Stick Welding Aluminium with a buzz box?

[bigegg]

I have a Clarke 190TE buzz box.
I fancy building myself a toolbox/step for the van.

I have just scored [1] a piece of aluminium checker plate, about 3ftx4ft, and about 1/8in thick (probably 3mm, but I haven't miked it)

Is it even worth me trying to weld it?
I'm guessing not, since the buzz box is AC, and I need DC.
Will AC not weld it? or just make a messy (but strong enough) weld?


If I bought a rectifier - such as this
would I be able to weld aluminium then? or would it still be a waste or time and effort to try?

I'll only be tacking then running 2inch beads, and nothing structural or decorative - although I do have a disabled ramp to make, which could pay for the rectifier if it would do a half-decent job.

Alternatively, I'll make the joints with riveted-on angle - I certainly can't run to a £1000 minimum for an AC TIG welder.


[1] £3 from an... erm... itinerant scrap collector. [2]

[2] Yes - I look in their pickup vans to see if there's anything I want

 

[madkayaker]

Aluminium can be stick welded with the right rods but its my understanding that it needs to be very thick and is an emergency repair job.

 

[shenion]

I suggest you look at this:

http://youtu.be/dIIp3f7xV8g

You would need a heavier rectifier anyway.

 

[PTvor]

Rivet it or pay someone to weld it, rather than mess about trying to arc weld aluminium with a makeshift DC welder, I'd say.

 

[wheresmejumper]

look out for a cheap high frequency box to convert your welder?
dr nik sold a few for very small money not too long ago

 

[wheresmejumper]

edit,sorry they seem to be dc only

 

[bigegg]

I will rivet it. I'm only playing with the idea cos I got this piece of checker plate.
Otherwise I wouldn't even consider using anything but mild steel.

 

[PTvor]

Have a look at this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIIp3f7xV8g

ChuckE2009 didn't manage very well with stick welding aluminium and he was using an inverter, not a buzz box with a rectifier.

The rods aren't cheap either.

Anyway, I don't think you'd be buying a few rods, welding your plate with no problems and job done.

 

[waddycall]

I decided to have a go at stick welding aluminium once. I couldn't even strike and maintain an arc with the lincoln rods I was using with my thermal arc inverter. I will never ever consider buying rods for stick welding aluminium again! Seeing as you're probably better at stick welding than me you may have more luck but I found it completely different to mild steel welding.