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  1. #1
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    Default Plumbers Solder Applications?

    Can basic plumbers solder normally used for copper pies etc be used on any other metals for simple repairs?, or is the next step up to use silver solder?

  2. #2
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    It depends on the strength and fluid tightness requirements of your application.
    If it's a leak in a galvanised watering can it will be fine. If its something that has to bear a significant weight it won't.
    What are you intending to repair?

  3. #3
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    I'm repairing a vintage fan cage, thin steel wire, silver brazing rods seem expensive so I was trying to see if plumbers solder would work. I tried an experiment and it did not.

  4. #4
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken_Metal_Work View Post
    I'm repairing a vintage fan cage, thin steel wire, silver brazing rods seem expensive so I was trying to see if plumbers solder would work. I tried an experiment and it did not.
    What material is the fan cage made of, how are you cleaning it, are you using any flux, what sort of soldering iron are you using?
    What RPM is the fan?

    Again photos of the joints and describing what you are doing might help.

  5. #5
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    I was only asking if plumbers solder can be used to braze steel, on further research it seems it cannot so I'm not pursuing this line of thought any further - thanks

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken_Metal_Work View Post
    ... on further research it seems it cannot ...
    I've soldered steel to steel with both silver solder (15%) and soft solder.
    Cheers.

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

  7. #7
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    I tried plumbers solder and it just fell off the steel, what type of flux is required?

  8. #8
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken_Metal_Work View Post
    I tried plumbers solder and it just fell off the steel, what type of flux is required?
    You need scrupulously cleaned pieces of steel - ie no oil, grease so a solvent clean first, then sanded with new paper, and a flux like Bakers flux. It works easier if you pre-tin (cover join area with a thin layer of solder) the steel surfaces independently and then heat and mate the surfaces and then run more soldier in . Surfaces should be a very neat fit if you want strength.

  9. #9
    BobL is offline Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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    Sorry if this sounds blunt but it really would save an awful lot of PPP "ping pong posts" and time if you tell us exactly what you did, materials and soldering iron you used and even photos of what you are trying to solder so that we can provide advice in a reduced number of replies.

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the replies, I'm closing this thread - not going to try and use plumbers solder for steel

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