Custom Ali Radiator

How big, how much flow ???

( one or more current model GM heater and or AC cores might fit the bill perfectly )

I don't think you can do it in a reasonable amount of time and with a reasonable amount of money. AL doesn't want to solder in any normal way. The nature of the radiator is that it will try to radiate away the heat that you apply.

If you need AL, try to find an existing product that will work. There's lots of cute AL oil coolers and condensers and they aren't too expensive.

If you have to build it yourself, use brass and solder with a small oxy/ace torch. I don't know what you can do about the color except paint it.

||If you solder the parts then the joint will not be anodized. If you ||want to weld, then you are getting into another problem area, because of ||the thin walls of the tubing used(if thats the way you are going) Here ||is a link to some solder products, these or something similar should be ||available through a local welding supplier. ||

||I have seen some tinted clear paints available in the autoparts stores, ||would that do over the soldered parts? || ||James wrote: ||> I'm interested in building a custom aluminium radiator for a little project ||> I'm planning but I haven't worked with aluminium too much so I have a quick ||> question. The design is going to be fairly straight forward with tubes and ||> fins but I need to know how to 'soldier' the fins. Is there something anyone ||> can recommend? I was hoping to just get some quick solder but wasn't sure ||> what to use. ||> ||> I would ideally like to anodize it a specific colour afterwards so does this ||> mean it has to be welded with ali? ||> ||> Thanks :) ||> ||> ||> || ||-- ||James P Crombie ||Slemon Park, PEI ||Canada ||Machinist - 3D Cad Design - Amateur Astronomer || ||||

Texas Parts Guy

My last trip into Fry's Electronics showed a whole raft of small water coolers for computer CPUs. Most of them are external of course and the fins are milled.

google cpu water cooler

Gunner

"There is no difference between communism and socialism, except in the means of achieving the same ultimate end: communism proposes to enslave men by force, socialism - by vote. It is merely the difference between murder and suicide." - Ayn Rand, from "Foreign Policy Drains U.S. of Main Weapons"

If the radiator is close to automotive sized, I would suggest buying an aluminum core and then fitting the tanks or adapting an existing tank. Howe, Afco, Griffin and similar folks make cores in many sizes. Any racer's supply house will be able to get them for you.

Peter

||> I would ideally like to anodize it a specific colour afterwards so does ||this ||> mean it has to be welded with ali? ||>

||> Thanks :) ||>

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Texas Parts Guy

You can also use an aftermarket transmission cooler, or possibly an AC condenser off of some automobile. It would help to know what size this needs to be. Most radiator shops can order a core that is built already, and then just add your tanks you want to the ends.

Chris

Thanks for all your input - I would like (because this is cosmetic work) to keep it looking as a single unit.

I did have a suggestion about making it in parts that might work so I think I'll just do that - Using a stock part isn't really going to fit for this.

Thanks,

James

Allstate #31 with Allstate #31 flux is designed to join thin aluminum It wets and flows out on clean aluminum pretty much like solder does on brass. You *must* use the right flux! One source for both is W.W.Grainger.

This stuff was developed for HVAC technicians working on aluminum refrigeration plumbing, radiators and condensers.

I d>I'm interested in building a custom aluminium radiator for a little project

I'll try and find some here in the UK and see if it does :)

Thanks - J