Boiler Buiding

[mikemill]

It is more than ten years since I made a boiler, as I intend to build a 2” Fowler TE in the new year, I need advise on current procedures.
I used to solder my firebox and tubes with JM B6, is this still the case or is there an alternative higher melting point solder on the market?
Also is the dreaded Sulphuric Acid still used for pickle, again is there an alterative?
Any other tips would be appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

[chiptim]

Hi Mike,
not knowing anything about a 2" Fowler boiler I'm assuming its copper as you're silver soldering it rather than welding. I think the main difference you will find since you last built a boiler is the fact that you can no longer buy cadmium bearing silver solders from commercial suppliers. Of course you may have some stock to use or find a private sale. The cadmium free solders take a bit of getting used to and you may have to adapt some of your techniques to get good results with them. Watch out for the fact that they have a wider range between starting to melt and fully molten so you need sufficient heat to get them to flow like cadmium bearing solders. My advice, and I accept that this isn't always possible on a boiler, but wherever you can apply the solder to the opposide side to the heat source so that its drawn through the joint to the hottest side. I use Citric Acid for pickling. Takes a lot longer when cold but still works OK.
Good Luck!
Tim

[ejparrott]

Get the material certs when you buy the platework and tubes for the boiler inspector, who will want to view the boiler during construction.

[mikemill]

Thanks for your replies and advice, in answer to my own question searching the source of all things useful ebay, the sodium family of chemicals seem to be the answer to an alternative pickle. Sodium Tetraborate is Borax which we use as a flux for sliver soldering and that keeps copper very clean, further searching shows Sodium Bisilicate as an industrial metal cleaner, it may take a little longer, but I always hated Sulphuric Acid so will give it a try. Any chemists among us who could comment?
Thanks
Mike