I want to shape metal in a full arm. Any clues?

Question

Idea from FMA.

I don't want to use aluminum it's too light. Is there another type of metal I can use to weld together? I want this to be a full, wearable arm including hand with fingers. Is there a metal to shape and do this with? I have a roll of aluminum sheeting, seems durable but I was told I can't weld aluminum to itself.

Help me out with this if anyone's a metal/welder.

Answer 1

You should also try posting this in "engineering" under "science and mathematics."

You could use stainless steel, which is what medical prosthetic limbs are made of.  There are many types of stainless steel, and you will need to get some training to work with it.  Sounds like a couple of courses in metalworking and mechanical design will help you a lot.

Answer 2

You can weld aluminum. But you might need a MIG or TIG machine to do so.

The biggest problem in forming aluminum is that it work hardens readily. Some alloys are more resistant to this than others, but all work harden to some degree. So aluminum is only fair in terms of malleability. You can anneal to overcome work hardening, but repeated rounds of annealing cause other kinds of work stress in the metal. If you intend to work your piece extensively by forge or hammer, you might look at sheet copper, or steel as your material.

Answer 3

try posting this in the correct catagory

this is aircraft