ArtMetal

Hello,

Does anybody have any words of wisdom for soldering galvanized steel wire (gauge 16) to 1/2 inch copper pipe (standard plumbing type)?

I am currently using:

- Bernzomatic pen torch (small flame torch)
- Sterling Premium lead-free flux
- Bernzomatic Metal Work silver bearing acid core lead free solder

I am cleaning the pipe with a file so that it is nice and bright/new metal but still having difficulty getting the two to bond well. I suspect it has something to do with the different temperature absorption properties of each metal but unsure. I am new to this soldering/fabrication.

Do I need to heat the copper first/last, steel first/last?

Or are these two metals just not a good match - I got the galvanized steel because it was about $6 for 200ft at home depot - it solders well to itself but obviously need to attach it to the copper to be of use.

I am building the frame for a Rolling Ball Sculpture similar to this one:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3qwhp_small-copper-rolling-ball-sculpture_creation

Just want to attach the track (galvanized steel wire) to the frame (copper pipe) in a clean manner.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!