[TheForge] forge brazing

[Bruce Freeman]

For any brazing question, see the Handy & Harmon Brazing Book.

Pure copper melts a good deal higher than brazing alloys.  This may
make it more difficult to braze with.  When it melts, it flows as a
liquid (as do eutectic alloys).  If you want these properties, then it's
fine.  In some cases a wide melting range is better.  The suspended
solids ( at mid-range temperatures) can help fill larger gaps.

Usually, no fancy flux is needed for brazing.  The point of the flux is
to remove the oxides present and to prevent formation of additional
oxides.  Typically, fluxes are chosen to match the brazing temperature. 
Sometimes special fluxes are needed for special problems, like flurite
for aluminum.  Be careful with these, they can be highly toxic.

With brazing and soldering, clean is everything.  Remove all crud and
as much oxide as possible either mechanically or by pickling.  Nothing
spoils a brazed or soldered joint faster than bad surface prep.

Bruce
NJ

>>> f_faller at yahoo.com 1/28/2005 10:00:42 PM >>>
I need some simple suggestions on forge brazing. What
is a good flux? What is a good brazing material? Can I
use copper? What sort of surface preparation do I
need?

Any suggestions or tricks would be helpful.

Frederick Faller

=====
Frederick W. Faller
Shiloh Forge Ironware http://users.rcn.com/ffaller/SFI_web.htm 
www.immerland.com 

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