Melting point of soft solder

[Pre-1898]

I would like to have my gun barrel coated with Gun Kote, but I have my sight ( front and rear) soldered with soft solder. Now since the part will have to be in a oven at 325 degree for an our, I would like to know if my soldered sights will survive such heat or if I shall look for another type of gun finish

 

[Rudy H]

Solder can start to melt at about 183 degrees Celsius or about 360 Fahrenheit. It depends on the tin lead percentage. This was for 63/37 solder. Others would have a higher temperature. You may be ok if you can keep the temperature controlled. It would depend on the oven used. A comercial unit with a lot of air movement may work. Other than that it would be risky.

 

[Tick]

Solder melting points

Tin-Copper 227°c = 440°F
Tin-Silver 221°c = 430°F
Tin-Silver-Copper 217°c = 422°F
Tin-Silver-Bismuth 205°c to 215°c = 410°F
Tin-Zinc 199°c = 390°F
Tin-Lead 183°c = 361°F
Tin-Bismuth 138°c = 280°F


Easy Flow 45 a silver brazing used by many smiths for this type of work has a working temp of 1125°F to 1310°F

Tick

 

[Pre-1898]

My gunsmith told me it would melt about at the same temperature as it take to melt regular lead. He offered to give me a piece of that solder so I can test it in my oven at 325 F for an hour, and see if the solder remains solid . If I go by the information you guys provided me, I guess it shall be safe to do it without melting down my sights solder.

 

[Pre-1898]

Have tried a piece of the same solder in the oven at 325F, had twisted the wire in such way that it was standing up in the pan.One hour later the wire still standing up in the pan, No collaps, No melting. I guess It will be fine !

 

[Gibbs505]

Keep us informed as to your progress thanks!

 

[sunray]

"...guess It will be fine..." It might be while in the over, but sooner or later that soft solder is going to let go. Use silver solder and it has to go on bare metal.

 

[Pre-1898]

"...guess It will be fine..." It might be while in the over, but sooner or later that soft solder is going to let go. Use silver solder and it has to go on bare metal.[/QUOTE

Hope NOT !! It was installed by a qualified gunsmith, and for some reason he chose to use soft solder. He told me it was solid enough to hold that sight. I have not much knowledge of solder , but I surely hope you are wrong when you say it will eventually let go.