solder question..

swede2207

swede2207

Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Messages
323
What type of solder should i be using for the guards on my knives? My latest attempt was 40%tin and 60%lead,it was3/32 flux core.The results were so terrible i hid the blade at the bottom of a hole.Fortunately it was a practice piece(arent they all)anyway it flowed but got all over the guard and looked terrible. What do you guys use?
 
A lot of makers are using JB weld now, but those that still solder(me included)use silver solder. Not the real hi temp kind that melts at 1150-1250 degrees, but the 400-450 degree variety. You can get it from any knifemakers supply house. Make sure to get the matching flux to go with it.
http://www.knifeandgun.com/catalog/solder_and_fluxes_186708_products.htm

Kovals is another place.
http://www.kovalknives.com/

There are many more.

The biggest problem people have trying to solder is having everything clean enough. You have to wipe everything down with Acetone, them scrub with dish soap, followed by something like TSP, or 409, etc. When you rinse, and the water sheets across the blade, you are clean enough.
Apply the flux with a cotton swab inside the guard, and around the guard junction on the blade, heat slowly all the way around, and keep trying the solder till it melts. If the flux turns black, you've gotten it too hot. Strip it, clean it again, and start over.
One clue, don't do any buffing on the guard before soldering. It seems to grind in grit that keeps you from getting a good joint.


Edited to add; here's a place in your state.
http://www.texasknife.com/
 
What Mike said..

I prefer the solder and flux from Sheffield Supply. Been using it for years with good results.

I also use an Exacto knife with a #11 blade that has been "tinned" (etched with acid) and heat it up, using it like a soldering tip. It will make solder flow wherever you want it to go.

Just make sure you clean the whole joint before and after you solder. Flux rust sucks...
 
I agree with what mike says too, but I get my silver solder from radio shack, also I use only .022 diameter solder, this way I don't over flood the joint with solder and have a big mess to clean up. I can usually clean up a solder joint in 10 minutes and be ready to move on to the handle.

Bill
 
Here's a trick that really helps with cleanup. After cleaning the area well rub everything you DON"T want the solder to stick to with a soft pencil - not a charcoal one but a #1 regular yellow pencil. The graphite keeps any excess solder from sticking so cleanup is a real snap.
 
Thanks for all the good advice,im going to give it a go tonight and see how it goes,thanks again.
Luke
 
Don't worry about a little mess either. I used to pull my hair out because I couldn't pull off a perfect job. After reading Bruce Evans tutorials and seeing the mess he made as well as how he cleaned it up, I felt much better. His site is almost required reading although many of the others here have very good tutorials.
 
Another thing is,
Let the heat absorb into the metal. Heat for a bit and let it work in. It seems to go from not hot enough to too hot real quick.

Mark
 
solder will fallow heat so heat the farthest side slowly
and let the solder flow to the heat.

if you have to much in one place you can brush away most of it (while hot)
using a flux brush I use compressed air at times be careful
the stuff is hot and burns.:eek:
Tip
to make a tool to cut your solder out once cooled
get some
3/16" solid copper grounding wire
from your ele supply com. take a 2 or 3" piece and put it into a
chain saw file handle and sharpen the end like a chisel
the copper is softer than the medal and harder than the
solder and will cut it nicely with out scratching the job up.
buffing will clean up the rest if you do a good job cutting it out.
I hope this helps some
 
Does the metal being etched by the flux mean that your getting things too hot or is the flux etch just the nature of the beast?

Mark
 
yup
the heat will make the flux etch, even the fumes from it will
cause some etching those parts need to be protected if you
don't like refinishing after.
 
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