I use the following procedure when soldering things to buckle and
other large flat items. I have a 12" x 12 " soldering pad that I set
on my solder table. On that I place two soldering bricks. I place
them so that the buckle edges just rest on the edge of the brick.
This allows you to place the torch under the work. I heat the work
from the bottom until the solder is ready to flow. I move the torch
to the top side of the work when the solder is ready to flow. I have
found that marks from a sharpie pen on the top surface will
disappear when the temperature is right for medium solder. When the
marks disappear I move the torch to the top. I pre-polish the work
and coat it with an anti fire scale coating before soldering. I use
a dab of handy flux for all my joints. Do not use too much paste
flux as it will will wash away the anti fire scale coating and allow
fire scale to form.
I'd like to get some titanium sheet scraps too - anyone know a
source?
Judy (and others)-- I guess that could be me. If you send me your
address (off forum), I’ll send you a couple of strips. I’ll do the
same for the first 20 people who ask (I don’t think I can afford to
supply the whole community). --Noel
You can get titanium bicycle spokes (bent) for free from most bike
shops (first use is as a soldering pick), and twist them up to make a
crude nest, not to mention using them by driving them into the brick
to get the work off the soldering surface. Most airplane scrap yards
will have some titanium around. Charles
Charles Lewton-Brain
Box 1624, Ste M, Calgary, Alberta, T2P 2L7, Canada
I just realized just before throwing them out that the broken
ceremic space heater reflectors could be of great assistance for
soldering. I may do some experimentation and let you know. Jay
A firebrick trick I learned many years ago watching Wendell Waters
(Mesa Parks and Rec.): For small flat pieces, warm the work to dry
the flux and then direct the flame to heat the soldering brick near
the item. When the brick surface is glowing, use your soldering pick
to nudge the piece over the hot spot and solder as usual.