Aluminum braising rods?

[NY Twin Turbo]

Any of you guys use these things for light fabrication? Not structural, just some brackets, clamps and stuff?

What about fixing a leak in an intercooler or something?

 

[John Larkin]

Brazing doesn't have as much strength. Kind of like solder, it's ok but mostly for sealing. Braze sticks to the surface but welding pentrates and "melts" both pieces together creating a continuous piece versus a joined piece. It's like aluminum welding the two beer cans at the flea market. That's not structural unless you are making pop art.

I had a pinhole in my IC and a dab of JB Weld has worked fine forever. However it was a pinhole. And aluminum welding is tricky without experience. You can be going along fine and then it suddenly turns into a giant hole, ack!

 

[NY Twin Turbo]

Brazing doesn't have as much strength. Kind of like solder, it's ok but mostly for sealing. Braze sticks to the surface but welding pentrates and "melts" both pieces together creating a continuous piece versus a joined piece. It's like aluminum welding the two beer cans at the flea market. That's not structural unless you are making pop art.

I had a pinhole in my IC and a dab of JB Weld has worked fine forever. However it was a pinhole. And aluminum welding is tricky without experience. You can be going along fine and then it suddenly turns into a giant hole, ack!

Yes. I have a good understanding of welding and braising. However, what I'd like to know is if It can be done easily, consistently and with predictable results with minimal practice. I almost never mess up a copper pipe solder job. I think it took 10 minutes to learn when I was 16 years old. Before I go ahead and buy some rods, just wanted to know if it was worth it.

 

[Pronto]

I just got some from ebay. It has poweder flux that you coat the rod first with. You need to get enough heat into it. Should be fine for what your looking to do.

 

[charlief1]

Brazing rods do require flux, but the rods you're talking about are actually welding rods Joey. Do some searching on youtube and you'll be surprised how far they've come in the last 20 or so years. They can be used for structural welding as well as quick repairs. There are several types from the cheap ones you see at flee markets, to some that cost several dollars each. Do your research and I'm sure you'll find one that will do what you want.

 

[NY Twin Turbo]

Brazing rods do require flux, but the rods you're talking about are actually welding rods Joey. Do some searching on youtube and you'll be surprised how far they've come in the last 20 or so years. They can be used for structural welding as well as quick repairs. There are several types from the cheap ones you see at flee markets, to some that cost several dollars each. Do your research and I'm sure you'll find one that will do what you want.

That's kinda what I was doing on YouTube last night. I remember, back in the day, there was an infomercial on the stuff. But a buddy of mine tried it and said it worked like crap.

Then on YouTube I watched a couple of brain-dead morons do it. So I figured, it can't be that hard. That's why I asked.

Thanks for the info. I'll do a little more searching.