Heat Treating Alu Frames After Diy Welding

[eep803]

Hi, I've seen this mentioned a few times when people talk about cracked frames, disc or HS33 mounts and wondered what the bottom line was?

I'm thinking of welding a disc mount onto a frame (alu), sorry trail not trials, I've got some mates who weld professionally but mainly stainless and more "chunky" alu items. They happy to do it but don't have an opinion on the need for heat treating. I may also do a few trials frames with cracks.

I know the principal of why frames need heat treating but does it really matter that much. Has anyone whos done some welding on their bikes had it snap in two on the first ride afterwards then impale the sharp end in their tender bit leaving them utterly disappointed at ever having tried in the first place?

Cheers, Skinny

[craigjames]

Its advisable, especially on a disc mount, but is also dependant on the alloy configuration itself. What series Alu is it?

[T.McMillan]

just weld it on you only live once!!

if you can heat the frame up before you weld it that'll help

[ogre]

add a gusset too

[liam-pantera]

should should be fine if you allow the aluminium to cool slowly , use tig welding but be careful if too much heat is put through the aluminium it will go white and very brittle .cleaning the frame before and after is very important use a wire brush and aceatone to clean the welds and good luck

[eep803]

I'm not sure what series Alu it is. Its an old Spesh FSR and its for a mate, hes using a cruddy clamp on disc bracket which is a pain as its constantly shifting and rubbing. At the moment it just annoys him, I dont want to rumble in and weld it only to have it break on his next trail ride and ruin his frame.

I fancied cleaning up the paint, mounting the disc/wheel, getting it lined up then tacking the whole bracket in place. Then whip out the wheel and do a full weld on it. My welder mate is top notch so I'm sure he can go easy and cool.

Many thanks for your replies, skinny