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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2002
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    in the outer reaches of Sth Oz
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    75
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    525

    Default brazing/silver solder help

    I need to do some brazing with silver solder and small brass rods.
    I don't want to go with oxy acetalene again too expensive on rental for the amount of time it would be used. I have been looking at the Maap burners and if they get hot enough. Anybody here use one that could give some suggestions?
    Pete
    Boycott Shampoo!!
    Demand Real Poo!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lower Lakes SA
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    58
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    2,607

    Default

    I think you will find a propane (LPG) torch will be sufficiently hot, and very cheap to run. Get it refilled at a servo/hardware for a couple of bucks. Or buy a torch & hose to fit to your existing BBQ bottle.

  3. #3
    Dave J Guest

    Default

    It will depend on the silver content, but you should be right with mapp gas. I remember seeing a turbo one or something that went up to ? 3000 + degrees, not sure exactly. I have silver solder here that I could heat all day with propane and it will only glow red and not melt.

    Dave

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Armidale NSW
    Age
    52
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    915

    Default

    I have an LPG and a MAPP torch, and find I go for the MAPP especially when silver soldering. Just seems to work better.

    How thick are the rods?
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    near Warragul, Victoria
    Posts
    3,718

    Default Lpg

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave J View Post
    I have silver solder here that I could heat all day with propane and it will only glow red and not melt.

    Dave
    Yes same here . The propane isn't effective for brazing, not enough heat , but it is ideal for soldering and heating up rusty bolts to loosen them - that's what I use it for mostly. Plus it is only a few bucks to refill the bottle and a 2kg bottle lasts for years . I don't know about MAPP , will do a search . Mike

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Victoria, Australia
    Age
    74
    Posts
    5,080

    Default

    Hi Pete,

    Good question, I'd like to know what flux and what % silver people find best.

    Regards
    Ray

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Horsham
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Not sure if this would help but at a local industrial supply store I saw a small disposable oxy set, it looked similar to this one

    Welding equipment and supplies (TIG, Plasma, MIG, Arc, Spot, Stick) - Weld-Mart Australia

    I'm not sure if it was the same brand or not, (I can find out if you like), but the whole setup was around $150 from memory. That was the 2 bottles and the torch. No rental to pay and seemed to have a fair range of heat as they lit it up in the shop to demonstrate.

    Regards,

    Jayson

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Country West Oz
    Age
    77
    Posts
    169

    Default

    I got rid of my oxy/acetelene couple of years ago and got this.
    It is excellent but only good for small jobs, the oxy bottle lasts better than I thought it would.
    Worth a look, it is cheap enough and no bottle rental.

    https://www.alltools.com.au/shop/index.php/121/4021_Bernzomatic_OX2550KC_Brazing_Cutting_&_Welding_Kit_I
    Regards
    Bradford

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Horsham
    Posts
    92

    Default

    Thats the one I was thinking of...

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Armidale NSW
    Age
    52
    Posts
    915

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by RayG View Post
    I'd like to know what flux and what % silver people find best.
    I have been using 15% silver solder and a white paste flux (borax based possibly??) that I got from a plumbing store.

    I've used it for a heap of plumbing jobs, as well general silver soldering applications.
    Cheers.

    Vernon.
    __________________________________________________
    Bite off more than you can chew and then chew like crazy.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
    Posts
    4,049

    Default

    I just buy silver solder from a plumbing supplier. Don't know what siver % it is. I bought a largish pack. 25 rods or so for house reno use. Suitable for plumbing I hope LOL. Same as Vernon I think. Flux as well.

    Just for interest I use an OXY / LPG set. Does most things but not welding with steel rods. Saves me the cost of rental on an acetylene cylinder. I have thought about buying a kit like https://www.alltools.com.au/shop/ind...&_Welding_Kit_
    as then I could have a cylinder of gas for mig welder which gets far more use than the oxy set. Depends on cost of use tho. Oxy lasts for years.

    I am also looking into backyard smelting etc including a forge for heating using waste oil which I have hundreds of litres saved up from oil changes etc. This would enable me to heat silver steel etc for heat treatment and the like without the oxy set. Cost me a lot of money tho for the oxy set. Not so easy to get on sale. I have never seen them advertised let alone on sale. Decisions decisions.

    Dean

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    melbourne australia
    Posts
    3,228

    Default

    I've had a CIG oxy-LPG set for 30 years. I would love acetylene, but agree the cost of rental & refill is extortionate. My only complaint with it is that the flame will often snuff out just as the workpiece reaches the correct temp for brazing. It's as if the torch's tip gets too hot and the flame goes out with a loud screeching noise. It mainly happens when I'm brazing an internal corner. I'm sure it's something to do with gas pressure or my crappy technique. Anyway, back on topic!
    Last edited by jack620; 5th Nov 2011 at 08:38 PM. Reason: spelling

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Near Bendigo, Victoria, AUS
    Age
    72
    Posts
    3,102

    Default

    Incidentally, don't use plumber's solder for solver soldering tool tips or carbide tips. For that you need a completely different alloy - I think around 65% silver. Someone help me out here...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Far West Wimmera
    Age
    63
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    4,049

    Default

    Yes, somebody help him out here. Thanks for pointing that out. I have seen massive amounts of silver soldering used to attach all sorts of tips. Even carbide tips 15 inches long attached to the top of centreless grinder work rests and I was never aware there was a special type used. I was the user not the fixer.

    I will solder tips on at some point and will have to buy some solder to have on hand.

    Dean

  15. #15
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Lower Lakes SA
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    58
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    2,607

    Default

    Part 3 of the scraping series in HSM magazine talks about silver soldering carbide scraper tips on. He recommends propane on small jobs as it doesn't get too hot. I couldn't see any mention of the grade of solder used, which is an unfortunate oversight. I guess it must be a softer one. Joe is this the application you meant, or were you thinking of turning tools?

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