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Thread: Plumbers Solder Applications?
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15th May 2019, 09:36 AM #1Novice
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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?
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15th May 2019, 09:55 AM #2Member: 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?
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15th May 2019, 10:14 AM #3Novice
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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.
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15th May 2019, 12:16 PM #4Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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15th May 2019, 03:33 PM #5Novice
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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
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15th May 2019, 04:01 PM #6
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15th May 2019, 04:17 PM #7Novice
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I tried plumbers solder and it just fell off the steel, what type of flux is required?
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15th May 2019, 05:05 PM #8Member: Blue and white apron brigade
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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.
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15th May 2019, 05:08 PM #9Member: 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.
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16th May 2019, 06:51 AM #10Novice
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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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