How to Braze Aluminum Tubing

Brazing is a technique that requires quite a bit of skill to accomplish, but creates strong bonds that are not easily broken. Even large breaks in aluminum can be repaired using aluminum braze tubing. Brazing is a process where a metal filler is heated slightly above its melting point then spread along the joint, and protected with a flux material. The preparation for brazing takes a skilled hand and cannot be skipped over or else the weld will be weak.

• 1

  Rub the surface with rubbing alcohol using a wire brush to remove all dirt and grease.

• 2

  Clamp the aluminum rod you are fixing so that it doesn't move, leaving the area requiring the weld free.

• 3

  Start the flame on your torch so that you have a soft, blue flame with no orange or red coming from it. Heat the flux and coat the tip of your joint with flux. Heat the flux so that it begins flowing and slowly drip the flux onto the joint. Do small dabs of flux to prevent the aluminum tubing from heating up too much. Allow the flux to cool and set.

• 4

  Dip the aluminum tube into a tub of water to cool it.

• 5

  Sand the aluminum tube until the flux flakes away and is smooth.