Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Gluing aluminum

In a message dated 3/8/2002 2:08:09 PM Pacific Standard Time,
bruce@... writes:

> glued and screw the frame together,

Just a note about securing aluminum. You can soft solder aluminum with
ordinary plumbers solder if you know how. The trick I learned long ago was
take some of your wire solder and grind some with your Dremel grinder. The
wheel bcomes loaded with solder of course. Then use that wheel to grind a
spot on the aluminum. Vola! the alum becomes "tinned" with solder. and you
can go ahead and solder things together. The secret is that solder will not
stick to aluminum oxide and aluminum exposed to air oxidises almost
instantly. By grinding with a solder loaded wheel the oxide is ground away,
the heat melts some of the solder and it sticks to the raw aluminum before
the oxide coat forms. I did not believe this till I tried it, but it does
work.

John Meacham
California High Desert
12 inch Atlas, Minimill, rusty file


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