Frame help

[Thunder arrow]

Hi I tried to do some frame work today but didn't go well
1st is almunim 1mm think rectriangle hollow bar good for a robot flipper frame
2nd HOW DO U WELD AlMUNIM WITH A ARC WELDER ( got the right welding rods and the amps r fine but it's inposable to weld :shock: :shock: )
3rd what is a other good why of joining 2 bars like would a nut and bolt work
or somthing different


Theo

[calumco]

hey, in what way are you finding it impossible to weld? like its not working at all or you havn't got the hang of welding?

[Thunder arrow]

I have welded other stuff but the stuff that I want to use for the frame i can't

[jonophilpott]

burning holes straight through it?

[typhoon_driver]

- 1mm ali box? no it won't be strong enough
- If you are trying to weld the same box chances are you are blowing holes in it as the current you are using is too high. I have never heard of ali being welded with an arc welder. Can you provide some details on the rods you are using? Ali is a nightmare to weld at the best of times so I'm not overly surprised.
- brackets with nuts and bolts or use some steel box section. Bit heavier however far easier to weld.

[Thunder arrow]

The amps are fine it's the metal, prob use steel or bolts,nuts

theo

[PJ-27]

We made our robot completely on a Steel tubing frame, held together with nuts and bolts and then welded, and ended up with loads of weight spare, so don't be afraid to go down that route.

[Chris230291]

Wow i never knew you could get arch rods that weld ali. what rods are they? link? are you sure the ali is clean enough? try to sand it first as it starts to oxidize pretty much as soon as it hits the air. i have no experience welding ali because have no access to tig but that info i just gave you was off of a program i saw on discovery channel :P

EDIT: and if you smear washing up liquid on the backside (haha) of your weld it starts to go a funny colour just before you burn through. so you know you've penetrated (snigger) as far as possible without burning a hole.

Hope that helped.

[Thunder arrow]

hi
thx for the help and will prob go with steel (have some steel welding rods)

i have sanded the alu with a motor sander (350w) but that didnt work
and sorry i dont know alot on the rods like where my dad got them from but they have a weird white thing on the outside of it


Theo

[Chris230291]

hi
thx for the help and will prob go with steel (have some steel welding rods)

i have sanded the alu with a motor sander (350w) but that didnt work
and sorry i dont know alot on the rods like where my dad got them from but they have a weird white thing on the outside of it


Theo

Yer all rods have that stuff on. stops gasses in the air mixing i believe. wont work without it just big sparks. not to worry.