Aluminum catch cans

[dlong]

Aluminum catch cans for race cars, 4"x4"x6". Made for engine breathers and radiator catch/return tanks. Fitting attached based on the application.

[Doug Wright]

LOOKS GREAT! What gauge aluminum and what settings are you using. I want to make something like this. I have a 250 ex.

[dlong]

The cans are made of 12 (.080") or 14 (.063") aluminum. The heavier gauge for pressurized applications. Using:
- Everlast 250 EX
- Argon at 5.5lpm
- 3/32 2% lanthanated tungsten ground at 60 degrees with .050" diameter flat point
- Everlast water cooler
- CK200 torch with gas lens and #6 cup
- Max amps at 82
- Frequency at 150
- Balance at 20% DCEP (20% cleaning action)
- no pulse
- 2 seconds preflow
- 10 seconds post flow
- 3/32" 4013 filler rod

The sheet aluminum comes with a protective cover on one side. I leave the protective cover on while bending and trimming. Then peel off the protective cover and weld - no cleaning.

I weld one side seam at a time, 4". Start with pedal all the down, welding fairly slowly. Then as the piece absorbs heat, I start moving faster and start letting up on the pedal.

I use a welding finger heat shield so I can keep my torch hand on the work piece while welding- see WeldingTipsAndTricks.com.

I tried the torch switch, but could not control the effect the heat build up had on the weld bead width with travel speed alone.

You can use 1/16" filler if you want the weld beads smaller and flatter. The larger filler rod has a tendency to cool the puddle as you dip it into the puddle, making the ridges more pronounced.

Hope this helps.

[Doug Wright]

dlong : Thanks for the specs
I was thinking about a water cooled torch like weldcraft 20 ,How do you like the ck200 I built a cooler for my 250ex and it works so much better than before. I too use the Tig Finger,Thanks to jody!

[dlong]

I had used the Weld Craft 20 for years; I had a lot of consumables and gas lenses. The CK 200 was half the price of the Weld Craft and the consumables are interchangeable.