Page 1 of 1

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 thishttp://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. :x 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 :x 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.