Re: silver soldering stainless steel

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Posted by Michael Anderson on July 11, 1999 at 12:13:54:

In Reply to: Re: silver soldering stainless steel posted by Jeff Zachmann on July 13, 1998 at 23:07:26:

Yep. It's the flux and the heat. -Assuming that surfaces are immaculate. In 1980, I asked the local welder's supply store for a flux for soldering steel and I've been using the same can ever since. All of rthe writing is gone so I can't tell you what to use, but I'm sure there are good products out there. -the Rio Grande product for instance.

Heat things gradually to make sure heating is complete, and reaches mass on both sides of the joint. BUT(!), though it sounds like a contradition, try to get in and get out with the torch. If the flux remains very hot for a for more than 15 to 20 seconds, if that long, it will lose it's properties. The metal will oxydize and the solder will not flow.

In any case, if your solder does not flow, you will have to make sure surfaces are perfectly clean and free of oxides before trying again.

Make sure your torch is big enough for the job. Both pieces must get hot, and show a lot of color on both sides of the joint.

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