Fixing a cut in aluminum casting.

[Dutchman46]

This weekend, I went to a Garadge sale that aadvertised tools, and I ran into a Gil-Built 6 X 48 in belt sander. When I was a kid, I wanted one of these things real bad. Now, at 65 yrs old,I found it and bought it. I noticed that the belt hadrubbed the edge oof the aluminum base. My thought is to use som JB Weld after cleaning the area with a cleaner. The belt ground a groove about 2/3 of the way through the alluminum. Do You think that I will get enough strengh by repairing this way? I can tear it down and have it welded back up Give Me Your input. Thanks it return, The Dutchman

[Stytooner]

Are you sure it's aluminum and not Stainless? Seems to me that if there are parts in danger of being rubbed, they would be stainless steel instead. I don't remember any rub plates on the big sanders we had in cabinet shops.
Just the platen parts that went behind the belts. They were all SS.

Can you shoot a picture of it?

[Tom Slick]

I'd try to JB weld it first, if it doesn't work you haven't lost anything but some time and jb weld. Welding cast aluminum is tough at best and may warp it.

[Dutchman46]

Yes, I will get a picture, and it is aluminum. It is a kit built unit that You could buy years ago. no Stainles in it. The platten is some kind of hard surface like lamimet. Not sure if they had that back then.

[Dutchman46]

Sorry, I have a new computer with win 7. I will have to find out how to add My software to it/ SORRY no pics I do have pics. Not always What I want, You can see the cut as it moves around the pulley. I will try again to find a better software that will work with My camera.

[Black wallnut]

Sorry, I have a new computer with win 7. I will have to find out how to add My software to it/ SORRY no pics

I have the same problem now! Plug my camera in and get "no available driver"... first real complaint I have about windoz 7

[Dutchman46]

I have the same problem now! Plug my camera in and get "no available driver"... first real complaint I have about windoz 7

Now, I have another problem! The Co. that furished the software for My camera is no longer ln the camera bussiness, I am fighting with the XP software, and tring to twist a picture, of so.

[LinuxRandal]

HF, Northern tools, and your local welding supply shops, carry some aluminum rods that you use a propane torch to fix stuff. (sold at home shows for a LOT more) While not as strong as a weld, it is for fixing aluminum, and should be stronger then JB weld.

I've seen it under different brands (googling aluminum welding rods shows several)

Here is a video just to give you an idea what to look for:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWxYK3VFysw

[Dutchman46]

Thanks for the replies, I think the rod is neat. I don't think that it would work well in this application. The area to be repaired is mot uniform enought to try welding, unles Your a pro. I fear that I might blow out the aluminum where I am welding because it isnt thin . Areas are that are very close. There would be a lot of demo needed. The bearings, and most of unit woud need to be broke down. Years ago, when in the body bussiness, I worked with white metal, or pot metal when new parts wern't available. That was terrible. zand this looks like it would be the same. Thanks for the suggestion, and I may need to do it if the epoxy doesn't work. Thanks all, and I'll report.