tig al, brass brush

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just received my "practical welding today" mag and in an article on tips for al. gtaw they say use a brass wire brush cause it minimizes surface scarring. i was preached at by the old timers to not use anything but a stainless brush so as not to contaminate. whats yalls thoughts? tom
Reply:Did they mean to use "after" the weld?
Reply:they were saying "to remove the oxide layer mechanically, use a stainless steel or brass wire brush to scrub the surface of the aluminum." tom
Reply:I know some sculpters will use a brass brush and heat to tint and color steel, so as far as hot aluminum, no way I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeI know some sculpters will use a brass brush and heat to tint and color steel, so as far as hot aluminum, no way
Reply:I must lead a BLESSED  life..... Lol. I never use any kind of brush to clean Parts BEFORE welding?  If I use a brush at allIt's a stainless tooth brush after the weld to maybeRemove some soot from the Helium...  Miller Dynasty 350Twenty Six HammersThree Crow BarsBig Rock
Reply:Originally Posted by 4sfedWhat do you think is going to happen?  You'll get some contamination from whichever brush you use.  Brass is a combination of copper and zinc, stainless is a combination of iron, chromium and nickel.Aluminum alloys contain these elements . . .AA6061 - .70% iron, .15-.40% copper, .25% zinc, .15-.40%chromiumAA3003 - .70% iron, .20% copper, .10% zinc.AA1100 - 1.0% silicon and iron, .20% copper, .10% zinc.AA5052 - .10% copper, .10% zinc. .15-.35% chromiumNone of these contain nickel . . . but stainless is the accepted brush material . . . go figure.
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CI must lead a BLESSED  life..... Lol. I never use any kind of brush to clean Parts BEFORE welding?  If I use a brush at allIt's a stainless tooth brush after the weld to maybeRemove some soot from the Helium...
Reply:Only stainless...After the weld the most I use is a scotch bright pad.
Reply:Originally Posted by B_CI must lead a BLESSED  life..... Lol. I never use any kind of brush to clean Parts BEFORE welding?  If I use a brush at allIt's a stainless tooth brush after the weld to maybeRemove some soot from the Helium...