JB Weld vs Aluminum

Part 26 where we take 2 pieces of 1/8 thickness aluminum bar stock and join them edge to edge. This is a total success. JB Weld is an excellent way to join bar stock even where it is weak. We aren't testing to see if we can break it, rather we are testing to see if we can use it. The result is yes it works even better than expected.

[@DavidGalan777]

10 thumbs up for answering the question up front ! I watched it all anyway. Thanks !

[@elite194]

I also did heat curing with a big light bulb in a cheap reflector and that is totally real!

[@ryant9418]

Me too

[@B1NT1]

Thanks so much for the heads up in the first few minutes! My question was answered then, but I thought I could learn more, thanks again!

[@elite194]

I've experimented with many different setups since this and every one of them comes down to having a fan somewhere close by blowing on low. That is the number 1 factor to get the super high strength. 2nd is using a light bulb in a cheap reflector is just the right amount of heat to keep away humidity!

[@queens.dee.223]

I found you looking for JB Weld on aluminum and realized you were a model railroader! Cool!

[@elite194]

In my builds in the last few months I used a lot of JB Weld and learned a lot about it, especially how very high humidity can cause it to not cure properly. Once I made that connection, then I got even stronger bonds. During the worst of the humidity I used PC11 which is an epoxy that will cure under water. It's really good stuff, not quite as strong as JB Weld, but close enough for model trains!

[@queens.dee.223]

Thank you for the advice! And you have quite the library of videos!

[@JeffChoppah]

thank you, was looking for this before purchasing this to bond 2024 sheet to 7075 block...

[@elite194]

I also tested heat curing with a work light and it helps a lot to ward off excess humidity that will ruin a bond. A fan and a work light pretty much guarantees success!

[@terencethomas281]

Cheers, great video!

[@elite194]

yuup JB Weld is totally real vs aluminum and I use mostly aluminum for metal parts fabrication!

[@newtwitchclipper]

i have a 2000 sonoma w a stripped caliper guide pin bolt and i was thinking of jb welding a nut to the top but think its just gonna snap off too

[@elite194]

try it first! JB Weld is supposed to be more than 4k pounds of force to break it. give it 24 hours to cure and have a fan blowing on low nearby to cut down the humidity. I like to put a barn bulb in a cheap reflector light that emits just a of heat and that cuts humidity a lot. If you do all that, it will hold. if not, then you must fabricate a totally new one and resist the urge to just bur it!

[@benjaminpackard5491]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this. What is the exact JB weld product name/number you used?

[@elite194]

it was 2 part epoxy I got at the hardware store! it's the one that has individual tubes - not the one that uses a plunger!

[@michaelr9510]

Hi! great video. How did you rough up the aluminum?

[@elite194]

I used a mill file before joining them and then a fly cutter after curing yo clean it all up

[@martythornton604]

Sounds like you have an ultrasonic cleaner.

[@elite194]

that's correct and you often hear it!