Question for Nick Wheeler - soldering standoffs

D

Dana Hackney

Joined
Nov 1, 2005
Messages
174
Hi Nick and gang,

I while back I ran a question by the forum in regards to threading (using a bottom tap)
holes in butt caps and Nick suggested using an end mill to drill a flat bottomed hole
and then soldering in a standoff.

My question is; can I use staybrite (sp?) solder? If I recall correctly, Nick, you mentioned
hard soldering. Would this be considered hard solder?

Many thanks,
Dana Hackney
Monument, CO
 
Nick is most likely off to the Reno show.

To answer your question, staybrite is soft solder and probably not stong enough, you need a higher temp silver solder for this.
 
I have used stay brite on many occasions to solder in stand-offs and haven't had one come back - yet!
I always put in two number 10-32 screws in the holes, (one at 12 o'clock and one at 6 O'clock) that were cut oversized. Also, I back-cut the bottom of the hole wider than the hole itself to create a "key" so the solder can't come out of the hole.
 
Dana, like Don said; Staybrite is technically called "silver-bearing" solder while the stuff Nick mentioned is more correctly called silver brazing rod. Approx. 5% silver with melting point below 550F versus 15-45% silver with melting points starting in the 1100F range and upwards above 1400F. "Sometimes" welding shops will sell it by the stick. Technique is the same.
 
I have used stabrite for years and have never had a bolster come loose even after I gave up pinning them. however I didn't try hammering to see how hard it was to get them off.
 
BTW, Dana, if you want to find out some stuff about silver brazing, search on Harris StaySilv. You can also check jewelry supply houses like Rio Grande.
 
I'll do some reading on how to do the silver brazing thing, as well as experiment
with the back-cutting trick. I'd like to learn all the tricks of the trade.

One other question, Karl, how do you go about setting two 10-32 screws? Do you mean
you add these in addition to the standoff (once it's screwed into place and the butt cap
is secure)?

Thanks so much guys!
Dana
 
How do you go about installing the extension (with the thong hole) at the
end of the pommel (like you have on most of your forged knives Karl)?
Does this thread on to the threaded portion of the tang?

Many thanks,
Dana
 
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