Silver Solder--where??

[dcarty]

I'd like to get to work on my communicator kits and need to find silver solder. It seems like there are about four thousand varieties of solder so would someone please help my sorry keister out and tell me what I need to buy and where I can buy it?

Thank you.

 

[robn1]

Most people have been using Sta-Brite solder http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/sta/stasbsk.htm

I used Bernzomatic plumbing solder on mine http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
this is about 1/8in thick, so I had to cut it into small bits. The Sta-Brite is very thin and would be easier to use, but not so easy to find locally.

 

[Sith_241]

what base materials are you trying to join. The type of solder used depends on that mostly.

 

[dcarty]

Thanks for the tip!

I'll be soldering perforated brass sheet and brass wire to make a flip top antenna for a Star Trek TOS Communicator kit. The kit instructions, and every build thread I've ever read on any forum, suggest "Silver Solder" but give no further information.

To date I haven't seen anything on a store shelf labeled "Silver Solder" just various solders with varying lead content, or no lead content, etc. and didn't know if was missing something.

 

[fuelish]

You can get silver solder form a welding supply. You can also get it from RadioShack

 

[robn1]

"Silver Bearing" is what you're looking for, it's much stronger than the electrical type. It also has a higher melting temp, so you'll need a torch. I use this one, it's cheap and has a self igniter http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41169

 

[dcarty]

I like the pen torch! I have one of these currently:

http://www.solderit.com/mj300.html

I would think the pen torch would give you more precise control. I found just the stuff I need at Radio Shack. I wanted to make sure I have something that is strong enough but the melting temp wont disturb the brass (I was initially looking online at some brazing materials with melting temps three times what this stuff is--a bit of overkill--lol).

 

[exoray]

You can get all sorts of it on Ebay...

FYI brass will flux out pretty well without any special flux so just get some regular ROSIN core flux core silver bearing solder, all over Ebay for about $10...

Here is the first one on an Ebay search I just did...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kester-48-Silve...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5190cac676

You can get higher silver content for a stronger bond but it's IMO overkill for this application...

 

[Firefoxm31]

want the good stuff??? contact muggyweld

I bought some to restore a set of 89 Lamborghini Countach's turn signal light buckets for a friend, worked great

Will

http://www.muggyweld.com/index2.html