Soldering aluminum channel

[standerson]

Anyone attempted it? I am making trim pieces for the 28Z out of 5/8" aluminum channel.

I will notch it where it bends and will need to fill in the gap. I've soldered and brazed in the past but never anything with aluminum.

Thanks.

[DavidEM]

Aluminum is very difficult to solder. It takes a special solder that is more like melting plastic than a filler metal. Better to weld it, but that is not for the novice.

David

[Beau388]

Originally Posted by standerson

Anyone attempted it? I am making trim pieces for the 28Z out of 5/8" aluminum channel.

I will notch it where it bends and will need to fill in the gap. I've soldered and brazed in the past but never anything with aluminum.

Thanks.

Very hard to solder aluminum because of aluminum's conductivity. . It is best to use a TIG torch or a spool gun with an A/C welder. It can be welded with a oxy-acetylene torch and low temperature melting solder but that takes a lot of practice and patience. They do sell aluminum solder rods meant to be used with a MAPP torch. You would have to heat the aluminum ends to about 350 F degrees to get a good bond with the pot metal solder.

[standerson]

Thanks for the info.

I'm going to sink some money into a MAPP torch and give it a whirl.

Beats the $200 plus dollars Thor wanted for 10' of trim.

Plus, I get to fool around with fire.

[Martian]

You could also try epoxy that will stick to aluminum. Easy and can be almost invisible after it is hard and sanded.

[standerson]

Originally Posted by Martian

You could also try epoxy that will stick to aluminum. Easy and can be almost invisible after it is hard and sanded.

Thanks!