Making a custom alumminum tuber

[losikid]

I have a few questions, i want to build a alumminum tuber, i was recommended to silver solder everything, but i know they make stuff to weld alluminum, so what should i do there, also should i cut out all the links individually or bend as much as i can,

[PEDEcrawlerguy]

Silver solder wont work with aluminum... There is a product called Durafix ( or something like that)... It uses aluminum rods, and you use a MAPP torch to braze with it. For your other question, If you have a way to bend the rod( whether it be a vice, bender, hands.. whatever you can find) I would bend as much as you can... it gives the chassis a more realistic look.

[losikid]

that durafix looks like it might work, does anyone have any experiences with it

[losikid]

i looked around and heard to use zinc flux and zinc solder, and it sticks to aluminum would this hold it together with a strong bond, or is the durafix still the best solution

[rmdesignworks]

www.alumiweld.com

[Waldo76]

The alumiweld stuff is what I have seen at Harbor feight. Going to pick some up and try it out. I will let everyone know.

[orange-appeal]

I've welded Alum for years, but how do you bend alum without it stressing and ripping on the outside of the bend ? Like in tight bends of say the stinger or shock hoops ?

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by orange-appeal

I've welded Alum for years, but how do you bend alum without it stressing and ripping on the outside of the bend ? Like in tight bends of say the stinger or shock hoops ?

I bent mine with my hands and vise. Some bends like for the stinger I used different fixtures, but if you are careful it's not too difficult. Mine is made with 6061 1/4" solid rod so that helps too:

[losikid]

Originally Posted by orange-appeal

I've welded Alum for years, but how do you bend alum without it stressing and ripping on the outside of the bend ? Like in tight bends of say the stinger or shock hoops ?

i've never done it but i figured to try it in a vise or maybe apply some heat then bend it, what have you been welding alum with

Also anyone know about how much material it would take to make one would it be more than 6 feet

[WolverineX]

Hard to say how much you need, you'll have to allow for mistakes and how detailed your Tuber is. 6 feet would be a good guess...I guess!

[orange-appeal]

Originally Posted by losikid

what have you been welding alum with

MIG and TIG.......... not working now but I have my own TIG welder..

[WolverineX]

TIG is best, but have a look on YouTube for Durafix. Ive built a few tube chassis with it using Mapp gas. Tricky but once you get the hang of it...it's good stuff.
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...q=1&oq=DURAFIX

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by losikid

i've never done it but i figured to try it in a vise or maybe apply some heat then bend it, what have you been welding alum with

Also anyone know about how much material it would take to make one would it be more than 6 feet

I didn't use heat to bend mine......don't think you really need to. As far as the amount needed, it really depends on how big you build, and how many rods you want. Mine is a fairly large chassis with 2.2 Outcroppers, and I used over 6'. There was a lot used to experiment, and of course the mistakes, but aluminum rod is cheap...check out onlinemetals.com.

Here's a size picture to give you an idea of how much material I used.

[orange-appeal]

What alloy of alum are you using ?

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by orange-appeal

What alloy of alum are you using ?

6061-T6 Solid 1/4". That's why I can get the tight bends that I do. It's easy to work with, and it's strong. Also mills, drills and taps nice but if you are welding that wouldn't matter.

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showp...&postcount=106

[orange-appeal]

How heavy do they end up ? Would the heavy walled tube work ? Say 1/4" O.D. by 1/8" I.D. ?

Thank you for this info, I will be ordering up 20' of it right after Christmas...

P.S. I just looked and my alum filler rod is 4043

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by orange-appeal

How heavy do they end up ? Would the heavy walled tube work ? Say 1/4" O.D. by 1/8" I.D. ?

Thank you for this info, I will be ordering up 20' of it right after Christmas...

P.S. I just looked and my alum filler rod is 4043

Not really sure to tell the truth......the truck in that picture is pretty heavy as it sits with axles, tires and rims.....probably about 7 pounds....and I still have electronics and interior to put in. I never weighed just the chassis before. As a scaler, I'm not too worried about weight, but I do think about it.

.

[the DMG]

if your want tighter bends with 6061 T6,
heat it up first then bend it.
works every time & i getting some super tight bends that way.

the DmG
custom Alum tube chassis

[orange-appeal]

I have a Pro-Line Nylon tuber.......... LOVE it as it keeps the weight low. But I LOVE a metal as its more realistic, a rig needs some weight to it to make it act a little more realistic ya know... I'm no comp guy, or even a "rockcrawler" but a do it all trail rig.

8lbs total isnt so bad.... gear it down and volt it up !

Again thank you for the info..

[C*H*U*D]

Originally Posted by orange-appeal

How heavy do they end up ? Would the heavy walled tube work ? Say 1/4" O.D. by 1/8" I.D. ?

Thank you for this info, I will be ordering up 20' of it right after Christmas...

P.S. I just looked and my alum filler rod is 4043

I stripped this down tonight, because it's going to work with me tomorrow. I tossed it onto the scale and as it sits in the picture, it's just a bit over 1 pound, 13 ounces:




.