Why we don't fix stuff

[Bill G]

I guess you've never cooked up any meth, Bill.........................

You are 100% correct sir. I am sure meth making is another one of the many areas you are an expert in and I do not care to learn anything about it. Carry on, carry on

 

[northmanlogging]

Actually, you are not welding aluminum when you use a torch on aluminum. The rods made for that type of "weld" are not aluminum, they are an alloy that has a lower melting point (& strength) than aluminum. So you aren't really welding, you are brazing the aluminum.

Welding is the union of similar metals by melting them with heat.
Brazing is the union of dissimilar metals by melting the one with the lowest temperature.
Soldering is just brazing with a lead or zinc filler material called solder.

Have you tried it?
Its not the typical aluminiumbrazing rod yer thinking of. you can use Tig type filler wire (can't think of the # at the mo) or the arc welding rod for aluminum, which does work better, but it is just like OA welding of steel, puddle of parent material and the whole works.
There is also a flux cored rod for aluminum but the arc rod honestly works better. I keep a pound of the arc type filler in the service truck, just in case.

And yes it does "look" like the brazing process, but the parent metal melts too, its aluminum though so it can be deceiving unless yer the one watching it happen, or you take the time to cut it open.

 

[Bill G]

Have you tried it?
Its not the typical aluminiumbrazing rod yer thinking of. you can use Tig type filler wire (can't think of the # at the mo) or the arc welding rod for aluminum, which does work better, but it is just like OA welding of steel, puddle of parent material and the whole works.
There is also a flux cored rod for aluminum but the arc rod honestly works better. I keep a pound of the arc type filler in the service truck, just in case.

And yes it does "look" like the brazing process, but the parent metal melts too, its aluminum though so it can be deceiving unless yer the one watching it happen, or you take the time to cut it open.

Most folks do not realize you can weld aluminum with a standard old Lincoln tombstone AC SMAW machine

 

[pdqdl]

Sorry to disagree, but you are mistaken. That rod melts before the metal it is joining. That is brazing.

The label on the product in your video says it all: "Flux coated aluminum joining alloy."
Even your video demonstrates that the rod is melting at a different temperature as the rod. Kindly notice the narrator says "Let it flow in..."

 

[Bill G]

Sorry to disagree, but you are mistaken. That rod melts before the metal it is joining. That is brazing.

The label on the product in your video says it all: "Flux coated aluminum joining alloy."
Even your video demonstrates that the rod is melting at a different temperature as the rod. Kindly notice the narrator says "Let it flow in..."

You ever used a SMAW machine on aluminum?

 

[pdqdl]

Go lay a acetylene tank down and then shock it. Go put a acetylene tank in a manifold system running 10 torches and then shock it....

What are you calling "shock it" ?

Drop the cylinder, heat it with a hammer, shoot it with a rifle, perhaps some TNT?​

One thing is certain: the tank is not going to be any more inclined to blow up or otherwise be unsafe just because you have 10 torches running off it. Acetylene is far more explosive, and sensitive to shock loading. I found this regarding the relative safety of acetylene & propane:

​

Acetylene Tanks:​

1. Acetylene is a highly flammable gas and can ignite easily when it comes into contact with an ignition source.
2. Acetylene is also unstable at high pressures. When compressed above 15 psi (pounds per square inch), it becomes shock-sensitive and can undergo decomposition or explode if not handled properly.
3. Acetylene cylinders are porous and filled with a specific solvent to keep the gas stable and prevent the decomposition reaction. This solvent makes the gas cylinder more susceptible to damage if mishandled or dropped.
4. Acetylene cylinders require specific handling and storage procedures to maintain safety, and they should always be used in an upright position.

Propane Tanks:​

1. Propane is also a flammable gas, but it is generally considered to be less reactive and hazardous than acetylene.
2. Propane is stable at high pressures and does not have the same decomposition issues that acetylene does.
3. Propane cylinders are generally more robust and less prone to damage compared to acetylene cylinders.
4. Propane is stored as a liquid in the cylinder, and it vaporizes when released, which can create a flammable vapor cloud in case of a leak.

​

 

[pdqdl]

You ever used a SMAW machine on aluminum?

Nope, but I don't often work with aluminum, either. I'll confess, that looks pretty easy in the video.

I found it to be rather challenging with my MIG. It was always a juggling act to balance bubbling wire aluminum wire onto the top or pouring it into the aluminum and creating giant bubbles beneath where I was welding. Or just having altogether too much heat and having the whole thing go blob onto the ground. Getting aluminum repair areas clean enough for the MIG didn't seem to work for me.

