[TheForge] metalworking question- soldering brass

[Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer]

Thanks Grover.

Grover.Richardson at gtri.gatech.edu wrote:
> I was taught to take a #2 pencil and draw down the sides of the crack that you are brazing.  The solder will run to the pencil line and stop.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Andy Gladish
> Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:01 PM
> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA
> Subject: [TheForge] metalworking question- soldering brass
> 
> An architect has asked me, in the interest of the tightest, most crisp  
> joint possible, to try silver solder on the butt joints of a red brass  
> hand railing.
> Having done a couple houses full of copper plumbing, I assumed that this  
> would be easy, but butt joints seem to be a different animal altogether.
> Best results so far have been with jewelry grade solder, but it has a  
> tendency to run all over the surface and the pipe should probably be acid  
> cleaned before soldering, and the architect is trying to preserve the  
> patina on the railing as it is.
> One problem is that the joints have to be cut very precisely to get a  
> solderable joint, and that means expensive saws with lube that would have  
> to be cleaned off somehow...adding steps and expense.
> 
> Any suggestions, or does anyone know another active metals list where I  
> could get some suggestions?
> Thanks!
> Andy G.
>