I'm not looking for it for any real welding needs but it may come in handy to repair aluminum pieces with problems (cracks, holes, chunks broken out) or stick non-critical pieces of aluminum or other pot metals together.

Alumaloy Distributor Login

 

[dragoneggs]

That would be fun to try! I have only soldered copper. Following along.

 

[Roadworthy]

I've not tried it - perhaps I should. For minor repairs I've had very good luck with J B Weld - basically an epoxy.

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Those type products have been around a long time. back in the 50's the refrigeration supply houses had it. Was great for connecting dissimilar metals and repairing aluminum plate evaporators. It worked just like soft solder but had a higher tensile strength. I would bet you can get it on Amazon. I used it several times when an O/A set up was not practical to do a quick repair.

Ron

 

[yomax4]

All of that Alumaloy type solder is simply zinc. Ok for filling holes or maybe small tubes but not so good for joining something like aluminum angle iron. Plus it's expensive. If you want to try it out you can get #52 fro Harris or Alumite from Weldcote Metals for a fraction of the cost of the others. Same stuff. Years back there was even a flux for it which made it better but I don't see flux for it anymore. I have a LOT of this stuff laying around but almost never use it. It was fun to use at shows for the wow factor but I have no practical use for it in my shop.

 

[Shaneard]

I tried the alumaloy crap once, it was awful.

 

[BigBlue1]

All of that Alumaloy type solder is simply zinc. Ok for filling holes or maybe small tubes but not so good for joining something like aluminum angle iron. Plus it's expensive. If you want to try it out you can get #52 fro Harris or Alumite from Weldcote Metals for a fraction of the cost of the others. Same stuff. Years back there was even a flux for it which made it better but I don't see flux for it anymore. I have a LOT of this stuff laying around but almost never use it. It was fun to use at shows for the wow factor but I have no practical use for it in my shop.

I tried the alumaloy crap once, it was awful.

I can't find the exact video anymore but the one I watched on Youtube from a guy in the UK showed that it was a surprisingly solid connection when done right (Durafix Easyweld, available in Europe but apparently the same product). He attached a piece of aluminum at 90* to an aluminum channel and it took some significant use of a BFH to delaminate it. Again, not something to be used for mission critical structural fastening but it certainly seems like more than a useless gimmick.

Also, it seems like some of these come with flux in the rod.

Anyway, I guess I should just try it. I'll check into the alternative products mentioned above.

Rob

 

[Travelover]

Harbor Freight used to sell it. I tried it when I first bought it and it worked well as long as the surface was wire brushed with a stainless steel brush and heated to the point where the rod melted on contact with the surface. Oddly, I've never found a need for it. I usually bolt aluminum projects together.

Read the reviews here. Aluminum Welding Rods - Pack of 8 Low Temperature Rods

 

[GaryM]

I used one of those products years back when making a radio antenna.

Attached aluminum rod director elements to aluminum tube. Worked fine, but no stress involved.

 

[TractorGuy]

Never used it but one video I watched the guy had the metal cleaned super bright. He said he scrubbed it with a stainless brush then wiped it down with acetone. He attached a piece of angle to a flat plate. It flowed to the angle first and he had to apply heat under the plate to get it hot enough to flow to the other piece. Much like soft soldering copper. He was able to break it off but it took some doing. I imagine how clean you get the metal will determine your success.