Electrolytic weld cleaning

[Hood]

It's fast, super fast. I can clean a 1 inch tube/base plate joint up in 10 seconds or so... and it won't dissolve a hole in your hand like pickling paste will

Ah ok that is pretty quick then. Might be worth looking in to

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

Hugh, I am interested in how long the brushes last for. I have never used carbon brushes, but seen them in action. They look pretty awsome, but the longevity of the brush (consumable) is always going to be a factor.

 

[HughF]

Hugh, I am interested in how long the brushes last for. I have never used carbon brushes, but seen them in action. They look pretty awsome, but the longevity of the brush (consumable) is always going to be a factor.

I’ll let you know Kev, but it might be a while before I wear this one out. I don’t do a lot of this stainless stuff...

The performance is certainly better than the pads in my opinion, and the brush was about 11 quid, so not too bad.

 

[Richard.]

How long did that take Hugh?
Looks like it is leaving a similar kind of matt finish that pickle would so I am wondering what the benefit over pickle would be?

If nothing else it’s no where near as harmful as pickling paste. That’s good enough reason for me. Might have to pick your brains Hugh on Saturday regarding this. I would revert away from pickle paste no question if I had this alternative

 

[Hood]

I thought an acid was still used?

 

[HughF]

I thought an acid was still used?

Dilute phosphoric - you could probably use coke/lemonade and it would work.

 

[HughF]

If nothing else it’s no where near as harmful as pickling paste. That’s good enough reason for me. Might have to pick your brains Hugh on Saturday regarding this. I would revert away from pickle paste no question if I had this alternative

Got a battery charger? I'll bring some liquid and the brush with me, I'll bring the trusight2 too...

 

[Hood]

Dilute phosphoric - you could probably use coke/lemonade and it would work.

Ah ok so fairly well diluted then.

 

[Richard.]

Got a battery charger? I'll bring some liquid and the brush with me, I'll bring the trusight2 too...

Nope no battery charger I’m afraid. It went with the bike and like the bike never got replaced

 

[HughF]

Nope no battery charger I’m afraid. It went with the bike and like the bike never got replaced

Better bring mine along and we can have a play, but I would expect your stainless welds to have marginal colour :P

 

[Richard.]

Better bring mine along and we can have a play, but I would expect your stainless welds to have marginal colour :P

Lol I better get some stainless cut.

 

[Shox Dr]

Hugh, I am interested in how long the brushes last for. I have never used carbon brushes, but seen them in action. They look pretty awsome, but the longevity of the brush (consumable) is always going to be a factor.

Hugh’s brush looks identical to the one I bought. Nothing more than a few carbon fibres crimped into a 6mm ferrule.
Very easily made.

 

[HughF]

Hugh’s brush looks identical to the one I bought. Nothing more than a few carbon fibres crimped into a 6mm ferrule.
Very easily made.

my time is far too valuable to bother trying to make one of those for 11 quid it cost... I wouldn't even know where to buy the carbon fibres from...

 

[tinker jim]

Could you use strands of carbon from carbon fibre matting.........twill

 

[anto44]

That looks like an awesome set up. I was looking on amazon for phosphoric acid and it seems to come in different strengths. Is there a particular type you need for this?

 

[HughF]

That looks like an awesome set up. I was looking on amazon for phosphoric acid and it seems to come in different strengths. Is there a particular type you need for this?

I liberated a 25l drum of 90% from work and mixed that with water at about 4:1 - it was very unscientific, a few inches in a jamjar topped up with water. I think it is a bit strong.

 

[Hood]

Hugh, if you get a chance could you possibly try an etch with this, would be interesting to see if it works for that.

 

[Richard.]

Hugh, if you get a chance could you possibly try an etch with this, would be interesting to see if it works for that.

I don’t think it etches like nitric acid would or your picking paste would on alu. I don’t know the exact science behind why but I think you need the neater acid solutions or for alu the sodium hydroxide.

 

[HughF]

Hugh, if you get a chance could you possibly try an etch with this, would be interesting to see if it works for that.

I'll try it, but I think sodium hydroxide is the preferred enchant for aluminium cuts

 

[Hood]

Yes it seems so but I was thinking maybe the electricity might help a bit, probably not but.....