I could go to the gunsmithing section for this...

Doc Hoy · April 10, 2012, 08:58 AM

...but I am much more at ease with you guys.

It is time I do some silver soldering and I need some info.

What alloy solder do you use?

What source of heat do you use?

The application is a brass frame and a steel arbor for example.

I am good with soldering electronic components with an iron, and copper tubing with a propane torch. I can braise with an acetylene torch. But I never did any silver soldering.

darkroommike · April 10, 2012, 09:54 AM

NOT an expert, but silver soldering is more like brazing than soldering. Different alloys require different fluxes. Parts should be a tight mechanical fit, silver solder is not gap filling. Google is your friend.

Doc Hoy · April 11, 2012, 07:17 AM

I see several different alloys of the solder and am still wondering what the smart guys are using for the application I am speaking of.

Perhaps it does not matter.

Hawg · April 11, 2012, 10:06 AM

Doc, I'm no expert on silver soldering but it sounds like you're wanting to solder an arbor back in place. Silver solder is so much softer than brass I doubt it holding up if that's the case.

Doc Hoy · April 11, 2012, 03:45 PM

Yes an arbor.

And yes I am concerned too about the strength of the finished project.

Another thing I want to try is soldering a replacement recoil shield ring onto a Colt frame.

Mostly these projects are just experiments to build my skill.

April 10, 2012, 08:58 AM	#1
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I could go to the gunsmithing section for this... ...but I am much more at ease with you guys. It is time I do some silver soldering and I need some info. What alloy solder do you use? What source of heat do you use? The application is a brass frame and a steel arbor for example. I am good with soldering electronic components with an iron, and copper tubing with a propane torch. I can braise with an acetylene torch. But I never did any silver soldering. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 11, 2012, 07:17 AM	#3
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Thanks DRM. I see several different alloys of the solder and am still wondering what the smart guys are using for the application I am speaking of. Perhaps it does not matter. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 11, 2012, 03:45 PM	#5
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	Hawg, Yes an arbor. And yes I am concerned too about the strength of the finished project. Another thing I want to try is soldering a replacement recoil shield ring onto a Colt frame. Mostly these projects are just experiments to build my skill. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

April 10, 2012, 09:54 AM	#2
darkroommike Senior Member Join Date: August 27, 2011 Location: western Iowa Posts: 205	NOT an expert, but silver soldering is more like brazing than soldering. Different alloys require different fluxes. Parts should be a tight mechanical fit, silver solder is not gap filling. Google is your friend.

April 11, 2012, 10:06 AM	#4
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	Doc, I'm no expert on silver soldering but it sounds like you're wanting to solder an arbor back in place. Silver solder is so much softer than brass I doubt it holding up if that's the case.