Doahh

Ok continuing from the other thread because it got old:

I'm ditching the weedeater engine and getting some form of chainsaw engine
Some Questions:
Where do I get alluminum in CA near LOOMIS? -Within 20 miles- (area code 916 zip code 95650) I have checked the local home depot but they don't sell aluminum x-x
With Chain Drive where can i find a 12:1 gear ratio?

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Try these:

http://local.sacramento.com/loomis,-...cators.zp.html

http://local.sacramento.com/mormon-i...pplies.zp.html

Meticulous Metal 3771 Bankhead Road Loomis CA (916) 652-9309
S & S Fabrication & Machine 6030 King Road Loomis CA (916) 652-9186
Walker Machine Company 3141 Swetzer Road Loomis CA (916) 652-4417

mbba2002

My Feedback: (10)

You can purchase Aluminum from MSC or ENCO or a recycle place and for sprockets and chain 25 pitch at a power transmission supply place. Martin sprockets. You will have to order most parts.

Doahh

Thanks KMOT

Mbbaj: What dimensions is your smallest truck

How hard is it to weld aluminum?
Is U$6 a good price for 3 feet of 3/8th an inch aluminum square tubing?
Instead of using aluminum tubing is it possible to use rebar?
--It's easier to bend

Soloratov

My Feedback: (1)

welding aluminum is quite tough. You need a TIG welder, and some good experience. Aluminum just melts very quickly if your not experienced with it. But to answer the question, yes you can weld it, but I would recommend finding someone who knows how. Rebar is very heavy steel, and rusts....very fast, so it would certainly not be a great idea.

mbba2002

My Feedback: (10)

.

Doahh

Is

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...ctId=565&R=565
and
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...=31687&R=31687
ther right things for welding aluminum?

gixxerrider

The easiest way to weld it would be with a mig welder, set up for aluminum 035" wire . you need to use 100% argon as welding aluminum must be very clean. Still it is not an easy task, will take some pratice. The heat/speed of the wire is key because it does melt fast.

mbba2002

My Feedback: (10)

that welder is for light repairs and is only brazing the material and the rods are for small repairs. You need a tig welder to do the best job. the aluminum tubing should be .060 wall thickness to hold up. anything less will bend on impact. If you want to weld a chassis use cromolly tubing.

Doahh

One says MIG welder the other says TIG

What is better then the other on each?

And for the MIg welder is this one good?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...73#productinfo

gixxerrider

TIG is the best way to go but very expensive equipment. Probably the cheapest setup you could get would be about $1000. I use a mig welder in our shop at work to weld aluminum and it does a good job. Chromolly tubing is also good probably easier to weld but again it takes practice. For me it is personal preference. Either one will work fine a lot depends on your frame design.

jimbo1890

Dooah IMO aluminium welding is best left for the experts unless you know an expert aluminium welder personally and can go to him for lots of help I would suggest you go for Chromolly and a MIG with gas as I don't like gasless and I can't get nearly as nice a weld with the gasless wire.

try to find someone who can use a mig to show you how to set it up and give you a few pointers and then it's practice, practice, practice.[>:][>:][>:]

It's not easy to make a weld both strong and neat but it's nice to boast that you made all the welds yourself

have fun

randyg-rcu

Check for a local scrapyard... two weeks ago, I got:
30 feet of #35 chain
8 feet of #35 dual chain
20 feet of #25 chain
30 feet of #40 chain
about 8 #25 sprockets
about 10 #35 sprockets
about 4 #35 dual sprockets
a worm-drive gear motor, some assorted bearings, etc. all items shiny and well-oiled.

Total cost: $7.50. $0.25/pound. */me absolutely loves the scrapayrd*

The one here sells most all sizes/shapes of aluminum for $1.25/lb... lots of sheet, channel, plate, box section, tube, angle,...

So if there's a scrapyard anywhere in the area, it might be well worth checking out!


As to welding, a POS MIG welder can be gotten for about $250... use mig with pure argon as someone else said; flux welding makes a mess. Grab some scraps, and start with the wire speed high, then turn it down until you get the right melt rate. Take the first thing you weld, and hit the joint with a 20lb sledge hammer. When you can do this without it cracking, you've mastered welding aluminum.


--Randy