Yep, the stuff is handy, regardless of the cost. A TIG welder would enable
one to do equivalent, and likely better or more complex repairs.. but
comparing the cost (and maintenance) of a TIG welder (30 years ago when I
started using the rods, or today) can't come close to the cost of the rods
and some MAPP gas.

As far as I've seen, the rods don't need any special storage protection, and
old stuff works as well as new stuff, I generally just keep it in the
plastic tube it's sold in until needed. Different brands seem to work just
as well as others, IME.

Back when I was boating, I discovered numerous businesses built around prop
repair, and apparently they were making money because they'd been in
business for years (lots of river boating around here).

Many things just aren't worth the effort of repairing (cheap lawn chairs,
for example), but real value can be realized when recovering a damaged
expensive part.

--
WB
..........


wrote in message
...

Repaired the old Springbok Aluminum canoe several times with the alloy
rods, and made both canoe carrier for van rooftop and bike carrier for
trailer hitch using the stuff - no problems. Also used to repair
motorcycle engine side covers etc, and even repaired crankcase of lawn
mower engine where con-rod came out through.

I do also have aluminum solder, in wire form, which IS flux cored. I
wouldn't use it on anything large, but it is available - and it
apparently works. I have about 5 lbs of it - have not used it yet but
it was used by NCR (National Cash Register) in production at their
Waterloo Ontario plant = where I bought it at a surplus sale a number
of years back.