Annealing Aluminum with a Blowtorch

**SculptyWorks** · Nov 25, 2019, 10:27 PM

Not sure if this is the right place for this video, but it has tools and talking in it...

This is actually one of the first video ideas I had back in the day, but only now got around doing it!

**Frank S** · Nov 26, 2019, 03:17 AM

At what temperature does the sharpie mark disappear?

**SculptyWorks** · Nov 26, 2019, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Frank S

At what temperature does the sharpie mark disappear?

Unfortunately I have no idea! I don't have the equipment to measure that.

**Frank S** · Nov 26, 2019, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by SculptyWorks

Unfortunately I have no idea! I don't have the equipment to measure that.

Ok thanks, I have a digital laser temperature gun and someday will have to experiment

**jdurand** · Nov 26, 2019, 05:17 PM

I found the simplest way to get soft, mushy aluminum is to buy "structural" aluminum at Home Depot.

**SculptyWorks** · Nov 26, 2019, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by Frank S

Ok thanks, I have a digital laser temperature gun and someday will have to experiment

Keep us posted!

Originally Posted by jdurand

I found the simplest way to get soft, mushy aluminum is to buy "structural" aluminum at Home Depot.

Yes, I have used their aluminum rods many many times!

**Shelly142** · Nov 26, 2019, 06:39 PM

You might try a product called Tempil. It's a crayon type marker applied to the object your are heating. The tempilstik is manufactured in many different temperatures. You would need to know what the minimum range and the maximum range to achieve your anneal process. It might even differ depending on the aluminum alloy used.

**stillldoinit** · Dec 1, 2019, 07:07 PM

I have annealed with oxy/acety torch. Light torch with rich acty so as to coat the area to soften with carbon soot, then change to neutral flame and heat just enough to burn off carbon. Always worked for me on sheet aluminum.

**stillldoinit** · Dec 1, 2019, 07:11 PM

For doing chase reposse' on copper the sheets work harden, just heat to red and go back to beating until work harden until you are satisfied with your project.

**Jughead** · Dec 1, 2019, 11:28 PM

I have always used soap. Simply wet a bar of soap and rub the area you wish to anneal, making sure to leave a thin layer of soap on the surface. Now heat the aluminium from the other side (not the soaped side). Once the soap layer turns black, you are done. When bending/shaping is complete, simply wash off the soapy layer.