Aluminum Preparation/Cleanin

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I am bending some round aluminum and am concerned with the process affecting my welds. In order to bend smoothly without galling the 6061, I need to lube the die set in the bender. Wondering if there is a special aluminum lubricant that makes cleanup and prep easy. I have used a stepped method of Simple Green, then clean and fresh degreaser with a final wipe of acetone using a clean rag, then I Stainless steel wire brush. Then I acetone wipe again. I have not started the welds yet in case there is a step I could be doing better. What are your thoughts and experiences?
Reply:hmm  tough call.   id say sounds like a good plan.  can you experiment on one befiore you get too crazy?IF it Catches...Let it Burn
Reply:Experiment? What are you talking about? EVERYTHING  I do is an experiment!  Right now I am in the midde of a big one I like to call "Life"hahahaOk, back to business. Yeah, I have plenty to work with. I just don't have a lot of aluminum experience and thought maybe I am making it more work than it needs to be. Like there is some guy in a shop laughing to himself thinking "Why doesn't Joker11 just use that one lubricant "Alumalube" like everyone else and skip the cleaning??" you know?
Reply:myself..i just use acetonecleans anythingdont leave the can on the welding table....the hi frequency may set it on fire......zap!
Reply:Joker,Sounds like you have covered you bases.  If you are really concerned about getting it right the first time, you might just try a test piece before starting in earnest.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I would like to add one comment . Your prep (cleaning procedure is very good. - But- its only good for about 24 hours . THEN if left like that, it will re-oxidize , and will need to be repeated. Clean is not enough, you need the aluminum to be  RAW  where the weld is to be done . I had to learn the hard way . The oxidized (unprepared) surface does not melt untill about 3,600  degrees , clean  raw alum melts at under 950  degrees (aproximate)
Reply:Instead of the traditional lube for the bending, could you just use the Simple Green? It is a bit slippery, and it might make thinks a bit easier. I have a rotary draw type bender, Ercolina brand, the next time I bend aluminum pipe, I am going to try this myself. Let us know how this works.  As a side note, does anyone have a set of dies for 1" square 16 ga. tube, that will fit my machine, that they want to sell. Price? Or if your near me, southeastern MA, would rent to me?Just my  opinion, not from a book, just from the road.Howes Welding Inc.www.howesweldinginc.com
Reply:Yeah. I didn't mean to suggest that I was cleaning it and sitting around for a while. I am cleaning it and then getting down to business. Hey Zap, what type of lube do you use for bending? I think WD40 is easy cuz you can get it in a plastic spray bottle instead of an aerosol.Oh tessdad, I have a JD2 Model 4 Hydraulic bender with Enerpac cylinder and pump.
Reply:Hey Zap, what type of lube do you use for bending? I think WD40 is easy cuz you can get it in a plastic spray bottle instead of an aerosol.i dont do any bending but there is this wax stuff from LPS thats used for any aluminum aplicationor any metal for that matterwhen it gets hot it "wicks" to that area for extra lubewhen cool it will become a wax again that can be rough scraped away and clean up with acetone is a snapthere is also good'ol canning wax in the bar form alsosame thing but cheaper and works wonders when grinding/sanding aluminum for build up prevention in your sander/grinderi use it with die grinder bits ...zap!