[thomschoon]

I need about a foot of 1/2 Aluminum rod, anybody have any idea where it can be found? I also need to get some Aluminum welding done, just tacking the rod into holes on brake calipers. I am going to freeze and install the rod with an intereference fit, swage the ends, and then mill them flat. The alternative is to weld the end to hold it in place. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks Thom

[William Miller]

Have you looked at Home Depot? They have a rack of aluminum shapes and if your lucky you might find what you're looking for.
I have a MIG, but haven't learned aluminum yet.
Good luck with your project!

[Trak Ratt]

Dixie metal in Falls Church is where I got my steel for my trailer tyre rack. They also do all types of welding, except cast iron 931 manifolds that is Dixie has a great source for odds and ends in their huge dumpster around back. But they have regular pickup so timing is everything.

[Vicegrip]

Please ask them first! Dixie will at times also let you get stock from the from the recycle bins in the shop too. (I just hit the guy with a cash tip) I hit it when I am helping pull something else from stock. I have been hitting Dixie for 25 years and don't want to loose out on a good thing.

Is someone is trying to fit S binders on a set of early 3 inch ears?

[thomschoon]

Originally Posted by Kurt Mickelwait

Is someone is trying to fit S binders on a set of early 3 inch ears?

993's on an SC, thanks for the suggestions

Thom

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Kurt Mickelwait

Please ask them first! Dixie will at times also let you get stock from the from the recycle bins in the shop too. (I just hit the guy with a cash tip)

Sorry, I also ask first The devil is in the details

[jpinkert]

I've also heard that motorcycle dealerships are a good source for scrap (the crates are metal and they just throw them out?). I'm going digging today to have some junk to play around with.

Had my first MIG lesson yesterday. Next one is tomorrow...fun fun!

[William Miller]

How's the welding going?
Where'd you get lessons?

[jpinkert]

A good friend of mine is what I would consider a metal craftsman. He's taken welding and metalworking courses at local colleges, read many books, practiced, apprenticed, restored cars (old Land Cruisers - FJ40s), etc. I spent a few days at his house, messing around with scrap of various sizes, understanding what's right and what's wrong. So he showed me the ropes of the MIG welder and now its just up to me to keep practicing in my own garage with my welder (he has some monster Miller MIG versus my junior Miller).

At some point, I think my first car project will be to reinforce my rear sway bar mounts. Once I can get through that, I'll start getting into metalworking techniques - dolley and hammer work. I hope to be able to attach some flares to the '72 eventually without Bondo...just nicely shaped metal.

Am I biting off too much? Maybe. This is probably at least a year away and will coincide with some kind of motor swap.

Anyone here have a TIG welder? That may be the next thing to acquire...except they're pricey.

[William Miller]

I did quite a bit from time to time with old (arc / stick) type welders.
Bought my mig last summer to replace some rusted sheet metal.
You'll find that in the beginning your grinder (cut off tool and /or dremmel for small stuff) will be your best freind. You will spend 3 minutes grinding for every 30 seconds of welding. As you figure things out it will be the opposite.

The hardest thing so far has been welding upside down. (Welding the sway bar reinforcement) Welding in my seat brackets was a joy after that!

Have you tried any aluminum yet?