Aluminum to Steel???

[Benjo]

Brand new to the forum. I am working on a "innovative" project that will require me to weld an aluminum brake handle lever to my stainless steel coffee mug. See, when they made it over in China they thought the plastic handle would work out just fine. Broke right off. A guy like me needs things sturdy and built to last if you know what I mean. So does anyone on this forum have any advice on this--whether I should use a mig welder or tig??? Please advise.
Thx!

 

[dopplershift]

I think there was a thread on this a while ago... but for the life of me, I cant find it by searching! I think the answer was basically no, you cant. (without a hugely complicated, multi-step process).

Industrial epoxy might work with good prep.

...and welcome to the forum!

 

[Benjo]

i just did a google search and a guy did it using a millermatic 210 mig welder. so i guess it is possible but need to get more info on it.

 

[dopplershift]

Just found this clicky. (scroll down a tad, article 3)

Doesnt sound promising to me, but I could be wrong!

 

[malcolm]

Here's a previous thread about it (it's a form of brazing) http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=8747

The aluminium brazing materials (easyweld and the like) don't stick to stainless, so they aren't much use.

I'd go for a mechanical fix or glue.

 

[madkayaker]

might MIG braze but two pack metal glue sounds best idea

 

[irondarren]

Not sure if mig braze might be to hot on the aluminium, i was thinking silver solder. But im sure techincalAl will tell you why silver solder wont work

 

[madkayaker]

hes the boy on these technical questions

 

[aero]

You'd be much better off gluing it. Like the wings on a plane theses days.


http://www.avcorp.com/metal-bonding.asp

 

[TechnicAl]

Glue it
Screw it
or better still
get a stainless handle or an Ally mug

its possible to weld but not worth messing about for a mug of tea.

 

[dopplershift]

....ok, but for interest's sake (and because I'm bored at work!) how would you do it if you wanted to weld it?

Or is it only through laser, rf, electron beam, ultrasonic or explosive welding etc that this can be done? Not ever mig, tig, stick etc?