Aluminum is tricky to work with particularly if you are inexperienced. Serious life affecting stuff should be left to the pros but sometimes one runs into a cracked cover, ornamental item etc that needs to be put together and pop rivets aren't the way to go.
Youtube shows a bunch of different products with different claims but all of the demos I see have the same limitations. The products sometimes say "Welding" but they are actually using a lowish temperature alloy which is brazing or soldering.
Typical problems are:
Overcoming the instant film that forms on bare aluminum.
Doing a vertical braze line.
The thermal conductivity of aluminum is such that you can't tack stuff with brazing rod
No colour change to give a hint of temperature.
The good part is that most of the products don't need expensive equipment, just a propane torch and a stainless steel brush.
FWIW it tried the Bernzomatic rods from Canadian Tire and they seemed to work OK but they were pricey at $4.99 for a pair, about a foot long each. OK for a small repair but I wouldn't want to be building an aluminum boat.
Also, almost all pieces of aluminum are alloys and each will have different weld / braze characteristics. One day you look good the next not because you scavanged different alloys for the project.
Has anyone tried any of the other brands of brazing rods?
Youtube shows a bunch of different products with different claims but all of the demos I see have the same limitations. The products sometimes say "Welding" but they are actually using a lowish temperature alloy which is brazing or soldering.
Typical problems are:
Overcoming the instant film that forms on bare aluminum.
Doing a vertical braze line.
The thermal conductivity of aluminum is such that you can't tack stuff with brazing rod
No colour change to give a hint of temperature.
The good part is that most of the products don't need expensive equipment, just a propane torch and a stainless steel brush.
FWIW it tried the Bernzomatic rods from Canadian Tire and they seemed to work OK but they were pricey at $4.99 for a pair, about a foot long each. OK for a small repair but I wouldn't want to be building an aluminum boat.
Also, almost all pieces of aluminum are alloys and each will have different weld / braze characteristics. One day you look good the next not because you scavanged different alloys for the project.
Has anyone tried any of the other brands of brazing rods?