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Buell Forum » Knowledge Vault (tech, parts, apparel, & accessories topics) » Do It Yourself: Machine Shop, Garage, Tools and Tips » Welding cast aluminum or magnesium « Previous Next »

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Reepicheep
Posted on Friday, July 01, 2016 - 12:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm helping a friend restore an old 911 convertible, and there is a part for the convertible top that is broken. It is about a 3" x 1.5" x 24" complicated casting. Looks like aluminum, but this is a 911, so it could be magnesium or something else crazy.

We can source the part from Porsche, but it's crazy expensive.

So how practical is it to weld aluminum castings? Is it even possible if it is cast magnesium? Is it a matter of expertise and equipment for it to be reliable, or is it just not possible, or always pot luck?

I'd start with a guess that you need to do it with TIG, you would need to preheat the whole casting pretty hot before even starting, and that you would need an ash bed (of ash ashes ; ) )or something like it to let it cool as slowly as possible when you are done.

And then I wonder if you would have to figure out some kind of heat treating process after the weld cools to get the part back up to strength.

Any guru's want to share knowledge?
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Kenny_gilgore
Posted on Friday, July 01, 2016 - 12:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Reep,

You need to find a professional welder.

He can tell you within a couple of minutes if your part can be welded.

You can be certain that an amateur will probably melt the casting.

Kenny G
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