RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 12, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 12, 2019 (edited) Advice please on tinning 28 swg/0.33mm spring steel wire please. I've tried various fluxes, Orange Label, Green Label and Copalux and conventional lead/tin solder with some limited success. I need to fix it to Sommerfeldt catenary posts which the hangers are copper plated steel. I ask it here because I can't find any thread specific to soldering. Maybe I've missed it somewhere. Thanks. Edited September 12, 2019 by Re6/6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Siberian Snooper Posted September 12, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 12, 2019 How about Powerflow flux? as used by plumbers. Not tried it, only a suggestion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doilum Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 Old school resin cored electricians solder out performs modern types. As mentioned elsewhere, this was my fallback solution when tackling the weird nickel silver used in the Hachette Scotsman. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold tomparryharry Posted September 12, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 12, 2019 Hang on, I'll have a look! Lets see... For my copperwork, I'm using 'Everflux', which is a water-soluble based flux. (white tube, blue lid) . I use this on all of my copper based work, and it's always worked well for me. I normally get mine from Plumb Center. Others do it, but I know 'they' usually stock it. No commercial connection, just a regular end-user. Cheers, Ian. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold markjj Posted September 12, 2019 RMweb Gold Share Posted September 12, 2019 Buy some of this it will even solder stainless screws etc. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F262907128467 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Dave John Posted September 12, 2019 RMweb Premium Share Posted September 12, 2019 Hmm, Spring steel is awkward. I tin it first, Bakers fluid flux , real 60/40 solder, clean it well afterwards. My main use of it is Alex Jackson couplings. These days I always buy the plated guitar strings which I find easier to solder and much more corrosion resistant long term. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Re6/6 Posted September 12, 2019 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted September 12, 2019 Many thanks all. Much appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobjUK Posted September 12, 2019 Share Posted September 12, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, markjj said: Buy some of this it will even solder stainless screws etc. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F262907128467 Ouch - that's just a bit on the expensive side. It is probably Alu-sol, I've had a reel of that for decades & still got a good amount left. The flux reaction seems near nuclear, the solder will flow on aluminium without too much difficulty and such as stainless and piano wire are a doddle. It's not cheap, but a half kilo reel is about the same cost as four or five short bits off ebay: https://cpc.farnell.com/multicore-solder/629443/solder-alusol-0-91mm-500g/dp/SD00059 [Edit - RS have the same thing rather cheaper: https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solders/0555099/ ] My antique: Edited September 12, 2019 by RobjUK Update 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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