Soft solder is an alloy of lead and tin, and is used for jointing purposes with the aid of soldering flux.
It is made from two base metals TIN and LEAD. Tin has a melting point of 232° C, (450° F) and Lead 327° C (621° F) but when mixed together to make solder the alloy has a lower melting point than either of the two base metals used in its manufacture, and commences to melt at 183° C (359″ F).
Soldering provides the easiest method of joining two or more metals. It does not require expensive tools and the technique is quickly learned.
Any one can solder and we hope that this blog will show just how easy it can be.
Hint No. 1
Choosing the right material
is the first and most important step towards successful soldering. Briefly — a medium size soldering iron (4-6 oz. bit) a stick of Fry’s solder, file, emery cloth and a tin of FLUXITE.
We mention Fry’s solder because the quality is consistently good and reliable and it has good flow properties. A gritty solder is wasteful and unreliable.
Hint No. 2
Cleaning the bit
Solder will not adhere to a dirty or greasy bit, so whether the iron is new or old it must be filed clean and bright on its working surfaces for a distance of 3’’/4.
An emery cloth or file can be used; a file is generally preferred but don’t file off too much of the copper bit — just sufficient to remove pitting or scale and get a clean surface.
The bit is now ready for tinning.
Hint No. 3
Heating the bit a
A clean flame such as a gas ring is best. Care must be taken not to allow the bit to become red hot. If it is overheated, heavy scaling will occur and this will mean re-filing and unnecessary wear on the bit.
When the flame turns green, the bit is at the right temperature.
With electric irons the heat is automatically controlled at the correct temperature.
Hint No. 4
Tinning the bit
- Lay a small piece of solder, together with a little FLUXITE in a shallow tin lid.
- Dip the heated bit in Fluxite to obtain a complete coating of flux; then rub the fluxed bit on a piece of solder to obtain a film of solder over the copper bit. This will protect and increase its life.
- Surplus solder on the bit can be wiped off with a clean cloth leaving a clean smooth surface of solder.
All you need is a fine film of solder; thick dabs and patches are wasteful.
Hint No. 5
Cleaning the surface
Solder will not adhere to a dirty surface; all metals have a covering of oxide or grease even though it may not be apparent to the naked eye… but this oxide film will prevent the solder from bonding to the metal to be soldered.
So first of all clean the surface bright with coarse emery or steel wool and then smear on FLUXITE with a piece of cloth or stick.
Hint No. 6 :
Applying Fluxite
Dirt and grease have been removed, but however thoroughly this has been done, the surfaces are still not conditioned for solder as there may still be a fine oxide film which prevents thorough bonding.
This is where Fluxite comes in. . . it makes the surfaces specially clean, so that the molten solder can flow and penetrate into the base metal.
Hint No. 7
Re-heating and charging the bit
Re-heat the bit until a green flame shows around it. Take care not to overheat and destroy the tinning on the bit.
Dip solder stick in FLUXITE and hold it to the tinned face of the bit until a fair sized globule of molten solder adheres to the bit.
Hint No. 8
Applying the solder
Apply a bit charged with molten solder to the job previously smeared with FLUXITE. The solder will flow as soon as the surrounding surface is heated to the melting point of the solder.
The length of joint that can be soldered before the bit is recharged with solder depends on the size of the iron, the temperature and the size of the job; the larger work loses heat more quickly and constant recharging of the iron will be necessary.
Hint No. 9
Joining two surfaces (1)
When soldering a patch, or joining two pieces of metal together, both surfaces must be cleaned with emery and smeared with FLUXITE. Then apply the soldering iron evenly and smoothly to give a good ‘tinning’.
Two different metals can be soldered together excepting aluminium and its alloys.
For example you can join two pieces of brass, copper, steel, bronze, etc. or brass to copper, brass to iron, brass to steel, copper to steel, steel to iron, copper to tinplate, tinplate to steel, etc., etc.
Hint No. 10
Joining Two surfaces (2)
Having tinned both facing surfaces, hold the repair piece in position with the corner of the file then run re-heated iron over it until the solder of the two tinned surfaces re-melts and fuses together.
Whilst the solder is solidifying care must be taken not to move or jolt the joint members; preferably they should be clamped together during the soldering operation, or held firmly by a file or other handy tool.
Hint No. 11
Keeping the bit hot
Don’t leave the iron in the flame; it will burn away the tinning and give a dirty surface to the “bit”.
Place the bit just outside the heating flame—about ½’’ or 1’’ away from it—and occasionally apply FLUXITE to keep the iron hot and ready for further immediate use.
Overheating burns away the tinning, spoils the bit and leaves a mottled surface which will have to be re-filed and re-tinned. It will shorten the life of the soldering iron and lead to poor workmanship.
Be guided by the green flame which appears around the bit as soon as it reaches the right heat.
Hint No. 12
The importance of cleanliness
Remember the key word to successful soldering cleanliness.
Filing or using emery cloth makes the joint mechanically clean, but there is always present a film of oxide or grease which may not be visible to the naked eye.
That is were Fluxite is so useful —it will chemically remove the oxide and grease and maintain a clean surface to which the solder will bond.
Conclusion:
Solder – Good quality Solder is made by Fry’s. It is easy to apply, strong and ensures sound workmanship.
FLUX – What’s the first name that comes to mind when you think of soldering? FLUXITE, of course. And no wonder! FLUXITE is the Soldering Paste—it has been the obvious choice of leading Engineers, Industrialists and Government. Works ever since it was introduced, nearly fifty years ago. Pin your faith to FLUXITE and you can forget your soldering worries. FLUXITE Soldering Paste, by its consistent quality and efficient performance, simplifies soldering as nothing else can—hundreds of thousands of users the world over prove it every day!
Soldering – It really is as easy as shown in the hints. Fluxite is sold at all ironmongers and tool dealers so buy a tin today and do some real soldering.