Aluminum Welding Flux?

[Gabe]

I am trying to weld aluminum with an oxyacetylene torch but am having a difficult time finding a source of aluminum welding flux.

My old welding books mention gas welding aluminum as long as a proper flux is used, but searches always find aluminum brazing flux (which I already have plenty of). With welding I can concentrate heat and lay a bead, but brazing uses too much heat and melts the base metal. Now I want to see how successful gas welding aluminum is, but I will need "aluminum welding flux" (I assume it exists?). I am hoping for advice from people with actual welding experience, but all comments are appreciated.

[Biff]

One of our sponsors, engineers, from last year loaned us a video tape from
http://www.tinmantech.com he sells all kinds of stuff, including the flux.
Good Luck
Biff

[Dick Linn]

Sign up over at http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/ and ask the question there. Or on the Miller welding forum: http://www.millermotorsports.com/mbo...isplay.php?f=3

Here's one source of flux I found by searching the Hobart forum. Great guys on that forum, by the way. http://tinmantech.chainreactionweb.c...5ac3ca55ab119a

[DDAwg3]

Hello,

You will not have a whole lot success with an Oxy -Arc torch with or without flux....very difficult and experience needed to control the heat as you are experiencing easily welded w/ Gas Tungsten arc using Argon Gas and either (4043 or 6061 - filler material or Gas Metal arc welding.....email me with any further questions..


Scott
Welding Engineer

[Dan 1038]

Throw away the torch and find a friend / sponsor with a TIG or at least a MIG. Aluminum is a tricky one and heat control is key, you need to be able to accurately control the weld temperature and be precise - in my experience TIG is the way to go, more precise and forgiving, but lots of shops appear to do aluminum with MIGs very well. Experiment on scrap pieces of the same thickness and then give it a shot. Good luck!

[Gabe]

None of this is for robotics; just trying to expand my own welding skills.
And thanks to the people for directing me to the TM Technologies flux; just what I was looking for!

[Dick Linn]

ESAB has a number of different fluxes for aluminum. You might try All-State # 35. http://products.esabna.com/index.htm...40977.61155701

A local welding supplier may have it.