herchenx
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,358
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Post by herchenx on Jan 25, 2014 13:10:23 GMT -5
My flux that I bought from Rio over a yeah ago is completely dried out and solidified. I want to solder and was going to run over to the hardware store. Is the handi-flux special somehow or does silver require anything special or can I just use plumber's flux?
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 25, 2014 14:33:13 GMT -5
I'm not really sure. I'm sure someone else can answer. However, I would think that if it is rated for temperatures that you silver solder at, then you could. I know of one kind that is for copper but which is also used for silver.
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<'))))>< Fish
Cave Dweller
Gone Fishing
Member since April 2005
Posts: 1,823
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Post by <'))))>< Fish on Jan 25, 2014 15:01:28 GMT -5
You can small amount of water to thin out
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Post by 1dave on Jan 25, 2014 15:16:56 GMT -5
Get a box of Borax from the laundry isle at the grocery store and you can always make your own.
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herchenx
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2012
Posts: 3,358
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Post by herchenx on Jan 25, 2014 16:32:05 GMT -5
I was reading that the borax was important for silver for some reason so I scraped some dried flux out and mixed it with water and it worked fine. Thanks all, pics of my little project later.
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Post by bobby1 on Jan 26, 2014 1:28:44 GMT -5
Handi Flux like most borax based fluxes contains some additives to make it work better. One is biflouride. It is added to keep the flux from bubbling so much that it makes the solder jump all over the place when it is heating up and drying out. Some people can get a rash due to the concentrating of the fumes if they are working in a confined area without proper ventilation. Of the 300 hundred or so students that I have taught only one person had this occur. She was soldering at home in a corner of her workshop and leaning close to the soldering activity.
Nonetheless you can buy this type of flux biflouride free if you are concerned about this problem. I would imagine that making your own would also prevent this problem. I buy mine (with the bifloride) because I like the convenience of it being already powdered and mixed into a paste. The biflouride doesn't affect me as well as I have a well ventilated work shop.
Bob
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Post by pauls on Jan 26, 2014 2:32:18 GMT -5
Yes plumbers flux is good. As long as you get the right stuff. You want Brazing or Silver Soldering flux, not soft solder flux. Brazing (gas welding with bronze rods) flux is borax with fluorides and works really well.
Flux for soft soldering could be a greasy Resin type or a Hydrochloric acid type both are unsuitable.
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X - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's rocks
- O Henry
