dartman Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 (edited) Is easier to solder/braze? I need to scratch build a few things and not sure if I should use aluminumor brass and if I use brass what do I use for flux and filler? I am assuming I would use solder andelectrical flux for aluminum? Edited March 19, 2016 by dartman . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBorg Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 Aluminum WILL NOT solder. You can either glue it or use an "aluminum solder" which is a plastic with metal infused in it. The brass will be significantly stronger. I would suggest asking your LHS if they have Stay-Brite solder. This is a silver bearing solder which is much stronger than an electrical solder. The three biggest factors in successful soldering is clean the brass with steel wool or even your Dremel to make it shiny, a clean soldering iron (I like to wipe my tip on a wet sponge) and close fitting joints. Solder is not designed to bridge large gaps in the brass. Any joint that does that will be fragile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
935k3 Posted March 19, 2016 Share Posted March 19, 2016 One tip when soldering is to heat the part and melt the solder onto it or you will get a cold joint that will break. Brass is definitely the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartman Posted March 24, 2016 Author Share Posted March 24, 2016 Thanks guys,I will ask about that solder and rustle up some brass supply's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astroracer Posted March 24, 2016 Share Posted March 24, 2016 (edited) Look at MicroMark also. They carry TIX solder which is very nice to use. One thing you can do is take some of your modeling ideas into a jewelry shop. Talk to them about what and how to do some of this stuff. I did that when I was soldering up a brass suspension years ago and the gentleman I talked with was very informative.Mark Edited March 24, 2016 by astroracer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartman Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Thanks Mark,that is an outstanding idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted March 26, 2016 Share Posted March 26, 2016 People who build model railroad equipment from brass can also be a tremendous source of knowledge. These guys are good, and they know tricks like using solders that melt at slightly different temperatures to solder parts that are close together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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