How do i keep solder from running out the bottom of my guard?

LARRYZ10

LARRYZ10

Joined
Feb 6, 2010
Messages
1,427
Does anyone have a method to keep solder from running out the bottom of the guard when soldering it to the tang. I know there is a substance that some use to plug the bottom of the guard to keep this from happening. I even thought of using toothpaste to temporarily stop the solder flow. Any ideas would be appreciated. I usually don't have this problem if the guard is super tight. Thanks, Larry Lehman
 
I watched a video where a knife maker made a "tinkers dam" out of masking tape, he pored a bolster into the cup shaped tape using molten pewter, if the tape held up for that maybe it would work for you
 
You should not have much ( or any) solder running out the guard unless it isn't fitted properly. The gap should be less than a sheet of paper...almost a snug fit. Heat from the tang side and apply the solder from the blade side. This draws the solder into the joint toward the tang. After allowing to cool complete, wash off any flux well or it will cause rusting later on. Make a graver out of a piece of 1/4" round brass ( use a piece of 1" dowel for the handle). Use this graver to cut the excess solder cleanly from any place it is showing.


There are things that will prevent solder from attaching to the metal, yellow ochre being the most common. These do not replace the need for proper soldering technique.

A search on "soldering" will find many threads giving complete details on how to soft solder guards and bolsters.
Here is the BF search engine - https://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=011197018607028182644:qfobr3dlcra
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top