brazing alum.

admin

I have some cracks in this aluminum boat I bought for $25. I'm not going to spend money on a hydrogen bottle to do it the right way. So....this boat is like 20 ga., when I braze, it wants to melt though. I'm using brazing flux but the boat wants to melt before it welds good. Is there anyway around this such as putting a peice of copper behind it or lowering my p.s.i. on my gauges? Maybe drag the soldering gun out? Or the good old fashion way....J.B. Weld that sucker!
Reply:Use a patch plate- get yourself some of that real sticky clear silicone, and pop rivet on the patch plate, with a whole lot of gooey silicone between the two pieces of aluminum. Adding any kind of heat to old 20ga aluminum is just asking for shiny drops on the floor.
Reply:Have you tried small bottle LP. tourch? this is what I use along with stick alum.  no flux.... just wave the heat on crack and keep the rod close to the crack at the same time get the rod to melt just a hair befor the cracke eara is ready and let it flow together. this is of course with the spot cleaned real well. it works for me..try it on some old pieces first.. I do this on all of the rivets that are loose and will not tighten...good luck.one good deed is worth a thousand good intentions