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Which solder?
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:46 pm
by jajorda2
So, I'm new at soldering brass components together and need to know which kind of solder to use to reconnect my horn's bugle to the bottom bow. I THINK I saw Dan Oberloh using silver solder to braze bits together but I've seen people using traditional lead solder. Would
http://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-NS3-N ... B0000CBJGM" target="_blank work?
Also, if anyone has some tubing lying around they'd like to sell....
Re: Which solder?
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:53 pm
by Ben
Google search "lead vs silver solder" turned up this
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_25374 ... tm#5797224
"Silver solder is substantially stronger and requires more heat (torch) to apply. It's also more expensive."
I personnally use silver solder, its stronger and less toxic. I am also not a master, but have re-plumbed sections of a house I used to own.
Re: Which solder?
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:54 pm
by tubaguy9
I'd have to reccomend the low temp silver solder (sta-silv?) and the nokorrode paste flux. I know the stay-silv comes with sta-clean flux that works pretty well. You can get some at home depot for @$10.
Re: Which solder?
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 2:10 pm
by jajorda2
Thanks for the suggestions. Its just an older beater I'm playing around with to learn a few things.
Also, Bloke, the tiny "wow" makes me sad and comes with an air of disdain, I suspect.
Re: Which solder?
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 2:52 pm
by Cameron Gates
Hey OP, if you have to ask this question AND value this project you should maybe have a tech do that soldering.
Put silver solder out of you mind for that joint.
Good luck.
Re: Which solder?
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:18 pm
by Dan Schultz
KiltieTuba wrote:Since it's a beater, just use 50/50 solder.
Any tubing? Yes, but probably not of any use other than practice.
Uh-oh. This will probably become another five-page thread about the use of leaded solder... like the nickel-alergy thread that's currently running.
But.... Ian's right. 'cept I use less than 30% lead when I can. Not because of health issues as much as it tends to migrate into silver finishes less.
BTW... use solid solder. Not some 'cored' stuff.
Re: Which solder?
Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 12:45 am
by toobagrowl
TubaTinker wrote:
BTW... use solid solder. Not some 'cored' stuff.
+1. I am still a novice at soldering, but I have noticed that it is very difficult to use the 'acid core' solder on my tubas.

It tends to 'spit', and doesn't 'flow' quite as well as the solid core solder, leaving sloppy solder marks.
I use the tin/copper lead-free solder, which is already harder to work with than the lead-based solder.
The 'acid-core' lead-free solder is a bitch to work with

I get better results from the solid solder with a little paste flux on the cleaned work-spot. I just need more practice with it; especially making sure the work-spot is CLEAN so the solder will wet/flow better.