I also noticed that "Aluminator" is an MG welding product. My favorite rod of all is MG 600. That stuff is magical, and can weld almost anything to anything else, aluminum, zinc, copper, and brass excepted. It's unbelievably strong and easy to weld with, too.

So I'm inclined to think their aluminum rods are probably pretty good too. I'll bet they are not cheap, either.

 

[Mad Professor]

Got a hood? Will do chemistry!

I've never understood why all the meth labs keep blowing up their houses. It's not like an exhaust fan is hard to use.

View attachment 1102593

Question to the Prof: why didn't you write COCl2?

So., ever worked with it ? Or just being a piss ant? I think the later

I used phosgene, legally, for organic synthesis. Published the works in :JAC. JOCS. Tet, Ang Chem Int Ed, ....

Phosgene , To make chlorofomates from alcohols. You even know what those are, or used for?

You???

 

[Bill G]

What are you calling "shock it" ?

Drop the cylinder, heat it with a hammer, shoot it with a rifle, perhaps some TNT?​

One thing is certain: the tank is not going to be any more inclined to blow up or otherwise be unsafe just because you have 10 torches running off it. Acetylene is far more explosive, and sensitive to shock loading. I found this regarding the relative safety of acetylene & propane:

​

Acetylene Tanks:​

1. Acetylene is a highly flammable gas and can ignite easily when it comes into contact with an ignition source.
2. Acetylene is also unstable at high pressures. When compressed above 15 psi (pounds per square inch), it becomes shock-sensitive and can undergo decomposition or explode if not handled properly.
3. Acetylene cylinders are porous and filled with a specific solvent to keep the gas stable and prevent the decomposition reaction. This solvent makes the gas cylinder more susceptible to damage if mishandled or dropped.
4. Acetylene cylinders require specific handling and storage procedures to maintain safety, and they should always be used in an upright position.

Propane Tanks:​

1. Propane is also a flammable gas, but it is generally considered to be less reactive and hazardous than acetylene.
2. Propane is stable at high pressures and does not have the same decomposition issues that acetylene does.
3. Propane cylinders are generally more robust and less prone to damage compared to acetylene cylinders.
4. Propane is stored as a liquid in the cylinder, and it vaporizes when released, which can create a flammable vapor cloud in case of a leak.

​

You might want to do some more research on the statements you made that I bolded for you.

First I am not sure how you "heat" anything with a hammer. You are an expert and I would welcome an explanation on that

Second if you think running 10 torches on a manifold is safe I implore you sir to do some actual research. Now I will clarify and simplify as I am referencing a single cylinder

 

[Bill G]

Nope, but I don't often work with aluminum, either. I'll confess, that looks pretty easy in the video.

I found it to be rather challenging with my MIG. It was always a juggling act to balance bubbling wire aluminum wire onto the top or pouring it into the aluminum and creating giant bubbles beneath where I was welding. Or just having altogether too much heat and having the whole thing go blob onto the ground. Getting aluminum repair areas clean enough for the MIG didn't seem to work for me.

I also noticed that "Aluminator" is an MG welding product. My favorite rod of all is MG 600. That stuff is magical, and can weld almost anything to anything else, aluminum, zinc, copper, and brass excepted. It's unbelievably strong and easy to weld with, too.

So I'm inclined to think their aluminum rods are probably pretty good too. I'll bet they are not cheap, either.

Quality welds are not magic, they are produced by skilled men and women and many times those skilled do it on inferior equipment. I can show you aluminum welds done with SMAW that held solid in a high stress area

 

[pdqdl]

You have obviously never used MG600.

I'm not that good a welder, and I have done things with that rod that others would say was impossible. In fact, set me up with what you would call an impossible weld, excluding anything that wasn't ferrous. Stainless, cast iron, mild or high carbon... any scenario you can dream up. And I'll tell you if I've done it with MG600.

 

[pdqdl]

First I am not sure how you "heat" anything with a hammer. You are an expert and I would welcome an explanation on that

No problem. That's a typographical error. I meant "hit" it with a hammer. Not sure how that happened, either.

 

[Bill G]

You have obviously never used MG600.

I'm not that good a welder, and I have done things with that rod that others would say was impossible. In fact, set me up with what you would call an impossible weld, excluding anything that wasn't ferrous. Stainless, cast iron, mild or high carbon... any scenario you can dream up. And I'll tell you if I've done it with MG600.

