Silver solder

SteelSlaver

SteelSlaver

Joined
Feb 17, 2007
Messages
3,375
I have trouble getting a total joint and sometimes just getting it to stick I can to copper wiring and pipe all day long. I used to make my own printed circuit boards. I suck at doing steel I have a couple rolls of solder, no core 1 is Dutch boy and the other Stay bright. Both are lead free and have about 5% silver and melt at 450. I clean every thing up well preheat ant hit it with some Alpha metals liquid flux (supposed to be good for near everything) Sometimes I can't even get the solder to lay down it just sits there in a liquid blob. Is it my flux. I don't heat the solder just the parts. I am not getting good flow. I suspect the flux. What is the best and any other tips. I know I should be able to do this but, I suck at it. Help me. Thanks
 
I have never soldered a guard on yet. They get swaged on over some JB weld. The JB weld is just to make sure no moisture gets sucked into the fitting.
 
Best is to get some Stay Klean flux and you will be in business. Be careful that you are not overheating the work or you will burn the flux and then the solder will just blob up on you . Heat evenly and slowly and pull the heat wen the solder goes liquid.
 
If you are soldering stainless steel you must use a flux specifically designed for stainless, it must say 'for stainless ' on the label.Clean everything carefully [then don't touch !] Capillary action requires close fitting ,about .003" gap .
 
I'm not sure what your cleaning your work with. I use acetone and Q-tips. Then apply the flux. Heat slow and even until solder starts to draw into the joint. Apply enough to finish the joint. Fit is very important as Mete said. I have found that if an area has not drawn enough solder, a quick wipe with a flux soaked Q-tip helps even things out. Then the clean up begins.

Hope this helps

Pete Crowl
ABS Journeyman Smith
 
I clean things first with sandpaper then acetone. I will get some Stay Klean flux. Does it work on Stainless, if not what works with SS. I have used tig welding, stick welding, forge welding, peened pins and JB Weld etc. I will get good with silver solder. It is the way to go on many applications.
 
I've tried them all (at least most of them). Brownell's comet flux and Alpha's FloTemp seem to work best for me. Brownell's Hi Force (the 475 degree stuff) works well also.

Jim
 
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