Bolsters on slip-joint.

are you cleaning it good before putting on the flux and solder? Sometimes i will use a piece of ss pinstock to spread out the solder once it has melted, if you are doing the "tinning" method. Also, be sure the flux covers the entire area to be soldered. I use the stay-brite low temp silver solder.
 
Definitely make sure it's clean, I'll wipe with acetone, scuff with a new piece of scotchbright, and wipe with acetone again. Aggressive flux is essential for stainless, hardware store plumbing stuff won't cut it. I use ruby fluid stainless (easier for me to get) but Harris stay clean is about its equal. I'll normally apply flux, heat some, flux again, and then solder. If it's still not wanting to flow, you can try applying some more flux on the solder and giving it a bit more heat (sometimes will work) if the solder starts crystallizing you've cooked it and have to sand everything off and start over. If it's really being stubborn (especially with stainless) you can try assembling the pieces dry, warming it with the torch, and swabbing it off with muriatic acid. Then flux while hot and solder. Loveless used to do that, and I've found it helpful on the occasional guard or something that just doesn't want to solder.

I'd also recommend wearing a respirator with acid gas cartridges when using these fluxes. The fumes are not at all pleasant and can burn your lungs
 
I've also found being able to heat fast can be helpful. Oxy acetylene works, but is easy to overheat too quickly. I've found an air acetylene turbo torch to be about perfect, and a good step up from a Mapp gas or propane torch.
 
Dunno, currently I've got Harris Safety-Silv 45 (45% silver, high temp brazing alloy) with Stay-Silv flux, and then some 50% silver ribbon brazing stuff I got online from a place that supplies for the brazed carbide industry.

I haven't ever used the method in the videos, I clean and make sure the parts are as flat as I can get them, flux gingerly, clamp, and heat, all at once. Getting the heat right is the big trick, you need to be patient, heat slowly and evenly, and stop once the solder flows. It's super easy to overshoot and do it too fast, and have all kinds of issues.

I can't really help you with the above method, but I got the Safety-Silv at the local welding place, however, I knew I wanted a high silver, general brazing alloy that would join dissimilar metals, flow easily, and have a good color match for sterling, but be ok with stainless.

I definitely don't pretend to be an expert in this area though, I find myself soldering less and less of bolsters as time goes by.
 
Yeah, you want a precise little torch, not a big general one. A fine welding tip on a large oxy rig, turned down low, or one of those small plumbing oxy/propane rigs that uses two small bottles attached by hoses will work, but I wouldn't recommend a general hand held map or propane torch.

As Geoff said, it's really easy to overshoot temp, and ruin it.
 
Matt...This is the easiest Kit to use. Watch The video the little propane tank torch is all the heat you need. Make sure the parts are clean then clean again use a clean applicator to apply Flux it does not have to be dripping wet then lay on the solder and hold above the flame it will take very little time to start flowing...use a short length of pin material to move the solder around until the bolster is coated.
The kit below can be found at Jantz Supply.
http://www.knifemaking.com/product-p/jhsb.htm
 
Did you flux the area? It's also necessary to draw the solder with the use of the heat. I use the white flux mixed with water if it's too dry to spread. As you see the flux melt, move the heat from this area.
Very hot where the flux is boiling brown and the solder no longer wants to stick.
Frank
 
I did flux it but I used a white paste flux. I'm not sure I have the right stuff. I just ordered the kit from jantz that Busto mentioned and will give it a try. I'm going over to a local fellas house in the morning that makes a lot of slip joints so I'll pick his brain also. Thanks for all the tips guys.
 
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