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Post by misfit446 on Mar 1, 2016 10:54:12 GMT -5
What is best to use on scale copper plumbing on 1" scale locos? And where can I buy it? Any thoughts? Thanks.
C.
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Post by Ed Hume on Mar 1, 2016 13:05:36 GMT -5
Hi C.,
Silver solder that contains cadmium is still around because it wets and spreads a lot better than other compositions that do not contain cadmium. The composition I recommend is BAg-1 which is 45% Ag with Cd. You will want to do your soldering in a well ventilated area such as at your open garage door with the flame blowing outward. You can get silver solder and white flux from McMaster-Carr (mcmaster.com) or from specialty suppliers such as SRA sra-solder.com. Ordinary white flux works well for copper, bronze, and brass. For soldering steel, you want to get some higher temperature black flux. Since you seem to be new to this, do some experimentation with scrap joints and get a feel for it before soldering your bent tubing. Cleanliness of the metals is very important. I use a small ultrasonic bath that I got from MicroMark to clean parts before soldering. You will also want a pickling bath of 10% sulphuric acid. You may be able to buy 20% acid for batteries, or you may be able to buy concentrated sulphuric acid at the hardware store being sold for drain cleaner.
Good Luck,
Ed
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