[TheForge] Soldering Stainless- or welding

[James Binnion]

Question

What type of solder are you using, low temp silver bearing 460 F ?   
Or easy silver brazing type 1100-1200 F ? Flux for lead soldering is  
absolutely no good for brazing it is basically a hydrochloric acid  
salt like zinc chloride. Where as brazing fluxes are borax based  
compounds with additives to make it flow at lower temps (1100F) and  
extend its fluxing abilities. Very different animals. Ready flux is  
for brazing (1100-1700 F active range. StayClean is for low temp work  
using tin silver or lead tin solders. So from your results I am  
guessing that you are brazing with easy silver filler alloy. You will  
find that if you use one of the boron modified fluxes like Handy B-1  
or any other "Black" flux that your brazing of stainless will be much  
easier to do.

Jim


On Aug 23, 2006, at 2:15 PM, PlumDon at aol.com wrote:

> Since the subject is at hand I would like to relate an experience  
> from  today
> and perhaps someone might conjecture an opinion.
>
> I needed to solder a stainless handle to a stainless bowl. I was  
> using easy
> silver. I first tried my general use flux which is Stay Clean from  
> Harris.  I
> use this with all lead solder and find it excellent. The silver  
> balled up and
> did not flow. Next I tried Rio Grande Rio Ready Flux for Silver and  
> Gold.
> Again  it balled up and did not flow. Last I tried Ultra Flux  
> Silver Brazing Flux
> from  Wolverine and it flowed quickly and nicely and is a solid joint.
>
> Is there that much difference in fluxes or do you think I was doing
> something else wrong...like applying too much heat too fast or  
> whatever. I have  a
> bunch more of these to go so welcome any opinions.
>
> Kindest thanks
>
> Don Plummer

James Binnion
jbin at well.com