Stick Welding Looominumm

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I have to build a small ramp.  Steel is too heavy to be moving around daily.Checked out the procedure in the "bible", and it seems pretty straightforward, except for filler selection.  Between 1100, and 4043, which would be the easier rod to run for someone who hasn't welded aluminum before?"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I used to stick weld alum years ago. DC rev and it melts like butter. Make sure the alum is clean and don't stay in one spot for too long or the bottom will fall out. 1/8" and up is best for stick...BobBob WrightSalem, Ohio  Birthplace of the Silver & Deming Drillhttp://groups.yahoo.com/group/southbend10k/http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sawking/1999 Miller MM185 w/ Miller 185 Spoolmate spoolgun
Reply:I'd say 4043.  General all-around aluminum filler, especially for the 'usual' 6061/6063/etc aluminum used to fabricate many things.I kind of doubt you are worried about a color match after anodizing.  Which is one of the drawbacks to 4043, as it won't anodize clear but turns a dark grey-black.As to steel being too heavy, just put it on wheels or rig up some lift-fork channels or lift it with your tractor crane or ...  More seriously, although aluminum is indeed lighter than steel it is NOT stronger than steel.  Especially the welds, which often 'lose' more than 50% of the strength of the original aluminum pieces.  And other specific design/material/physical properties of aluminum that are different from steel.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Thanks, I'm a little nervous about it.My buddy Tubby has some scrap aluminum that he's willing to part with.  I should imagine that somewhere around 3/16 ought to do.  It's just a little ramp from the ground to the lip of my container.  A short little dock plate kinda thing I guess.  Max weight would be O/A cart.  Max span around 2 feet, width of one door on container."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Welded aluminum is 64% of the strength of the parent material .Do not leave the aluminum rods exposed to the open air even one night as the flux coating will fall off.When welding with those rods you need to move downward almst as fast as you are moving forward. The rods are very expensive. about $60.00 per pound.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomDo not leave the aluminum rods exposed to the open air even one night as the flux coating will fall off. The rods are very expensive. about $60.00 per pound.
Reply:Originally Posted by Donald BranscomWelded aluminum is 64% of the strength of the parent material .Do not leave the aluminum rods exposed to the open air even one night as the flux coating will fall off.When welding with those rods you need to move downward almst as fast as you are moving forward. The rods are very expensive. about $60.00 per pound.
Reply:Posts overlapped JT.Are they available in small quantity, or just 5lb. and up?"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I've trusted Mr. Branscoms advice since I got here.  This is turning into a real dilemna.The "bible" did say that the flux on aluminum rods can decay in a very short time when exposed to any kind of humidity."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Like other rods the flux come off easily when the weld is right.  It is messy and piles up around your work area.  I got 5lbs of 1100 rods for 48 bucks a few months ago-- so 60/lbs is high.  My lws priceI think you will end up using the welder that runs them best.  I have run four different stick welder and two didn't run the rod well at all.  The 135 mig might not be a bad idea.I have a thread around here showing some Aluminum stick welds.  Notice the mess.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderLike other rods the flux come off easily when the weld is right.  It is messy and piles up around your work area.  I got 5lbs of 1100 rods for 48 bucks a few months ago-- so 60/lbs is high.  My lws priceI think you will end up using the welder that runs them best.  I have run four different stick welder and two didn't run the rod well at all.  The 135 mig might not be a bad idea.I have a thread around here showing some Aluminum stick welds.  Notice the mess.
Reply:Originally Posted by JTMcCI've kept a few alu stick rods on my truck since the late 90's, some of those cans last several years before we use them up. That's hundreds of days, not just "one night" and I've never seen the flux coating fall off of one yet.You can buy them from Ram Welding Supply, like I do, for $16.39 per pound.JTMcC.
Reply:http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=15621 Not trying to discourage you from using the rods because of the mess.  The metal cleans easily, just beware of the corrosive slag that will be around, on things that you might not want messed up.I have been carrying some around in my truck too, I have yet to have need for it.  I got a spool gun after I got the rods and can't see using the rods.Last edited by tapwelder; 11-07-2008 at 11:20 PM.
Reply:Originally Posted by tapwelderhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=15621 Not trying to discourage you from using the rods because of the mess.  The metal cleans easily, just beware of the corrosive slag that will be around, on things that you might not want messed up.I have been carrying some around in my truck too, I have yet to have need for it.  I got a spool gun after I got the rods and can't see using the rods.
Reply:oh yeah, for safety start with low amperage and work up.  When the rod spatters at high amperage it throws large chunk of molten metal and slag everywhere.  I had one hit me in the top off the head-- I'm talking a molten glob on metal.
Reply:farmersamm, This isn't an answer to your aluminum question, but it might just solve your problem! As I understand it you want to make a removable ramp for you sea-land storage box. I made a similar, longer ramp a few years ago. I cut off the bottom door locking cams, and any weatherstrip flap. I don't think I had to trim the door, but I wouldn't be afraid to if necessary. I was able to use 3" steel channel welded directly to the edge of the box frame.I kept it down the thickness of the d-plate that I welded on last. This was for a car dealership, and they wanted it gradual enough for all the help to be able to put away seldom used equipment, without the worry of having a removable ramp.  The only possible drawback might be a little less security and a bit of rain / snowmight enter in the bottom.Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:Originally Posted by tessdadfarmersamm, This isn't an answer to your aluminum question, but it might just solve your problem! As I understand it you want to make a removable ramp for you sea-land storage box. I made a similar, longer ramp a few years ago. I cut off the bottom door locking cams, and any weatherstrip flap. I don't think I had to trim the door, but I wouldn't be afraid to if necessary. I was able to use 3" steel channel welded directly to the edge of the box frame.I kept it down the thickness of the d-plate that I welded on last. This was for a car dealership, and they wanted it gradual enough for all the help to be able to put away seldom used equipment, without the worry of having a removable ramp.  The only possible drawback might be a little less security and a bit of rain / snowmight enter in the bottom.
Reply:just teach that dog how to shoot a gun. problem solved.
Reply:Samm, I'll stay out of this except to say if you haven't stick welded Looominumm before, LOTS of luck.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammI've trusted Mr. Branscoms advice since I got here.  This is turning into a real dilemna.The "bible" did say that the flux on aluminum rods can decay in a very short time when exposed to any kind of humidity.