silver solder project

[TRG-42]

Because Brownell's is almost a one stop shopping center for the gunsmith and they researched and came out with Force 44 long, long, long time ago... and Force 44 also takes bluing.

Sorry, wasn't trying to sound blunt. What I should have said is Force 44 is just trade name for a very standard silver solder ( ASTM B32 Grade SN96 ) . B32 is the classification standard for solders . SN96 means Tin 96% 4% , which is what Force 44 is. It is readily available in all industrial welding supply stores. Every manufacturer of industrial solder products makes this grade

My intention was to give people an alternative to Brownells for this common silver solder.

 

[thump_rrr]

Any refrigeration wholesaler will have everything you need.
I prefer 45% silvaloy for high temp work.

COMPOSITION:
Silver 45.0 wt%
Copper 15.0 wt%
Zinc 16.0 wt%
Cadmium 24.0 wt%
Total other elements 0.15 wt% Max.
http://www.silvaloy.com/docs/Tech%20Sheets/wjt-td-Silvaloy%2045.pdf

For lower temp work I prefer Stay-Brite 8 which contains 6% silver and 94% tin
http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/en/Products/Alloys/Soldering/Lead-Free-Solders/Stay-Brite-8.aspx

 

[buckbrush]

I would recommend Brownell's Force 44 solder... it is a low temperature solder much like regular soft solder but it is not affected by bluing salts nor will it harm bluing salts as the rest of the soft solders do. It is much easier to work with over traditional silver solders which require heating steel red hot.

this is what you want to use, getting the proper flux for it is not possible because of shipping regulations from Brownells, but the Manufacturer ships to Canada. (Comet flux)

 

[10x]

I learned this trick from Brian Hammond ( the Game Getter guy) who used it in silver soldering lab equipment.
Silver solder needs just a little space for the solder. Clamping it too tight and heating will cause the solder to squeeze out. To get a really strong silver solder bond place 4 light dimples with a center punch on the piece to be soldered. It does not have to be much but a small dent will raise the metal around it 0.0003" and that leaves space for the solder. If the solder does not have that space then the joint will be weak.
The same is true of epoxy materials. Clamp it too tight and the epoxy squeezes out leaving metal on metal with no bond.

 

[DOOK]

Good one. I will remember that!