Need Help Soldering

[Exodus5000]

So here's my problem.

I have 3 pieces of spring steel (from a plumbing snake) that I want to solder together. One piece is a pick and the other two are to create a larger handle. I went to the hardware store and bought a soldering kit, which includes flux, a brush, a scrubber, and of course the lead free solder coiled up around a spindle.

My problem is that I cannot get the solder to flow very well when I apply heat from the torch.

In case it helps here's the method I've been using:

1.) Clean the metal.
2.) Use metal clamps to hold the three pieces together.
3.) Apply a thin coat of flux where I want the solder to flow.
4.) With a tin snips, cut little pieces of solder and place them across the area that I want solder to flow.
5.) Apply heat with a torch.

What ends up happening is that the solder bits just form into balls that sit on the edge of my pick and don't flow along the flux. I MUST be doing something wrong and would greatly appreciate some help from anyone knowledgable.

Thanks guys.

[zeke79]

You are not getting the pieces hot enough. The solder will not flow until the parts are at the right temp.

[scorpiac]

I used to suck at soldering until I discovered rosin core solder. I think I got it at Canadian Tire or it could have been Radio Shack. Anyway it's basically a fine solder that's hollow with flux (or rosin in the middle) with this you don't need to use flux or anything else with it, just heat the part you want to solder and then touch the solder to it and it flows great all by itself. Now my soldering is much prettier I've only used this on copper wiring so I'm not sure how well it will work with other metal. Hope this helps.

Phil.

[cjames73]

try heating your 'balls' with a small blow torch

[bumpit]

I agree with Zeke. Get the peice you want to Soilder hot with the torch and dont use the torch on the soilder. You should be able to touch the soilder ont he peice of metal and it should melt on contact. Keep things HOT

[Kaotik]

I have experienced that even heating the metal up red hot, which is way more than adequite will still not work. This is because the rosin solder will not stick to metals with carbon.

Rosin based flux is meant for Brass, Bronze, Cadmium, Copper, Silver, Lead, Gun Metal, and tinned Steels.

If a welder is not accessable, you can try to braze it together. The cheapest method of doing so would be to clean the metal with Isopropyl alcohol or a wax and grease romover, clamp the pieces together but not directly near the place your bonding as the clamp will absorb much of the heat and it will take longer to heat up. Heat the metal along with the end of a wire clothes hanger until the wire begins to flow over the pieces of metal. If that doesn't work you may need to get some Borax and use it as flux and try again.

[Wreckmaster]

If you put the steps you are doing in the order you are doing it, then I see a potential problem.

Apply the flux to the surfaces where you want the solder to go. That should be between the pieces, not just on the surface. Apply the flux before you clamp it.

Second, you can leave the solder on the roll, it will be stiff enough hold its shape.

Third, apply the solder after it is hot.


As far as the comments regarding metals with carbon, I can not confirm that. But, if it is true, you could probably get away with a good two-part epoxy to bond the materials.

[Exodus5000]

Thanks for the help everyone. I'll try applying my flux between the metal as well. Then I'll get everything nice and hot and apply the solder. I'll see if that works. If it still doesn't flow then I'll know it's due to the metal I'm trying to solder together.

I'll be working on this project again tommorow, and either way it works I'll report back on my progress.

[CVScam]

I worked for 2 summers at an electronics company and I don't know of any way to solder high carbon/spring steel. The way I test if something can be soldered is just heat it up and see if the solder "sticks" to it or just beads and runs off the metal.

[lancelot6840]

Even if you can solder it together, it won't hold for very long. It just won't be strong enough. It would be better to weld it together.

[bumpit]

I could TIG weld it for you if you pay shipping

[bumpit]

Sorry for the double post but I can do any process of welding you want for it.

[WDPaladin]

Do a search on the metal types; different solders only work on certain metals, though the catagories are broad. Key aspect from where I'm coming from is to find the right solder for what metals your trying to join. I spent pointless hours trying to solder metals that dont blend at an eyeglass shop repairing frames until I decided to ask the supply company whats wrong- after speaking with a tech things were easy as easy could be. Good luck..

[maxxed]

I would suggest trying a product called J B Weld. This is an epoxy mix that cures into a metal like finish that can be machined. I have used it to attach metal to metal and metal to wood, so I'm sure it will work well for attaching your handles and won't remove the temper from the metal

[Buggs41]

Gorilla Glue should do the trick.