soldering guards

[vaquero57]

Can you use mutriac acid and a solder brush to clean the guard area before the flux is applied and to also wipe off excess solder while it is still molten as loveless describes in the book how to make knives even though I use carbon steel? Does this take the place of cleaning before hand or should you still clean area and with what? How would I neutralize this acid afterwards? With baking soda and water or windex with ammonia? Getting ready to solder my first guard. I am not new to soldering with a torch just never done it on a blade before. Cory

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" I am a shootist."
Clay Allison
" Does this mean we are bladists?"
Vaquero57
McAlpin Bladesmithing

 

[L6steel]

If Bob says he does, I guess he does, but I aint gettin near hot steel with muratic acid! If you clean the parts thoroughly and apply the right amount of flux, I prefer liquid flux, and put the flame on the tang about 1 1/2" below the guard so the tang and guard heats evenly, you'll get a good solder job. And yes you can wipe away excess solder with an acid brush. Just brush quickly or you'll melt the bristles and they'll stick to the knife. If you have a copy of K&G's catalog, they have a good explanation of silver soldering on page 9. Best thing you can do is practice. Take some scrap steel and brass and solder it together and try to get the smoothest joint you can.
Another thing. Using solder to fill in a sloppy fit between the guard and blade is not the way to go. Believe me, I've done it enough times to know better. Take the time to cut the slot so that it's nice and tight. Cut the slot smaller than needed and then file it till it's just about there and then press the guard in place. You might need to slightly taper the tang so the hilt isn't smaller than the butt end of the tang.
Make yourself a safe file for working the guard slot. Take a good flat file and grind the teeth off one side and one edge. That way you can file one part of the slot without chewing up another part. Hope all this babbling helps!

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Take care!! Michael

Always think of your fellow knife makers as partners in the search for the perfect blade, not as people trying to compete with you and your work!
http://www.nebsnow.com/L6steel
Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms!!!

 

[Mike Hull]

You also want to clean the guard/blade solder area very,very well.A lot of makers use tsp=tri sodium phosphate,available in paint/hardware stores,I use 409 cleaner,wipe it first w/acetone,then clean till water does`nt bead up,dont touch the area w/bare hands,apply flux,and do like the other man said.The biggest problem w/soldering guards is poor preparation.

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MJH

 

[Fox Creek]

Michael is right on all points.. I might add that I have noticed it is MUCH esier to get a neat solder joint with a brass guard than a steel one. the brass conducts heats so quickly and evenly, it makes the job of getting the whole thing up to soldering heat much easier and neater. No hot spots.