Welding Tips and Tricks

I read in the "Bending Angle Iron" thread that 6061 does not bend well and that 6063 is better. Looking at one of our local supplier's websites, it doesn't appear that 6063 is available in sheets.

I am going to be making various things for my pontoon boat such as seat bases, a console, etc. What would be the best alloy for bending and welding? None of the material will be over 1/8 in thickness.

Thanks.

I use 6061-T6 for my scratch built CH701 aircraft.
A larger radius is required when you get into thicker sheets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li84afMbji0

If you can find a copy of "Aviation Mechanics Handbook",
it will help you in determining safe radius bends for different materials.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/12966140/Avia ... c-Handbook

I have plans for both the CH701 and CH750 STOL aircraft.
http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/index1.html
http://www.zenithair.com/stolch750/index.html

450dualsport wrote:I read in the "Bending Angle Iron" thread that 6061 does not bend well and that 6063 is better. Looking at one of our local supplier's websites, it doesn't appear that 6063 is available in sheets.

I am going to be making various things for my pontoon boat such as seat bases, a console, etc. What would be the best alloy for bending and welding? None of the material will be over 1/8 in thickness.

Thanks.

We typically use 5052. Good formability, weldability, and good corrosion resistance. It's widely used in the marine industry and I would not be surprised if the pontoons on your boat are indeed, 5052.

Thanks for the information guys. It was interesting watching those guys form those aircraft parts.

For welding 5052, what would be the best filler to use?

The following document suggests that 4043 is the most crack tolerant filler material.
http://www.asecoltd.com/userfiles/clipa ... 205052.pdf

450dualsport wrote:Thanks for the information guys. It was interesting watching those guys form those aircraft parts.
For welding 5052, what would be the best filler to use?

WerkSpace wrote:The following document suggests that 4043 is the most crack tolerant filler material.
http://www.asecoltd.com/userfiles/clipa ... 205052.pdf

Thanks for that. I have used 4043 on the pontoons and it seems to work well.

The following company provides me with excellent prices on aircraft aluminum.
http://www.samuel.com/en/Pages/default.aspx

WerkSpace wrote:The following company provides me with excellent prices on aircraft aluminum.
http://www.samuel.com/en/Pages/default.aspx

They do have good prices and I am going to try them next as they are not too far from me.