Welding Steel to Aluminum (and some other inappropriate welding)

[SomeGuy]

I've wanted to try this for a while, I know it wasn't possible but it's another thing to see it first hand. It's surprising just how brittle/messy it gets. I think I was even more surprised by what happened with MIG welding aluminum with C25 gas, was, energetic :) lol

Anyway, here's the video if all of it:


Will say, the welder was the MVP of the day, it just worked and did anything it was asked, so good job Miller Multimatic 215.

 

[SomeGuyFromOlympia]

you are aware that they will not melt together?
one will melt onto the other but it will never mix

 

[Warforged]

Cool. Exactly what I expected.

 

[SomeGuy]

you are aware that they will not melt together?
one will melt onto the other but it will never mix

I was aware going into it...still wanted to see what happened :)

Also, aluminum with C25 gas was pretty nutty

 

[Weasel]

well you can weld them using friction stir welding process, but that's not shop tech yet.

 

[arse_sidewards]

well you can weld them using friction stir welding process, but that's not shop tech yet.

explosive welding too

 

[Weasel]

explosive welding too

you could probably shop tech that

 

[MigGunslinger]

I watched that last night.

Good video even if all of the results were exactly as expected. Look forward to the follow up where you get some argon and try it again. You could also fill a big hole in steel using aluminum as a backer which may be a neat trick to show in the channel.

Should also get the tig hardware so you can do some tig brazing and actually make a joint. Maybe that is video 3, lets ring this chamois for all it's worth.

 

[SomeGuy]

I watched that last night.

Good video even if all of the results were exactly as expected. Look forward to the follow up where you get some argon and try it again. You could also fill a big hole in steel using aluminum as a backer which may be a neat trick to show in the channel.

Should also get the tig hardware so you can do some tig brazing and actually make a joint. Maybe that is video 3, lets ring this chamois for all it's worth.

Thanks! Yeah, so I just put a deposit on a milling machine today, will be a little bit before I pick up any argon but I'm certainly game to try all those things :)

 

[gt1guy]

explosive welding too

yep. That's how they get the bi-metal used for the main decks of certain Navy boats. Main deck down is steel, main deck up is alum.

I used to have a big chunk of it from when I worked in the shipyards.

 

[Brad]

The cast aluminum clamp on my rigid chop saw wasn’t holding anymore. Turned up the welder and melted the steel wire into the aluminum and it held. Does that count? 😂