Making things with Brass rod/pipe - Method tips please

[Lord Ferguson]

Hello Boys...

I'm wanting to make small brass things (out of pipe/rod probably) - And I haven't got a clue how to attach them together - I assume it is solder that you use - Can anyone give me the benefit of their wisdom please and explain the following;

1. How do you attach things together (is it solder or something else)

2. What equipment will I need to get me started (Do you need a special solder/iron etc.)

3. Assuming it is solder - a few pointers on how to do it - How hot etc etc.

I'm hoping to start with a 5 bar gate from tubing if you don't think that's a little ambitious for a first attempt.

[FB]

have some simple ideas you can try, i'll tell you later!

[JC]

Powerstar as already put a small "induction"  thread up about this Mark, it shouldn't take much finding. 

I would recommend using rod until you've got the hang of it.

[FB]

http://www.britains-tractors.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3927.0

:)

[Lord Ferguson]

Thanks boys.... - Going by this from FP...

you use brass rod then powerstar?,i was told to use silver solder by the local hobbies shop,so i would join by soldering not welding/brazing like you do,mm,will have to see how the solder option comes  out first ,then maybe try your way

Silver solder for brass, brass rod for mild steel. 

Do I need to solder then and not braze 

[JC]

Silver solder melts at an higher temperature than solder does, it's also a lot stronger.

[JC]

Thanks boys.... - Going by this from FP...

you use brass rod then powerstar?,i was told to use silver solder by the local hobbies shop,so i would join by soldering not welding/brazing like you do,mm,will have to see how the solder option comes? out first ,then maybe try your way

Silver solder for brass, brass rod for mild steel.?

Do I need to solder then and not braze?

Mmmm, that was TM.  :

[FB]

i wondered how you figured that out FP :D :

any luck yet Marky  ???

[Lord Ferguson]

Mmmm, that was TM.? :

Last line was your though Doc - Silver solder for brass, brass rod for mild steel.  So is Silver Solder what I should use then  - Is that the same process (flux same etc.)

[JC]

Its a long time since I've done any Mark, silver solder is stronger and you seem to get a better finish too. Try some normal solder first as that will be easier, its the same sort of principal with each, ie; clean all surfaces, add heat and flux etc..... the silver solder requires more heat though.

[Lord Ferguson]

Thanks Ben (Just kidding) Doc - Would that be glowing red for Silver Solder then (and perhaps less for normal lead/tin solder)  ??? - Sorry to ask so many questions but I want to be sure before I start 

[JC]

Red for silver solder, hot for normal.

[Lord Ferguson]

Thanks Doc - what are the disadvantages of using normal solder - is it a weaker join 

[JC]

Thanks Doc - what are the disadvantages of using normal solder - is it a weaker join?

Yes, it should do for what you want though...... I think TM has just done some soldering on his combine, not sure what he has used.  \

[Lord Ferguson]

Thanks FP - TM when you read this can you give us your comments please 

[Tractorman810]

i can,for the brass rod i just solder it,using normal eletrical solder and a iron,sometimes superglue it to if theres a few joins in close proximity,after powerstars post i did check at the local hobbie shop and that was the cheapest way the suggested,one of them uses this method on the sclae trains he builds ,for fine work and brazes like powerstar for the bigger stuff

hope that helps

[Lord Ferguson]

Yes it does help - thanks very much TM - Sound like normal solder wil do for my 5 bar gate then 

[fenryk]

Try a model shop again Mark.  Carrs do a specific solder for brass along with a specific flux.  I believe it uses a higher temperature than normal electrical type solder.  You could always look at the adds in Railway Modeller in Smith's Lending Library!

[Lord Ferguson]

Thanks Fenryk - we have a good railway modeling shop in Cambridge - I'll go and have a look this week 

[Tractorman810]

yeah there is a better solder avaiable,which they said you need a mini blow torch flame for when soldering,as it is a higher temp ment,but they did say it was a lot more expensive compaired to a soldering iron and normal solder,especially for fine work ,also the heat can warp smaller gauge rod ect,was the other factor they said to consider

[Lord Ferguson]

I'd like to avoid a naked flame if I can - for obvious reasons 

[Tractorman810]

yeah don't want a mcmormrick man moment do we

[Lord Ferguson]

Not in my little workshop - Especially after 300 spud boxes on my bandsaw - I've given up cleaning the dust just now - may be a tad explosive 

[fenryk]

The idea of Carr's solders is that you use them with an ordinary soldering iron, though it might need to be a powerful one.  It's Carr's 224 solder which I think means 224 degrees Celcius.  See  http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/index.html?http%3A//www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Chronos_Catalogue_Carrs_Solders___Fluxes___etc_189.html&CatalogBody

[Lord Ferguson]

Thanks Fenryk... looks like that handbook would be a valuable read before hand - anyone want to buy it and lend it to me