Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [aluminum]

109 questions
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8 answers

What are the pros and cons of steel vs. aluminum metal roofing?

I'm considering a new roof for my suburban home. The home is about fourteen years old and the shingles are in so-so shape. We have had two leaks already and I've been told that means it is a good time to consider replacing the roof. Rather than…
Chris W. Rea
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How can I fix a stripped hole in an aluminum piece?

I have a tripod head that is made of aluminum. In the head there is a small hole that houses a small screw that secures a quick-release plate. After some time the hole stripped and the screw no longer holds. I suspect that there is no simple way to…
Jakub Kaleta
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How do I drill holes in Aluminum / Aluminium sheet?

I have some aluminum / aluminium strips that are about 3 mm thick and about 20 mm wide. I need to drill some holes in them. The holes will be 3.5 mm. What type of drill bit do I need? What speed should I run the drill; fast or medium or slowish? …
DanBeale
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1 answer

Under what circumstances can aluminum be in contact with steel?

I understand galvanic corrosion and the chemistry which causes the reaction. But under what circumstances can they be in contact? On first impression I would think they could in a dry environment... but that's a tough definition to follow. I'm…
Matthew
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3 answers

Troubleshooting bandsaw cutting at an angle (through aluminum)

I occasionally use (or abuse) a small tabletop band saw to rough cut aluminum plate. I generally having a lot of success and have been able to cut half inch thick plate without any problem using 6 to 10 tpi wood cutting blades. This weekend I tried…
Scott Saunders
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What screws can be used with Aluminum windows?

I got some cheap aluminum windows for an outdoor room project, but I'm not sure what hardware to use to mount them. The windows have a nailing flange built in, but I don't want to use steel screws, or anything else thats going to cause corrosion…
J. B.
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2 answers

Where can I purchase a block of aluminium?

I'm need a 5" x 5" x 1" block of aluminium. Is this something I can buy online and are there different types of aluminum to consider? Will I have to buy a bigger piece and cut the aluminum down to my specific size? I need a solid base that I can…
trying_hal9000
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Repair holes in galvanized sheet?

So far, I've only seen other questions around here about galvanized pipe or duct, so here's a new one for you all! I'm trying to patch up holes rusted through a telescope observatory's dome. The panels themselves are, according to documentation,…
Dan C
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How to secure aluminium window lock handle that keeps falling off?

The lock handle on my aluminium windows keeps falling off. The handle had previously fallen off when I first moved in a year ago and the landlord remounted it. Since then it has become loose a few times, but has been able to be screwed back in. Now…
row1
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Soldering copper pigtails to aluminum wire

As I prepare to remedy my parent's 1965 home's aluminum wiring I have investigated Copalum and Alumicon. Copalum appears to be unavailable. I've tried a few Alumicon connectors but they take a lot of space in the box and basically add more…
Craig Nelson
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1 answer

What fastener should I use to attach an aluminium bracket to a wall?

Is it OK to use a regular zinc plated screw when fastening an aluminum bracket to a wall? It might seem like a silly question but I have heard that mixing metals in fastening applications can result in corrosion. UPDATE: It seems like corrosion is…
md1337
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3
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2 answers

Solar panel as a hatch and Is sleeping under a solar panel safe?

I'm looking to build a very large custom roof hatch/vent on my van. I was going to make to top out of Lexan, but then I realized I might want a large solar panel on the roof as well. I was looking at the aluminum structure of solar panels and read…
Hell.Bent
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How can I remove residue left after removing aluminum foil from my windows?

Let's see whether this is a question for DIY or for Chemistry. I put up aluminium foil on my windows for a few days, to test whether it was a good way to avoid the heating by the morning sun. I put it up on the inside, by wetting the glass with…
hmijail
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Is it possible to use a router to cut a slot in aluminum?

I need to cut a 1/4 inch slot in 1/4 inch inch thick aluminum. I currently have A drill press A router in a router table Carbide bits for the router My current plant is to drill the beginning and ending holes of the slot in the aluminum with the…
Steve French
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Why are my oven knobs turning pink?

I left my stove un-attended for 8 weeks and when I got back to using it, I noticed mould on one of the stove's knobs. I sprayed some white vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes and wiped it off. Sadly, it has turned the knob pink in color. What causes…
happybuddha
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