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Post by ron on Mar 6, 2008 17:43:10 GMT
Hi Everybody Nearly had a bit of a disaster today, ran out of propane while silver soldering!  [shouldn't have barbied so much last summer  ], it took me about an hour to get another cylinder so when I returned I dabbed some more flux at the joins on the bit that hadn't been done and it soldered up OK. This got me wondering, once a part has been cleaned and fluxed, how long can you leave it like this before silver soldering, hours, days, weeks? Ron |
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Post by chris vine on Mar 6, 2008 18:38:04 GMT
No idea Ron,
Years maybe??!!
C
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Post by GWRdriver on Mar 6, 2008 19:50:25 GMT
Ron,
I would agree with Chris . . . a very long time, I have fluxed assemblies and come back weeks later to resume the work. Copper and dried white flux are quite good friends but water always seems to cause trouble. I have had long-dried white flux begin to re-absorbe moisture while left in a humid location and become green oxide-contaminated.
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SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,399
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Post by SteveW on Mar 6, 2008 20:47:52 GMT
Guys,
I was watching a silver soldering demo at one of the MEXs. The tip was a tiny drop of washing up liquid in the mix. This allows any unused flux to dry out and be re-hydrated next time.
Once deployed on the joint I would suggest that if it isn't used it should be cleaned off, the base parts cleaned again and re-fluxed etc.
Remember you cannot afford to screw up on any SS joint, it's just too expensive especially for the sake of a couple of minutes cleaning and re-fluxing.
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denis M
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 300
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Post by denis M on Mar 6, 2008 21:25:18 GMT
We had a talk earlier in the week by Keith Hale of Cup Alloys, very interesting it was too. He said that flux lasts a long time in fact I often flux up my joints the night before I want to solder them. He also mentioned adding washing up liquid as well as meths to the flux. Can not remember what the meths was for though. Also Keith said why spend time cleaning joints because as soon as you put the flame near the material it gets dirty, let the flux do the work. If you need to clean never use scotch pads, emery cloth or wire wool as particles can be left in the joint causing leaks. If you are looking at a good evening meeting, give Keith a call. Good website also on www.cupalloys.com Denis |
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[shouldn't have barbied so much last summer 
], it took me about an hour to get another cylinder so when I returned I dabbed some more flux at the joins on the bit that hadn't been done and it soldered up OK. This got me wondering, once a part has been cleaned and fluxed, how long can you leave it like this before silver soldering, hours, days, weeks?
