Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild
Well I wouldn't say it was from a lack of effort on your part. Does it say anything about a cure time?
They showed them trying to drill into it on the videos, did you try that at all? I wonder if any of the claims are accurate.
I didn't try any drilling but I am betting those big lumps where it flowed with the gravity would hold up very well, no question there.
Yah, I let them cool to the touch.
I have used this stuff with success. You have to keep the rod out of the flame. Heat the part and put the rod on the heat spot and rub it. The rod should start to melt. If not add more heat and repeat until the rod starts to melt and continue the bead.
Yup, that is what I was adooin. Pretty much the only way it will work.
Its also essential to make sure everything is VERY clean. It appears to be reasonably thick scrap you are using there, are you sure you are getting enough heat into it with that torch? Try it out on new/thinner scrap if possible and see how that goes. There is also a fine line between too much/not enough heat when welding aluminium, you need to apply/remove the torch constantly as you go, one of the more difficult welding techniques for a novice to master imo, especially so with gas.
Keep at it, you will get there with more practice.
Well the first attempt was with pretty thin stuff. The others were a little thicker.
Yah, I was continuously moving the torch around waiting for that sweet spot where it would be hot enough to melt the rod.
I do think more practice will improve my technique, for sure.
I've use Dura-Fix before, it's just,,, OK.
Did you brush all the surfaces with (a new) SS brush, tin the parts, brush with the SS brush again while it's molten, then braze?
Nope, just cleaned up the alum with the SS brush where I was going to lay the bead. Nothing while it was molten.
I hope it works out for you!!
Well...
Initially/primarily the reason I bought the stuff was to fill the gaps on my trim aluminum and make it look purdy. No way that is going to happen. I can tell already that the rod will melt, follow gravity and run right down onto my deck making a giant mess. I am certain that I will end up making things look worse, not better.
Nah, not going to do that!
So, maybe this Dura Fix has it's applications and maybe my technique could use some work, but, I'll surely need to go a different route to fix up my trim there.
Maybe All Metal? Maybe JB Weld? Hmmmmm, we'll see.
Thanks fellas!!
