What's the deal with welding alloys?

[ben711200]

I have a problem..
There's tuck, and then there's this. It looks silly.


Thing is, I really like the design of the Virgos on there, and whilst there seem to be enough companies about who reckon they can repair cracks and misshapen alloys, and a couple businesses seem to have started banding them, details seem a bit shady.

What I've been thinking though, is to get some donor wheels to cut up and widen the existing wheels by using the outer rim. Only one weld then as well.

So what's the deal? Is it all a bit 'chopped springs', or is it actually a Bad Idea? Would you use one of the companies that reckons they can band alloys safely, approach the repair companies with an idea, or go and visit a few engineering firms?

[skinnylew]

the problem as i see it (I'm far from an expert on this, infact i maybe talking pish) is that alloys are a mix of metals and there could be casting imperfections meaning that welding will not give a solid connection/joint. There may even be air bubbles you inadvertantly open up.
Steel wheels are different due to the fact they are all steel and therefore a uniform structure/material.

just get some spacers on there

[Dez]

they will be a decnet quality forged ally, so good to work with. its cheap sh1t cast wheels using low grade of alloy that you cant weld/turn/etc. i think with 2 set of them chopped and spliced it would work.

didnt slater do it to some lazers as an experiment a while back?

I'm certianly gunna start playing with idea like this once my lathe gets here, as the gap bed should allow me to do such silly things!!

[Blown_Imp]

The only real issue I can see is that the metal will anneal with the heating / slow cooling, leadign to very soft wheels. The only way to stop this is post weld heat treatment, although this could lead to distortion.

I also suspect that those wheels are not forged, forged wheels are quite rare as it is a difficult process getting the metal to flow into the required deep draw shapes.

[kee]

what about converting them to split rims?
there was a thread a few days ago about this and somebody posted a company up that can do it to certain wheels.
may have even been mr B_I?

depends how deep your pockets go though i guess

[kee]

found the link

retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=75474

it was mr GTV that posted the company up. wide as you like and some very much unique wheels potentially

[Blown_Imp]

I would agree with kee, go for a two piece split rim. Machine the outer rim off and get a new wider outer bolted on.

[rangerbob]

Just thought I'd post the link, may come in useful
to someone, I've seen alloy banding but this guy
widens original alloys, have a look...

www.bigjimracing.co.uk/home.html

[Mystery Machine]

^^ Excellent ^^

Nice find Bob, but a shame about this bit: "all wheels are widened on the inside only" - if they could do it on the outside too I reckon they would be onto a real winner.

[rangerbob]

Totally Agree Mr.Mysterymachine...here's a couple more banded Alloys...

[stealthstylz]

Problem of welding two halves of wheels together is that getting tyres on will be an -ache. I'm not sure you'd be able to convert those to split rims. The dish is already quite deep so the new ones would be huge and expensive.

Matt

[ben711200]

Thanks guys. More research to do as ever, but it's good to know that it is at least feasible to make it happen

[cobblers]

These are 5x108 iirc?
What about some 5x108-4x108 adapters at about 15mm, then you have a world of ford/pug/citroen/hillman wheels to go at.