Hard Soldering Steel

[EdK]

I need to hard solder two pieces of steel together and I was wondering what type of steel I should use that solders well? The type of steel doesn't matter for the project, only for the soldering.

Thanks,
Ed

   

[f350ca]

From my experience silver solder will bond to any steel I've used, mild steel is fine. If you mean brazing the same applies. Could you make an interference fit, then heat the arm and shrink it on. If not allow 2 or 3 thou gap for the solder to wick into the joint.

[EdK]

(04-02-2013, 12:08 PM)f350ca Wrote: From my experience silver solder will bond to any steel I've used, mild steel is fine. If you mean brazing the same applies. Could you make an interference fit, then heat the arm and shrink it on. If not allow 2 or 3 thou gap for the solder to wick into the joint.

I just might try the interference fit first and if I screw that up I'll probably just key it on with a pin. There won't be much torque on it at all so it doesn't need to be soldered on. That's just the way the plans say to do it.

Thanks,
Ed

[f350ca]

How big is the pin Ed, if its in the inch range you probably only want about 1 thou interference, the arm won't expand much more than that.

[EdK]

Greg,

The pin that fits in the hole in the arm is 1/4".

Ed

   

[f350ca]

There's not much length on the connection, I'd be tempted to go with you original method of soldering it.

[EdK]

(04-02-2013, 01:14 PM)f350ca Wrote: There's not much length on the connection, I'd be tempted to go with you original method of soldering it.

I wondered about that. Oh well, I'll try hard soldering it and see what happens. I had planned on making the lever out of 1018 CRS and the shaft out of O-1 drill rod. Will those two solder together without a problem?

Thanks,
Ed

[dallen]

ED

make sure you clean the parts well to remove all the oil, coat all surfaces with flux, cut a hunk of solder off large enough for the joint and place it in the solder then heat till solder melts and runs into the joint.

DAllen

[f350ca]

Should work Ed, make sure its clean like Dallen said, but don't use brake cleaner, some of that stuff can give off nasty fumes when heated.

[EdK]

(04-02-2013, 05:26 PM)f350ca Wrote: Should work Ed, make sure its clean like Dallen said, but don't use brake cleaner, some of that stuff can give off nasty fumes when heated.

I was reading about hard soldering and the article said to use acetone to clean the parts off. Is it OK to use the silver solder that's sold for soldering copper pipe? I'm assuming I'll need some flux made for steel though rather than copper.

Ed