Silver Solder Rivets??

L6steel

L6steel

Joined
Sep 23, 1999
Messages
5,855
Has anyone ever used silver solder alone, to hold bolsters on?? I was thinking you could drill some holes thru the liner and bolster, but only about half way thru the bolster, maybe even drill the bolster's holes a tad bigger than the liner's. Then ream or countersink the holes in the liner on the blade side, and the holes in the bolster. Then clean em up real good, and clamp them together. Use liquid flux on them and simply fill the holes in with the solder. I know you'd have to have a small wire to swirl any air bubbles out of the solder, but it seems like it would be a good way to secure the bolsters without having pins thru them. Whatcha think??? Take care! Michael

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Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!
 
Sounds pretty tricky L6. The main reason I use pins through the bolster is a backup for the silver solder bond. Just in case it lets go for some reason, the bolster won't fall off!

The trick is to make the pins invisible. Bob's method worked quite well, but you have to match the grade of pins/bolster or you can still see them. First, just silver solder the bolster on, then drill your holes for the pins and countersink (both sides). The trick is to polish the countersink very smooth to get all the burrs out. Then, insert the pins and very slowly and with a small jewelers peening hammer, peen the pins. Gently, very gently to make sure you get a good seal between the pin and the countersink. Works great, and is invisible after a good polishing.

All that is assuming you're not using finished bolsters. You have to be able to sand the pin/rivet down smooth/flush to the bolster after the peening. Try it on a scrap piece and you'll see what I mean.

[This message has been edited by MaxTheKnife (edited 10-19-2000).]
 
you could also try using short pins and then filling the rest of the hole with solder

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I'm a Schizophrenic and so am I
 
Hey, where are all you big timers on this one????? I wanna know if anyone's ever tried this or am a 100% nutcase for thinkin of it???? Take care! Michael
 
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