OT Porsche should have used Aluminum Options

[Root_Werks]

Wait, wasn't the 928 essentially an aluminum body? Don't know about the full frame.

[mb911]

Wait, wasn't the 928 essentially an aluminum body? Don't know about the full frame.

Yes

[Unobtanium-inc]

Wait, wasn't the 928 essentially an aluminum body? Don't know about the full frame.

I always thought it was just the front fenders on the early ones, but I could be wrong. I don't know much about 928's and have never had one.

[Shivers]

Thank You. Do you pre-heat the aluminum like cast iron?

No. Not for sheet aluminum.

Thanks, What about something heavier? 1/4"

[Shivers]

I had read the unibody was steel, hood, fenders, doors were aluminum.

[mb911]

I had read the unibody was steel, hood, fenders, doors were aluminum.

Yes but basically the front half is aluminum. I have one in the garage at the moment.

[Superhawk996]

Thank You. Do you pre-heat the aluminum like cast iron?

No. Not for sheet aluminum.

Thanks, What about something heavier? 1/4"

I'll defer to @mb911 on aluminum stuff that thick. Out of my league. I've not tried to OxyAcetylene weld aluminum that thick. About the thickest I've done is about 3/16" aluminum and even then it was a small sized part that quickly heat saturates.

My gut says you'll have to V-notch that, preheat that, and probably need multiple passes. Aluminum transfers heat really well. As a result, it will take an awful lot of heat to get 100% penetration on 1/4" aluminum. I suspect TIG would have advantage here due to the precise concentration of heat vs. more distributed flame of OxyAcetylene.

[PCH]

When you're finished with your car, I'm happy to give that weld a test drive to make sure it works ok.

[mb911]

Thank You. Do you pre-heat the aluminum like cast iron?

No. Not for sheet aluminum.

Thanks, What about something heavier? 1/4"

I'll defer to @mb911 on aluminum stuff that thick. Out of my league. I've not tried to OxyAcetylene weld aluminum that thick. About the thickest I've done is about 3/16" aluminum and even then it was a small sized part that quickly heat saturates.

My gut says you'll have to V-notch that, preheat that, and probably need multiple passes. Aluminum transfers heat really well. As a result, it will take an awful lot of heat to get 100% penetration on 1/4" aluminum. I suspect TIG would have advantage here due to the precise concentration of heat vs. more distributed flame of OxyAcetylene.

You would typically weld 3/16" and up with TIG as an advantage. Usually using helium to help with heat via ionization but again I feel I have completely side tracked Adam's thread..

Let's see more 550 material. Super cool. Originally the 550 was oxy welded without doubt TIG did not go mainstream until the 70s.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Here are some shots of the fender off of 0054, which is rumored to may have been touched by James Dean. Double rumor, when he went to look at 0055, which he later bought, he test drove 0054. No idea if it's true, but a small piece of Dean may have been in the backseat of my truck!

Wray, who is helping me build the car, was amazed at how many different pieces they welded together for the 550. Of course, he came up working for his grandfather, restoring Duesenberg's so long big pieces shaped is nothing to him, but apparently at Wendler it was make lots of pieces and weld them up.

[carr914]

that weld looks like ass

With that attitude, there is a reason people don't like you.

I've got all the friends I need Thank You.

as for you

[Unobtanium-inc]

that weld looks like ass

With that attitude, there is a reason people don't like you.

I've got all the friends I need Thank You.

as for you

These are your words, not mine. But trust me, there was a reason....

[carr914]

oh there was a reason - it's called a Micro Managing Narcissist that has a revolving door of employees.

Good Try Stalker!

[Unobtanium-inc]

oh there was a reason - it's called a Micro Managing Narcissist that has a revolving door of employees.

Good Try Stalker!

So while in the midst of the biggest labor shortage in a Century, you got fired, that should give you pause.

As far as stalking, I've never posted on any thread you've started, I could care less what you do, but you on the other hand feel the need to insert you negative comments into every thread I do. So if there is a stalker, it's probably the un-employed angry guy, which in case you're keeping score, isn't me.

Seriously, go away, don't post where I post, you have nothing to contribute to my threads, so go yell at the TV or something, but leave me alone, stalker.

[rhodyguy]

Chill guys.

[930cabman]

Lets try to tone it down there boys, the sandbox is big enough for everyone.

Negativity has no place here or anywhere in this world. get some therapy if you need it

Btw, thanks for posting this thread, the boys making our 914's and their predecessor's had some real skills that are barely matched today. Oxy/Acty weld sheet aluminum!!

[Brett W]

Wray, who is helping me build the car, was amazed at how many different pieces they welded together for the 550. Of course, he came up working for his grandfather, restoring Duesenberg's so long big pieces shaped is nothing to him, but apparently at Wendler it was make lots of pieces and weld them up.

Wray has a ton of skills. I am looking forward to going up and working with him sometime. You are quite lucky to have him somewhat close by.

[Unobtanium-inc]

Wray, who is helping me build the car, was amazed at how many different pieces they welded together for the 550. Of course, he came up working for his grandfather, restoring Duesenberg's so long big pieces shaped is nothing to him, but apparently at Wendler it was make lots of pieces and weld them up.

Wray has a ton of skills. I am looking forward to going up and working with him sometime. You are quite lucky to have him somewhat close by.

We have a pretty good rhythm, I work on a panel for 3 days, he looks at it, smashes it up, fixes it in 15 minutes and we go from there. When it comes to metal I don't think there is anything he can't do.

[MM1]

Thank you for posting such rare treats as the patch layout on the inside of a 550 front fender!

It is interesting to compare and contrast the 3d requirements of patch layout in aluminum (real 3d) vs nurbs surfaces (virtual 3d that can be milled - using poly-lines by the way - remember area under a curve?).

It only takes one trip to the Monterey Historic Races (yes, I’ll continue to use that name) or a trip to a Porsche museum to see that the welds on the tube frames of 917s and early race cars is some of the worst welding you’ve ever seen in your life . . it looks like many of these were rapidly welded in the pits at Le Mans. I think it just gives the cars and their period a certain character, since as far as we know it didn’t affect the racing history.

I have tried to gas weld aluminum sheet only over the course of a few hours at work after trying out an english wheel. . .like all great skills, it ain’t easy fellas. My hat is always off to the Master welders - I’ll never be one, but I am pleased to see this 550 loved in any capacity.

As far as wall art is concerned - that 356 body has to be one of the best . . .please keep the 550 (and other interesting) pics flowing.

[MM1]

May I make a humble suggestion?

I believe that due to the picture content alone this could be a classic thread. I know if aluminum welding and patch layout ever comes up I’ll be searching for this thread to share with friends. It would be great if I didn’t have to tell them to skip the nasty parts.

All that would be required to make it the best it can be, would be to edit out the personal back-and-forth . . . and then delete this post too so we can get on with enjoying the things that we all love.

Please, feel free to tell me to f*!k off and leave things the way they are now. . .lol (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)