Soldering question

Deimos

New Member

• Aug 18, 2018

• #1

Has anyone ever soldered piano wire? (Piano wire aka as "music wire"). It's made of high carbon [spring] steel.

I want to solder 1mm piano wire to copper wire.

K&S Engineering sells short pieces in diameters from .015" to .047" ( ~.4mm- 1.2mm). Product info says it can be soldered.

I just want to know (before I order the stuff) if anyone has soldered it and how it worked out; and, if so, I would very much appreciate any hints/advice/warnings in working with it.

(I am comfortable using a soldering iron...wielded one for my job my whole adult life.)

Thanks

 

zapwizard

Sr Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Aug 18, 2018

• #2

I don't think that high carbon steel would take solder well. You may need to use a more physical attachment, such as a crimp connection. Like those used to join steel rope.

 

airhead

Sr Member

• Aug 19, 2018

• #3

I've never soldered piano wire, but it seems like with a good cleaning and light sanding to expose fresh metal, plus a good flux, it should work. You may need an acid flux, maybe.

 

Mach

Well-Known Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Aug 19, 2018

• #4

For decorative purposes, I'd try a Staybrite #8 solder for the easiest connection. If its going to require more strength you can try brazing it or using a hard silver solder. For a load bearing connection, crimp or other mechanical connector would be better

 

penabled

New Member

• Aug 19, 2018

• #5

I've soldered copper to steel in the past and every time the joint flexed the solder would break sufficiently to loose the electrical connection enough that I got tired of it and just crimped it onto the steel. Likely I just had cold solder joints onto the steel but it became such a pain to maintain that crimping was ultimately the better solution.

 

TazMan2000

Master Member

• Aug 19, 2018

• #6

Yes, acid flux solder and a good soldering iron. Ensure it gets really hot. Pre treat with acid flux.

TazMan2000

 

Funky

Master Member

RPF PREMIUM MEMBER

• Aug 20, 2018

• #7

TazMan2000 said:

Yes, acid flux solder and a good soldering iron. Ensure it gets really hot. Pre treat with acid flux.

TazMan2000

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And if acid flux gets too bad try Zantac.

 

19narvik40

Sr Member

• Aug 20, 2018

• #8

Funky said:

And if acid flux gets too bad try Zantac.

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