The Steel Guitar Forum Store 

Post new topic Fabricating An Aluminum Cabinet For Pedal Steel
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Fabricating An Aluminum Cabinet For Pedal Steel
Brian Henry

 

Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 2:38 am    
Reply with quote

Could this process be used to fabricate an aluminum cabinet for a pedal steel guitar?

http://www.aluminumrepair.com/video_new.asp

http://www.instructables.com/id/Quick-and-easy-brazing-aluminum-copper-and-nonfer/
_________________
LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN GEORGIA
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bent Romnes


From:
London,Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 6:21 am    
Reply with quote

Brian, the weld repair material looks very strong. There is always the potential of warping when heat from the braze/weld hits the cold aluminum. I wonder if time does anything to it?
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Gary Patterson


From:
Gallatin, TN
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 8:19 am    
Reply with quote

I had a brief exposure to a product line similar to this. http://www.8020.net/ There are at least half a dozen competitors. I always thought it would be a good basis for building a high-tech steel guitar, but never got around to designing it. Anybody else ever try this?
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Glenn Uhler

 

From:
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 10:23 am     Welding Aluminum Without Warping
Reply with quote

Had this prototype welded up about 40 years ago, and learned a little about the process. Just knew some very good professional welders back then.




Bent mentions the possibility of warping when the hot brazing arc hits the cold metal. The secret is not to weld on cold metal. Preheat the pieces to be welded to about 1/3 their melting temperature and then weld. Let the welded pieces cool down slowly, and they won't warp.
_________________
1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bent Romnes


From:
London,Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 11:52 am    
Reply with quote

Glenn, thanks for the tip. Now my only problem is to find a welder who has the facility for doing just that.
I bet it will cost me more than the $50 an hour I currently pay my welder
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Glenn Uhler

 

From:
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 12:19 pm     Welding hot metal!
Reply with quote

Bent,
Here' the rest of the tip: My most recent welder (now retired) had a big old laboratory hot plate about 2 feet square. He would jig up the pieces to be welded with some light clamps and turn the hot plate up to MAX! After abount an hour, everything was scorching hot and he would put on his insulated jacket and long heavy gloves and weld. When he waa done, he would turn off the hot plate and do something else for the rest of the day while it cooled.

I seem to remember some scientific surplus stores on the north side of Toronto that might haave some used hot plates like that, from my last visit.
_________________
1974 Marlen S-12 1968 Tele 1969 Martin D-35H
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail

Bent Romnes


From:
London,Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 5:41 pm    
Reply with quote

Glenn, I must say you're a well of information!
Thanks for your tips
_________________
BenRom Pedal Steel Guitars
https://www.facebook.com/groups/212050572323614/
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website

Elton Smith


From:
Texas, USA
Post  Posted 16 Oct 2011 5:46 pm    
Reply with quote

You guys ever heard of a water jet cutter?It cuts with water 60,000 psi and its a cold cut so no warp.Accurat in 10,000 inch and computer perfect.When we first got this thing up and running Joe took a sea sponge and cut the state of Texas out and layed it on my thumb nail.If yall need some info on this let me know.Stainless,aluminum, steel or mag plate . Don't matter it will cut it all to precision.
_________________
Gibson Les Paul
Reverend Avenger
Paul Reed Smith
Fender Telecaster
MSA S10 Classic
ShoBud
Old Peavy Amps
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail


All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  

Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction,
steel guitars & accessories

www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

Please review our Forum Rules and Policies

Steel Guitar Forum LLC
PO Box 237
Mount Horeb, WI 53572 USA


Click Here to Send a Donation

Email admin@steelguitarforum.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for
Band-in-a-Box

by Jim Baron
HTTP