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Post by daveb1 on Sept 9, 2011 11:43:40 GMT -5
Hi all,
I am having a problem soldering the tubes to the firebox tube sheet. I have tried it three times and the solder spreads out on the tubesheet rather than filling the seam. I am using steelwool and acid to clean the parts to no avail. I am using a large sievert burner and seem to have plenty of heat. I am also using Kozos method as outlined in the book. Any idea on what I am doing wrong. Thanks
Dave
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Post by kvom on Sept 9, 2011 17:06:08 GMT -5
bad flux?
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Post by grege on Sept 10, 2011 7:42:03 GMT -5
I think the tubes may not be getting up to the same temp as the tubesheet. If you have it set up per Kozo's drawings, with the tubes vertical and the tubesheet at the top, I might try focusing lower down on the tubes to heat them some before pointing the torch up to heat the underside of the tubesheet and tubes together.
Another save when you are in the middle of soldering and it melts onto the tubesheet- would be to quick move the torch above the assembly and point the torch down at the tube ends to heat them up. I've had that cause the solder to wick back into the joints.
Good luck! Learning to get the heat controlled properly is a major skill in building the boiler. Different sized parts need to all get to the same temp at the same time.
Greg
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Post by daveb1 on Sept 10, 2011 11:41:30 GMT -5
Hi Greg, you win the prize. I was not heating the tubes low enough. This last try worked perfectly. I did one addional think, put fiber cloth in the tubes. You are right, heat control is an art for a beginner like me. Again thanks for the info.
Kvom, what cause flux to go bad. Didn't know that could happen.
Dave
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Post by kvom on Sept 10, 2011 12:25:40 GMT -5
I meant the wrong type of flux or in the wrong place. Glad it worked for you.
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Post by grege on Sept 11, 2011 7:14:29 GMT -5
I'm glad it worked!
I had to make 2 or 3 tries on a lot of the early boiler components to get the right combo of heat location, and solder quantity.
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Post by pkastagehand on Sept 13, 2011 10:21:43 GMT -5
I haven't tried it but Kozo (or maybe I read it somewhere else) describes using a pencil line around a solder area to "fence" off areas you don't want solder to go. The graphite keeps the solder from going past somehow.
Paul
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Post by daveb1 on Sept 13, 2011 11:05:45 GMT -5
Hi Paul, haven't heard that one. It could be very useful. I'll try it the next time.
Dave
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Post by mike44 on Feb 18, 2019 19:02:55 GMT -5
Hi Paul, haven't heard that one. It could be very useful. I'll try it the next time. Dave Whiteout used for erasing mistakes also works. mike |
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