Aluminum crack repair ?

[Arc Burn]

OK,bear with me,i'm a newbie to aluminum and i have a few questions.When repairing cracked welds do you "V" the crack out just like steel?if so what kind of wheel do you use?
I think i understand the basics-Keep everything clean,Increase travel speed,stainless wire brush dedeicated to aluminum.Am i missing anything?I've run a number of welds already with the spoolgun and they are all pretty good,so i'm trying to move on!Thanks

[Hobart Expert Rock]

ARC BURN...........GLAD TO HEAR YOU DOING GOOD IN SPOOL GUN WELDING ALUMINUM.............HOW THICK OF MATERIAL AND WHAT KIND OF ALUMINUM ARE WE TALKING ABOUT....................................NEED A LITTLE MORE INFO......... THANKS...........................ROCK............. ................ [email protected],COM

[Arc Burn]

Well,i played with 3/16 and 1/4 at the dealers,a bunch of T joints but i know some guys with aluminum dump trailers for semi- trucks and things like that,so i'm wondering what the procedure is in general for repairing cracks,i hope that makes some kind of sense?

[Jerry]

Another procedure to try would be to drill small hole at end of the crack. This will stop it from continuing. Yes do like you said by veeying cracked area, if possible get all of crack out for best job.

[Arc Burn]

Please excuse my ignorance but what are you using to grind aluminum?Won't a regular grinding wheel contaminate the area?I'm quite proficent in steel welding as i worked bridge construction for 7 years but not to many bridges were made out of aluminum ,this is all new to me.There is no one specific repair i need,i'm just looking for info on how to tackle aluminum repairs in general.

[Jerry]

I have in the past used 4 1/2" grinding wheels and after I use them on aluminum they only get used for aluminum, because its the aluminum that gets all built up on the wheel, and will then contaminate the other metals I work on.

I also have used 3" cut off wheels and 1/4" de burr cutters, rough ones for aluminum, otherwise they clog up easy.

Good luck Bud

[FIXXXXAH]

I USE A CUT OFF WHEEL IN A DIE GRINDER/CUTOFF TOOL TO GROOVE OUT CRACKS AND HAD GOOD RESULTS. IF YOUR REPAIRING CRACKS IN CAST ALUMINUM, BE PREPARED FOR REALLY POROUS ALUMINUM, AND USSUALLY THERE WILL BE OIL IN THE PORES, FUN FUN


JUST MESS AROUND, YOU'LL FIGURE IT OUT

mATT

[TheOldOne]

Originally posted by Arc Burn
Please excuse my ignorance but what are you using to grind aluminum?Won't a regular grinding wheel contaminate the area?I'm quite proficent in steel welding as i worked bridge construction for 7 years but not to many bridges were made out of aluminum ,this is all new to me.There is no one specific repair i need,i'm just looking for info on how to tackle aluminum repairs in general.

They make special grinding wheels for aluminum and stainless. They do not load up. Ask at your welding supply store.