Aluminum/Steel weld identification
 

Can anyone identify the kind of weld that was done on these wheels? The spokes are aluminum and the rim is steel. This would have to be a weld that wasn't invented after 1967.
Verne
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-img_5226.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_5222.jpg

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_5221.jpg

Re: Aluminum/Steel weld identification
 

Looks like wire feed to me...It's screams it to me..the inclusion or bubble is typical of the end of the weld

Re: Aluminum/Steel weld identification
 

Looks like a all steel plug weld done with MIG. Mark is correct about the crater at the end of the puddle. The aluminum cast center section has steel lugs cast in. This is what is welded to the outer rim. The GMAW (Mig) was around in the 1960's in industry. Hard to date the weld, could the wheels have been restored?

BIG

Re: Aluminum/Steel weld identification
 

No, the wheels are original. So you think the spokes had a steel plug in them to weld steel to steel?

Verne

Re: Aluminum/Steel weld identification
 

Yep, for all practical purposes, you're not welding steel to aluminum. There are processes that join the two together, but very unlikely to find them used on a wheel. High tech for today, and impossible back then.

BIG