welding Anodized alum pipe

[jcoldon]

Welding anodized aluminum
I have welded alum anodized and never cleaned
the process is simply a button on my tig torch
Full amps a puddle rod stop then next puddle rod and so on
This is the pipe welding process for anodized pipe

I use a sink wave 250 ac
All boat tops and towers are anodized either black silver or gold

The process works on all aluminum you will have to clean dirt and grease
Hope this helps

[journeyman]

just wondering how jcoldon accomplishes welding on anodized alum without removing anodized coating. In my experiences with anodized alum I've always seen higher quality finished product when removing anodizing. Doing something different?

[fun4now]

the anodizing is just like any other oxidation, if you have the power to blast threw it and float it out of the way you get a good weld. i have heard pulse can be used to help break up the anodizing but never tried it. just read about it on here.

[SignWave]

I recall way back when in the days of BMX riding, we would remove the anodizing from our bike parts with easy off oven cleaner. Spray it on, let it stand , wipe it off. the AL came out sorta luster and a buffing wheel made it quite glossy.

the active ingredient that made this all possible is sodium hydroxide ( NaOH ). its found in Drano, lye, oven cleaner, some outdoor cleaners and laundry additives...

[HMW]

Like fun4now, I think most tuna tower buiders do not remove it first. I read an article, I believe in Miller magazine, The guys there did not clean it off. I have done only 2 piece's and I removed it. It was for seats in a boat, so didnt take long. But it would take for ever on a whole tuna tower to remove all the anodize on each place it needed welding. If I find some more I'm going to try it.

[fun4now]

hey... are you calling me a tuna tower

LOL i just had to do it.