done any aluminum repair / fabrication using DuraFix ?

No, but I have repaired aluminum parts with a product called
"JB Weld" that I bought at Home Depot.  It is an epoxy that
needs to set about six hours before you can handle the part,
and then about 24 hrs till it can be stressed.  It is suprisingly
strong.  Once it is set, it can be drilled, machined, etc.  I have
found it especially useful for stripped threads or downsizing
holes.  Just fill in the hole with the gunk, let it set, then drill
and tap.

@bignews1.bellsouth.net:


You can buy these AL rods from Harbor Freight. I've butt welded
2 flat 1/8" AL plate 12" long. It actually works. You use a
Propane torch, not a blow torch. I don't know what will happen
with 1/4" material.

Thanks - this is good info! Guess I have incorrectly beeing using the term
"blow torch" to mean "propane torch". (Like Coke and cola, etc.)

It's nice to know I can get the AL rods from Harbor Freight! Is there
*anything* they don't sell ?!?

Thanks again.

It's not incorrect. A propane torch is one of many types of blow torch.
A blow torch is merely a torch that uses a flammable compressed gas or
liquid. This isn't to say all blow torches provide enough heat for
aluminum brazing. Propane is certainly much safer.

As an FYI, there are A LOT of metalworking forums and groups. Be sure to
ask there as well.

-- Gordon

Thanks! That's a good tip I hadn't thought of!

FYI - for those of you out there in the same stages of "fabrication
education" as myself, here is a good group, it seems:
rec.crafts.metalworking

Thanks again, Gordon.

Yeah, bout the torch, there's propane and map gas torches sold at
H.F.  The map gas burns much hotter. The propane is lower in temp.
A guy from work bought a map gas one time ... and ... it's much
hotter. we decided to buy the propane one.  THEN by a stoke of
luck, we took some motor oil to the local university hazat drop off
and, Bingo !  We picked up 4 propane bottles, the tall skinny ones,
not the low fat one for camping.  So Check out the local hazmat
drop off place, you might find some good stuff that someone else
dosent want.  I also got 2 gallons of white latex paint not opened,
brand new paint.

    --For this lot I think you'd be better of using pop rivets..

--
        "Steamboat Ed" Haas         :  Nihil curo de ista tua  
        Hacking the Trailing Edge!  :  stulta superstitione...
                   http://www.nmpproducts.com/intro.htm
                   ---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---

Could be, but have you used the Durafix or a similar product ? Results ?
Thanks !

: Could be, but have you used the Durafix or a similar product ? Results ?
    --Never bother, cuz I'm a machinist. Heh.


--
        "Steamboat Ed" Haas         :  Nihil curo de ista tua  
        Hacking the Trailing Edge!  :  stulta superstitione...
                   http://www.nmpproducts.com/intro.htm
                   ---Decks a-wash in a sea of words---

skills !   :-)

There was a guy working as a freelance welder in the pits at
Daytona raceway who could weld aluminum and even magnesium with
an acetelene/oxy torch. I watched in awe.


--
Pat

And no doubt from a distance, when you saw him heading for the magnesium
with an acetylene torch.