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Another question that I can't get a clear answer on is: if heat is applied to aluminum, does it drastically weaken the material? I was working on some of the thicker pieces of aluminum in my tail and used a belt sander to take material off. The aluminum heats up pretty significantly and I want to make sure the parts I am building will be safe for the long haul. Let me know your advice.

Thanks!

Tony,
Either annealing or changing temper of aluminum generally requires temps in excess of 500F. I have friends at work who can more definitively answer the question for 6061-T6. I will get back to you. I think you are fine however.

One chart I looked up says that either the tensile ultimate or yield strength does not change at 350F for less than 6 minutes on temperature, or for 300F at less than 30 minutes. Ageing temperature for bringing the material to the T6 condition is 320F. I have belt sanded a lot of edges, and I don't think they get to 300F. I have never measured it though. If anybody has an infrared thermometer it would be a fun experiment. I say let it rip!

Great info! I figured it wasn't a huge deal, just a new builder being overly cautious.I guess it's always better to ask questions than assume!

Thanks again.