Weld it myself, or pay someone...

[MichiganMat]

I need to weld two AN-16 fittings onto my new RX-7 oil-cooler.

I just bought a new Lincoln 100HD Mig about two weeks ago, no gas.

So, the question is this: do I go down to HomeDespot and buy a $10 spool of wire for welding aluminum, or do I go and find a fabricator/welder who will weld these fittings on for me?

One guy I talked to wanted $50+ for the job. The other fab guy I would use here in the bay area is probably pretty pricey as well but it will be perfectly done (www.tcdesignfab.com).

Can I do a job like this on my own with just a Mig and the right wire? Im pretty competent with the steel welding I've been doing, but Alu is a whole different world. Any advice?

[cstreit]

You can't do aluminum without gas. Pure Argon is the way to go.

[Rot 911]

What Chris said and even then it takes some practice. I would pay to have it done.

[MichiganMat]

So I shouldn't even bother trying if I don't have a gas attachment?

[cstreit]

Lots of practice. Aluminum us tough, has to have the right wire, gas, be preheated properly, etc... I'd take ti somewhere for that fitting Mat.

[widebody911]

Not only do you need the gas setup with argon and Al wire, you also need teflon liner for your nozzle and different feed rollers.

Pay the money, save yourself the hassle. If you lived closer I'd say bring it by - I have a spool gun setup for welding Al.

[MichiganMat]

Dammit, thats a bummer. I tried a local shop but they wanted $85! No friggen way. Anyone have any suggestions about where I could take it?

[MichiganMat]

Yah, another welder I found on craigslist wants $75 to do it. This is too much to zap a weld around two AN fittings, isn't it? Maybe a body shop or muffler shop can do it?

The cooler and both fittings didn't cost that much!

[Steve F]

Try your local school's for welding courses and bring it and see if they can give it go

[Grezdlitn]

Ditto on the local school idea. A technical college or junior college may have a welding class and there are always some young hotshots that need a little practice for becoming certified welders.....or a instructor that wants to demonstrate his talents.
Has worked for me in the past!

[widebody911]

(cost of RX-7 cooler + $75) <=> (cost of Setrab/Mocal) cooler?

[VINMAN]

Welding something like that thin aluminum, I'd use a Tig setup. Unless you have a very low heat seeting on your Mig, youll burn right through it

[TerryH]

I worked with some master fabricators/pipe fitters/welders and they almost universally used helium when welding aluminum. Argon was used for most everything else.

[wrecktech]

Originally posted by VINMAN
Welding something like that thin aluminum, I'd use a Tig setup. Unless you have a very low heat seeting on your Mig, youll burn right through it

I agree with the above. I would definatly tig weld it.

[Tim Hancock]

I would do it for nothing if you lived closer! Get it perfectly clean with a new stainless steel wire brush then tig weld it.

[trekkor]

I had mine done here in Napa. They bead blasted the fitting and tig welded it up. $100 well spent. No leaks or damage to the parts.

the pros deserve your business.
Go to T.C.


KT

[juanbenae]

ship it to one of these guys mat, or will the $20 round trip kill you to?

[Hoots]

Swagelok fittings at http://www.swagelok.com

[MichiganMat]

Just like anyplace else, in any other business, its all about who you know. I called around last night and got a bunch of recommendations for welders in the area that won't charge an arm+leg. I figured I would just drop in on any joint with a welder and try to get a deal, but its just not going to happen like that. Such is life.

So far Im only about $50 deep for this cooler setup. Im going to notch the front valence and surround the opening with a rubber lip to force air into the cooler, I've got a 12x8 Setrab in the fender as well.

[juanbenae]

i had good luck with sunnyvale welding on evelyn between fair oaks and wolfe.