Aluminum cutting and fabricaion

[Michael Diedrick]

Anyone interested in this job, or know someone who would like it? 

I'm looking to take maybe 12 aluminum pots and pans, like the attached photo (without the covers)

Cut them in 1/2 vertically, and weld aluminum backs on them to turn them into planters of which I will affix to a building, like the attached illustration.

They would also require a little drilling to let water out of the bottoms of them and to attach to a wall, and a clear coat of something to keep them from oxidizing.

Anyone interested?

[Jason Hilleshiem]

Will you provide the pots and pans?

-Jason H

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[Michael Diedrick]

Yep.

Michael

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[Jason Hilleshiem]

What is the timeline on this project?

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[Michael Diedrick]

Month or so.

Michael

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[Tom Gralewicz]

Have you considered stainless steel?  it will stay shiny longer and is easier to weld.

Tom'

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Tom Gralewicz
Miller Electronics Recycling
(414) 380-1716
www.deadcomputers.com

[Michael Diedrick]

Yeah, but the rest of the building is in aluminum trim, and these are architectural pieces for a catering company.

Michael

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[Tom Gralewicz]

I would expect it to be painted aluminum.  Unpainted and outdoors it will turn white and corrode in a few years.

Tom

[ironmonger]

2 thoughts
If you use the aluminium this might be a good candidate for an anodized finsh.
It's tougher without a spool gun, but using argon as shield gas you can mig weld aluminium.

It's tough without

Paul
WB9HCO
No trees were killed sending this message, but a tremendous number of electrons were terribly inconvienced...

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[Michael Diedrick]

I assumed there's be an epoxy or enamel that would prevent corrosion.  And it's aluminum, so the corrosion isn't that bad, is it?  The planters are mounted and able to be taken off and cleaned, but we do need to preserve the aluminum look.

Michael

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[ironmonger]

Anodizing can be clear

Paul
WB9HCO
No trees were killed sending this message, but a tremendous number of electrons were terribly inconvienced...

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[Have Blue]

To be more precise, all aluminum anodizing is clear - dying it afterwards is what gets you the colors.

You could also do a clear powdercoat (that on top of anodizing, and you'd have a very durable finish). 

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[Matt Wittmann]

Tig weld it.  The best look.

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[precisiontech]

maybe could you use stainless steel for its durability, but texture/pattern it with steel wool, pumice, rotary device, etc?
might not match aluminum perfectly, but would at least come close enough...?

[Brent Bublitz]

It would be easier to just use plex or acrylic on the back, since it's
getting mounted to a wall anyhow. Just put in brackets to connect it
all together and a weed-stop liner to keep the dirt out of the cracks.

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[Jason Hilleshiem]

I like Brents idea. Welding aluminum is tricky. I once spent a whole semester welding an aluminum seat to one of those razor scooters.

-Jason H

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