Soldering mild to stainless?

G

gixxer

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Sep 21, 2006
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Although I broke my dremel in this endeavor, I have run into another concern. Is there anything I need to worry about trying to solder mild to stainless?
 
Use acid flux make sure that the place you want solder is clean. put the acid flux on it then tin the area with a thin coat of solder(in other words put a bunch of solder on it then wipe off the extra so that all you see is a nice silver sheen) do this on both parts
The ss will be the hardest to get tinned because it has to be realy clean, wash it in acitone or some solvent that will not leave a film. After you clean it and make sure it is dry put the acid flux on it and tin it.
then put the parts together and apply extra solder if needed. Heat until the solder melts and remove the heat, DO NOT OVER HEAT OR IT WILL NOT HOLD.

another tip, solder will not run over graphite so if you want to tin an area like a ricaso for a guard, take a pencil after you clean the area make a mark with the pencil doesnt have to be real dark the solder will not pass the line.
 
Rusty McDonald said:
another tip, solder will not run over graphite so if you want to tin an area like a ricaso for a guard, take a pencil after you clean the area make a mark with the pencil doesnt have to be real dark the solder will not pass the line.
Click to expand...

Another great tip that makes reading every threat worth it in the long run Thanks Jim
 
I assume you're using something like a 95Sn-5Ag solder .For stainless steel you need a flux designed for stainless it will say so on the bottle.That will also slder carbon steel.
 
Would I be able to get the solder to flow without tinning up the pieces first? I plan on soldering blued bolsters and I am afraid of overrun around the front if I tin the areas before the parts are held together and heated. but then if I have the area soapstoned off it should not be a problem, right?

One thing is for sure after I come up with a plan of action I need to practice on some scrap blade steel. Sounds like something to do tomorrow. Hopefully Depot or Lowes has flux for stainless.

Thanks again for the help. I have been asking a lot of questions and not posting many blades these days...
 
Most liquid acid flux will work for stainless. Ahh you want it all dont ya, I cant keep anything to myself? yeah 5%ag will do If its on something that will show like a guard on a bowie or hunter, but if I'm soldering some bolsters on a slipjoint I use regular plumbers solder, because you cant see the .001 gap between the bolster and the liner and it holds better for me, oh and that stainless to stainless.

USE THE PENCIL TRICK IT WORKS!
 
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