Page 1 of 1

Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 8:33 pm
by RubberToe
Ok this should be simple but I keep fucking it up. I got this cheap silver solder and flux from Crappy Tire, as well as a MAPP torch.

I'm trying to solder a stainless nut onto my kettle for a ground wire.

Cleaned all surfaces with acetone after scuffing with a scratch pad, added flux, hit with the torch, solder beads and wont flow.

I have tried heating it gently, and also more agressively. Now I'm fucking up my nice new kettle after heating it red hot.

Ironically I soldered a copper ground wire to my old keggle with only a propane torch and plumbing solder / flux.
uploadfromtaptalk1377559983397.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1377560003467.jpg
Sent from the brew timer.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:00 pm
by AllanMar
It's the flux. I've tried a few and I only had success with one:
http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/en/P ... -Flux.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm sure there is others that work around, but this is the most common one used it seems. I have a big bottle of it, I'll check if its here or at my buddys. If its here your welcome to borrow it.

I also found propane a bit easier (although slower) as its slower to heat and easier to prevent burning the flux. You've got to be careful not to apply direct heat to the flux and burn it.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:00 pm
by mr x
I'm not sure you have the right solder there. That looks pretty heavy. I have some concerns about that flux too. You really need the right stuff. Practice on scrap first.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:14 pm
by mr x
It depends what kind of flux you use as to the heat it will take. I use high silver content solder which requires red hot metal. The flux scortches and vaporizes. But it still works. If allan doesn't have any Harris left, I have some of the stuff I use you can try.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:16 pm
by AllanMar
Turns out I don't have it here. It would likely be sometime before I could get it.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:19 pm
by RubberToe

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:19 pm
by RubberToe
AllanMar wrote:Turns out I don't have it here. It would likely be sometime before I could get it.
Ok, thanks anyway.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:20 pm
by RubberToe
mr x wrote:It depends what kind of flux you use as to the heat it will take. I use high silver content solder which requires red hot metal. The flux scortches and vaporizes. But it still works. If allan doesn't have any Harris left, I have some of the stuff I use you can try.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
In Halifax? I'm trying to get this together so I can brew like mad this weekend.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 9:25 pm
by mr x
No, and I won't be up this weekend. Look for this at welding stores, or probably Auckland grainger. Hvac guys would have it, might tell you where to buy some.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 3:43 pm
by mr x
Where did you get with this?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 4:04 pm
by RubberToe
Got to the point where I said fuck it and grounded it to the inside of the box. Tested connectivity to the kettle. I'll make it better once I get some flux or get feet welded onto it. Also want to do wlded or soldered bottom drain.

Sent from the brew timer.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2013 4:26 pm
by AllanMar
I've got a tool made up for dimpling holes for soldering as well. It was built for 1" Tri-Clamps (also have one for 2"), but Im fairly sure it would work for 1/2" NPT couplers as well.

Once I can get a hold of the flux, your welcome to borrow this as well. (viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3223" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 5:20 pm
by ratchet
give these guys a call, they should be able to sell you the right solder and flux.

B Harris Welding Services Ltd
55 Mosher Dr - Dartmouth NS
(902) 468-6255

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:12 am
by rypalmer
RubberToe wrote:Got to the point where I said fuck it and grounded it to the inside of the box. Tested connectivity to the kettle. I'll make it better once I get some flux or get feet welded onto it.
This is what I was going to suggest. There is plenty of connectivity between my ground wire and my pot. I believe Kal advocates certain measures to achieve said grounding: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/heati ... nts?page=5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; The screws and the contact in general between the back plate and the box would be the important part, I believe.

Re: Help with soldering stainless

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:13 am
by bluenose
if it's a keg, could you screw through the skirting part at the bottom and screw the ground wire to it that way?