[TheForge] In need of a little instruction.

[Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer]

Aaron:
First, brazing is really sensitive to contamination, like soldering. 
Sometimes, even fingerprints will keep it from wetting...take it down to 
clear, bright metal. Use acetone to clean if necessary.
Second a good brazing flux matters, use plenty.
Start preheating the thickest piece first, as soon as the flux will 
adhere, sprinkle enough on to cover the part to be joined. Bring the 
heat up slowly, most folks overheat.
Rub the rod on the joint when you near temperature, when it starts to 
wet, watch your heat carefully. When the temp is just right, the braze 
will follow your flame like a puppy on a leash...try to maintain the 
temp that allows the braze to flow easily, no higher. When it flashes 
white, it's way too hot. Add more flux when necessary. Flux covered rod 
is handy. Use low fuming rod with good ventilation and keep your nose 
out of the fumes. The rod should melt a few hundred degrees lower than 
the copper.
On particular difficult joints, "tin" or "butter" both sides of the 
joint with brazing rod first, wire brush and then heat and fuse them.
Good luck.......Pete F

Aaron R. Williams wrote:

>Hello again all.  
>
>
>Aaron here. 
>
>First let me give a little clarification.  In my previous post I said that I
>was using grounding rod as part of my project.  I goofed I meant grounding
>cable it is about .25 in diameter.  I am also tapering it down so that it
>starts at a pin point and runs the full length of the feather back to full
>size.  This length varies from 6" to 9".  After I had them put together I
>was going to texture and patina them.
>
>To answer a few other questions I have an oxy/acetylene torch.  The solder I
>was trying to use was copper pipe solder, sorry the label is missing but I
>had bought it at Home Depot.  I was using paste flux.  And my copper was
>free of dirt and grease.
>
>Also I don't have a tig welder I have a wire feed, a stick, and my torch.
>
>Just wanted to thank all of you who put in their two cents to help me out.
>I will let everyone know when I finish and I will post photos at that time.
>At this point Mom will be getting a box of metal shapes and peaces for
>X-Mass.  I just don't have enough time to finish with work and this cold
>spell (I work outside.) Just the way things go.
>
>Also I wanted to wish all a Merry X-mass or what ever you celebrate ;-).   
>
>I leave you with this to ponder.  Is Santa a smith as well as a carpenter?
>Also are the rain dear shod?
>
>Thanks again.
>
>Aaron R. Williams
>Pueblo, CO
>
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