Is there a consensus on whether alu frames can be reliably repaired (and...yes...bodged) by welders?
If so can anyone recommend a welder & alu supplier in Edinburgh?
Bike Forum
[closed]
Aluminium welders
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Posted 1 year ago #
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there's a bloke down our way (Devon, so not much use to you) who does repairs on bike frames, and he rides one himself so he's confident it can be done.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have tried, and without doing the post weld heat treatment I believe the answer is no... UNLESS you make the weld massive/ugly adding extra material to compensate for the reduced weld material strength.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I know a good glue shop
The welding is not the issue [easy as any weld] it is the heat treating it afterwards. The heat[of the weld] weakens the metal making the welded area weaker than the rest of the bike heat treating neutralises this - no idea how /why tbh.
You may have luck finding somewhere that repairs cracked alloy wheels or works in aerospace as I have used
I owuld have no issue if done properly and heat treated as that is effectively what an alloy frame isPosted 1 year ago # -
Hmmm my bro is in automotive industry, maybe he can help.
He works at McLaren but knows **** all about the SBC project, wharra n008!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Find the right guy and it's no problem.
My brother got a somewhat special Cannondale frame from Mick Hannah that he'd been given to do road work on. (He'd broken it needless to say)
The seatstays and chainstays were about as thick as a Coke can. Cut off the rear dropouts and got track ends welded in by an aero welder. It was a very tidy job and it's been running solid ever since - 2 years ago.
This is in Oz, so no help with a contact, but I'd suggest looking for welders based at airports rather than down at the local blacksmith.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The heat essential heat treatment varies according to the material being welded so you need to exactly which type of alloy you're dealing with.
Or you could just not bother, what could go wrong?
Posted 1 year ago # -
Epi I knew you'd come up with the goods
Nick, I'm asking the question, no need to make an ass of u and me.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The welding is not the issue [easy as any weld]
most 'welders' who only use mig or stick would have no idea how to use tig, yes the welding is easy if you have the tig skills. not everyone who calls themselves a welder does.
but I'd suggest looking for welders based at airports rather than down at the local blacksmith.
yes or motorbike racing.
Posted 1 year ago # -
These guys are in Musselburgh near me:
http://www.bruntons.co.uk/About_us.htm
If they cant do it they may point you in the right direction...
HTH
Posted 1 year ago # -
Posted 1 year ago #
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This article shows the importance of knowing which type of aluminium you're dealing with:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6061_aluminium_alloyPosted 1 year ago # -
I'm amazed no one has asked what this is for.
You probably don't want to know
Posted 1 year ago # -
I would try one of the motorcycle fabricators such as Hariss
I think they will do oneoff jobs and they will know their stuff - but will not be cheap
https://www.harris-performance.com/website/acatalog/aboutus.htm
Posted 1 year ago # -
Cheers. It's gonna be awesome, my design, someone with a clue's fabrication, what could go wrong?
Posted 1 year ago # -
yes, i had some horizontal dropouts welded on to a specialized alu frame. never broke.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Mr smith I assume if you cannot weld TIG you dont have a TIG welder the point I was making is that it is the efect of the weld you need to be concerned about rather than the quality of the weld - ie the heat affect on alloy.
Obviously your point is correct but a little more technical than our bodge King required.Posted 1 year ago # -
not Edinburgh, but Tom Barker (Newcastle) is the only guy I'd trust to repair an Alu bike frame.
Posted 1 year ago # -
GEtting on a bit but I suppose the sonic screwdriver still works...
Posted 1 year ago # -
Mr smith I assume if you cannot weld TIG you dont have a TIG welder the point I was making is that it is the efect of the weld you need to be concerned about rather than the quality of the weld - ie the heat affect on alloy.
Obviously your point is correct but a little more technical than our bodge King required.owning a tig welder doesn't make you a tig welder
Posted 1 year ago # -
what grade of aluminium is it
Posted 1 year ago #
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