Laser Aluminium Repair...

[davidwheeler]

Is this the answer to a Lambda block's prayer?   The video looks very impressive and I wonder if anyone has had any experience with it.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/aluminium-repair-starter-kit/path/body-repair-kits
David

[williamcorke]

Amazing demonstration video.  

I've got an early Alfa 750 block that is U/S with a head stud turning - looks like this technology could be a much cheaper, easier (more at-home) way to fix the problem than a full strip down and machining / heli-coiling at a shop.  Might give that a go.  Looks like it could take the tension of a head bolt, and if it won't I've only wasted £25 and the cost of a head gasket.

[thecolonel]

I bought the kit from Frost, read the small print you have to heat the item to be repaired
and you certainly can't get enough heat into anything bulky with a blowtorch.

I gave it up as a bad job, after several rather futile attempts

Geoff

[williamcorke]

Would you call an engine block bulky?

Shame.  If it sounds too good to be true...

[fay66]

Would you call an engine block bulky?

Shame.  If it sounds too good to be true...

I'm sure it wasn't being sold by Laser when I saw an actual demonstration at the Silverstone Classic Car Day 2 years ago, doing exactly some of what was shown in the video, including repairing threads in aluminum using only a blow torch, somewhere I have the spec sheet for this product and it has a low melting point for use with the  blowlamp, but it was as strong as shown once repaired.
I think it was a couple of Germans who were selling it at the time, and there were a lot of mightly impressed people.
I'll have a look and see if I can find the spec sheet.

Brian
8227

[davidwheeler]

Further research.  A pdf is available at        http://www.lasertools.co.uk/news/pdf/4707_PIS.pdf     The melting point of aluminium is 660C so the block would need to be heated to 400C.   I guess you could do this with an oxyacetylene flame but it would be safer to find someone with a big oven.  The demo is on a small block not something the size of a Lambda and I would be very nervous of melting the block itself.  I will have words with my local wizards and report back.

[DavidLaver]

I saw the coke can demo at a model engineering show.  As quick and easy as in the video - if you ever needed to repair a coke can 

David