What type of flux

ric0shay

ric0shay

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What type of flux should I use for soldering on front sights. Hi Force 44 solder is the solder I have, Brownells cancelled the Ultra flux do to the carrier's policy.
There are 3 different types of flux I have used. A borax type (comes in a solid cone) seems to be the best but it's still left wanting.
 
I am very interested in an answer, also. To clarify, I see that Brownells Hi-Force 44 listed with #4 Comet flux as recommended. Appears to me to be made of unobtanium?? 4% Silver, 96% Tin, flows at 475 F. They also show Hi-Temp Hi-Force 44 which is 5% silver, 95% Cadmium and much higher flow temp - 650 F - ish, and recommends Copper Bond flux. Nice to be able to get the 4% Silver / 96% Hi-Force 44 from them to Canada, but kind of useless without appropriate flux. Somebody this side of the 49th must do this??
 
For silver solder, I just get mine at my local Praxair, and use borax (washing soda) for flux. More important is clean the metal, and use enough heat; if one of the two parts are cold, it will not flow and bond properly no matter what flux you use.
 
ronnie01 said:
A sponsor www.westernmetal.ca/soldering/handy-flux-hf5lb

They should be able to fix u up.

R
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Looks good - thank you. I see from their website that they have Sil-Fos" solder which lead me to that manufacturers site "http://www.silfos.com/index.html" where I found "Silvabrite" (Clean & Brite) solder which appears equivalent to Hi-Force 44 - 4% Silver, 96% Tin, flows at 430F. From the technical document, note the different fluxes recommended for different base materials: "Silvabrite alloys provide satisfactory color match for stainless steel assemblies. When used with TEC flux or Liquid Solder Flux, Silvabrite alloys will readily wet stainless steel base metals. Silvabrite can also be used for copper, brass or steel base materials when paired with Silvabrite Paste Soldering Flux/Clean ‘n Brite Flux."

If you go to the "resellers" tab, they appear to have numerous vendors in most Canadian provinces, as well as an office in Ontario.

I would be hesitant to use "silver solder", Hi-Temp, Silver braze on gun barrels - I note their melting temps are 1,100F and more. Would require heat sink? Packing bore to prevent scale? Re-tempering/heat treating?

Regarding borax - I just looked at my box of Arm and Hammer washing soda - it is Sodium Carbonate, Na2CO3, not borax (Sodium Borate Na2B4O7·10H2O), so maybe there are various products referred to as "washing soda"?
 
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You can get all kinds of solder and flux at Gesswein Canada. Depending on the amount of silver in a solder the temp can be very hi. 44% silver requires almost a red heat and Handy Flux will not work unless things are really hot.
 
josh1976 said:
Silver solder and flux. Same as above poster mentions. Ive used it many times and it works great. Practice on some scrap 1st...
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I'm an old welder so practice goes without saying. Try similar sized pieces and keep trying until it is second nature; then just do it!
 
Potashminer said:
Looks good - thank you. I see from their website that they have Sil-Fos" solder which lead me to that manufacturers site "http://www.silfos.com/index.html" where I found "Silvabrite" (Clean & Brite) solder which appears equivalent to Hi-Force 44 - 4% Silver, 96% Tin, flows at 430F. From the technical document, note the different fluxes recommended for different base materials: "Silvabrite alloys provide satisfactory color match for stainless steel assemblies. When used with TEC flux or Liquid Solder Flux, Silvabrite alloys will readily wet stainless steel base metals. Silvabrite can also be used for copper, brass or steel base materials when paired with Silvabrite Paste Soldering Flux/Clean ‘n Brite Flux."

If you go to the "resellers" tab, they appear to have numerous vendors in most Canadian provinces, as well as an office in Ontario.

I would be hesitant to use "silver solder", Hi-Temp, Silver braze on gun barrels - I note their melting temps are 1,100F and more. Would require heat sink? Packing bore to prevent scale? Re-tempering/heat treating?

Regarding borax - I just looked at my box of Arm and Hammer washing soda - it is Sodium Carbonate, Na2CO3, not borax (Sodium Borate Na2B4O7·10H2O), so maybe there are various products referred to as "washing soda"?
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The mule team stuff: http://purexlaundry.ca/products/laundry-enhancers/20-mule-team-borax; no Sodium Carbonate.
 
Just an update, as I finally received the stuff today. As above, Force 44 solder from Brownells is 4% Silver, 96% tin. Brownells recommends Comet#4 as the appropriate flux which apparently is not available in Canada. On Amazon.ca, of all places, I found Harris brand "Stay Brite" SB31 solder which is also 4% Silver and 96% tin. Also found Harris brand "Stay-Clean" SCPF4 paste soldering flux for use with that solder. Ordered both and they did show up here in Manitoba.
Hope the information helps all y'all.
I've read several references where high percentage "silver solder" is actually silver brazing and requires temperatures over 1,000 F which can damage the heat treat of the materials being joined; the 4% silver solder flows about 430 F and provides a significant increase in joint strength compared to old school lead/tin plumber solder, without risking the heat treat of the materials.
 
Meroh said:
For silver solder, I just get mine at my local Praxair...
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I've heard this from others from time to time. Most Brownells products are just regularly-available commercial products with the Brownells label on them. If you know the makeup of the Brownells product you want, I think most welding supply shops can provide you with the same stuff and the appropriate flux.
 
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