Working Aluminium

I put this on the Kalakala thread but I think it's better here as well.

Before starting the ally needs to be annealed, smear with edge of a bar of soap and heat until soap turns dark brown then quickly quench in cold water. This should be done whether it's a simple 90deg bend or working curves.

When working aluminium sheet to a curve a Soft Dolly "metal workers forming bag" usually made of leather is needed,  but modellers can get away with a cloth backed vinyl bag filled with sand a google search for metal forming bag came up with this Link.

https://andyidsinga.wordpress.com/2010/12/04/metal-work-my-first-hammer-forming-project/


A ball ended wooden mallet of about 2" is used to beat the metal to shape "I see in the link he uses metal hammers for a creditable job, although much harder to work with.

Annealing needs to be done frequently as the pounding hardens the aluminium.

Nice one Damien

I have started to publish my report of building my model sailboat Carina from scratch in this forum.

https://www.thercmodelboatforum.com/t1794-building-my-sailboat-carina-from-scratch

The next stuff I will publish is building the deck frame with aluminum. The result is quite nice, but aluminum and I have not yet become friends! Practically all joining of parts that would have been nice to do by soldering were done using M3 x 16 mm. I would be very willing later during this winter learn from those of you that know how to it!

Has anyone here personal experience welding aluminum or/and aluminum and brass?

Not having done it myself a Web search came up with this Hellmut I hope it helps.

https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-weld-aluminum/

I have found tutorials on Youtube that look great. The problem is that on modeling tradeshows I always get to see the things working. But when I try to do the same at home it fails. That is why asking if somebody has personal experience I would like to share information with him. Specially I want to see how his setup looks like and how it works and to have the person judge what I got. Sadly now it finally became autumn and it is called and wet outside. I would prefer to do my learning experiences welding outside.

A web search for "silver soldering brass" should help or a search for brazing may also be helpful although brazing requires higher heat.

Sad! So apparently no one has personal experience to share? Thx anyway!

Hi Helmut, it might be worth joining the forum in the link bellow, it is called "Metalmeet" and all things metal are covered there but you have to join to view the posts, I have been a member for several years and the folk on there are from all over the world , there combined knowledge is immense.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/register.php?s=150d9d9bf329fc0d75050dc3c6b0b418&do=signup

Enjoy

Thx.

Glad I could help Helmut It might be worth other folk who are interested in working with metal taking a look too, the site covers about all most all metal working from car restoration to art and beyond.