Correct I have not used MG600 and I have never seen any magic in any skilled trade.

Now for your second comment, ................

Ok. You demonstrated that you weren't paying attention. Let's not turn your mistake into yet another fight, ok?

Yes I was

I am as good at welding ox-acetylene as anyone I have met,

 

[Bill G]

No problem. That's a typographical error. I meant "hit" it with a hammer. Not sure how that happened, either.

Ok

 

[pdqdl]

Go lay a acetylene tank down and then shock it. Go put a acetylene tank in a manifold system running 10 torches and then shock it....

Second if you think running 10 torches on a manifold is safe I implore you sir to do some actual research. Now I will clarify and simplify as I am referencing a single cylinder

Here now. I was just quoting you. It was your scenario, and you have not yet explained how running 10 torches would make an acetylene tank any more dangerous.
Ineffective... Yes. Unsafe? Not unless you don't like your torches backfiring all the time from insufficient pressure.

So let's hear your story on that.

 

[pdqdl]

Correct I have not used MG600 and I have never seen any magic in any skilled trade.

Go buy a couple of sticks and save 'em for your toughest weld. Upside down, joining a broken piece of equipment that that everyone says cannot be fixed.

Then be amazed at how beautiful the rod pours into the crack, flowing right up to the edges without any seams, forming the most perfect little arcs across the weld. Let it cool for a couple minutes, and the slag pops off revealing this marvelous slightly blued stainless steel color. Then put that fracture repaired piece of metal back to work, and be shocked when it still hasn't re-broken, years after you did that temporary repair weld.




I'm telling you, it's magic.

Now quit arguing with me. If you haven't seen anything magical in any skilled trade, then you haven't been paying attention, or you've only been hanging out with your students that never learned anything you didn't teach them. I've seen LOTS of skilled tradesmen do things that were exactly as defined above.

 

[pdqdl]

So., ever worked with it ? Or just being a piss ant? I think the later

I used phosgene, legally, for organic synthesis. Published the works in :JAC. JOCS. Tet, Ang Chem Int Ed, ....

Phosgene , To make chlorofomates from alcohols. You even know what those are, or used for?

You???

Of course you were.

If you were not imagining me to be a piss ant, you would have recognized my comment as an acknowledgment that you were using the right equipment for a dangerous chemical. Yes, I know what all those things are. Just consider me an unqualified applicant for admission to an MS program, and you'll have me at the right educational level.

Now kindly show a little more respect, as I have offered no disrespect to you.

BTW: you never answered my question. I was really interested in the reason you chose that format.

 

[Mad Professor]

Of course you were.

If you were not imagining me to be a piss ant, you would have recognized my comment as an acknowledgment that you were using the right equipment for a dangerous chemical. Yes, I know what all those things are. Just consider me an unqualified applicant for admission to an MS program, and you'll have me at the right educational level.

Now kindly show a little more respect, as I have offered no disrespect to you.

BTW: you never answered my question. I was really interested in the reason you chose that format.

Piss ant, I taught at colleges and Uninversties.

YOU as admin just censored my prior response.

NOT ACCEPTABLE

 

[Bill G]

Go buy a couple of sticks and save 'em for your toughest weld. Upside down, joining a broken piece of equipment that that everyone says cannot be fixed.

Then be amazed at how beautiful the rod pours into the crack, flowing right up to the edges without any seams, forming the most perfect little arcs across the weld. Let it cool for a couple minutes, and the slag pops off revealing this marvelous slightly blued stainless steel color. Then put that fracture repaired piece of metal back to work, and be shocked when it still hasn't re-broken, years after you did that temporary repair weld.

View attachment 1102603


I'm telling you, it's magic.

Now quit arguing with me. If you haven't seen anything magical in any skilled trade, then you haven't been paying attention, or you've only been hanging out with your students that never learned anything you didn't teach them. I've seen LOTS of skilled tradesmen do things that were exactly as defined above.

No one is arguing with you. It is called disagreeing. Every time someone disagrees with you , you want to make it into an argument. Why is that?

 

[Bill G]

Here now. I was just quoting you. It was your scenario, and you have not yet explained how running 10 torches would make an acetylene tank any more dangerous.
Ineffective... Yes. Unsafe? Not unless you don't like your torches backfiring all the time from insufficient pressure.

So let's hear your story on that.

Fine sir, if you choose to research why you do not lay an acetylene tank on its side and you will find your answer.