Got Any Tips For Re-soldering A Cap ?

[olecajun]

I have a 5" copper cap that I heated up to replace the sleeve part, so I am reusing the flat sheet piece of the cap lid. Any tips before I attempt to re-solder it ? Cleaning method , wire wheel brush , or ???? Thanks in advance for input.

[FreeMountainHermit]

I used to solder stainless fittings for a living (silver) if that means anything. When we replaced/repaired joints it was very easy to apply solder to the joint and apply heat using a slightly carburizing flame until the flux ran clear then apply silver. Done.

[googe]

Vague discription lol. But any time you resolder, make sure it's clean, old flux can be oily, hot soapy water and a scrubber.

[olecajun]

Sounds good. I plan on putting some heat to the old soldered piece and using a small stainless tooth brush to brush it off when it melts , then scrub it with dawn. Just not sure if I should wipe it down with denatured alcohol or something. Thanks again for the input.

[T-Pee]

Wiping with isopropyl will remove the old flux then resolder as necessary.

tp

[FreeMountainHermit]

Vague discription lol. But any time you resolder, make sure it's clean, old flux can be oily, hot soapy water and a scrubber.

Vauge ?? Not really,Sir. Simply the way it was done every day.S.O.P. Did many, many hundreds possibly thousands in such manner using Oxy-Mapp. Even black ugly burned flux can be "cooked" away but it takes a skilled hand as failure is but a blink away.

Gotta admit tho' that most hobbiests (sic) don't have access to an Oxy-acetylene- MAPP torch.

[olecajun]

Yea I have both here at the shop. I have a small machine shop and have quite an assortment of tools. Everything from torches, plasma cutter, lathe, mills , drill presses, welders. Not saying I am good at anything, just have a lot of tools.

[cob]

did you do the original soldering ?

if not has the original solder tested for lead ,

or proven to be lead free ?

[googe]

Wasn't referring to your comment fmh.

[FreeMountainHermit]

Wasn't referring to your comment fmh.

Sometimes it's difficult to know who's talking to whom. Go in peace my friend !!!

[olecajun]

Yea I know it was lead free solder, a friend did it and lives 500 miles from me. I am changing it from a slip joint to a clamping joint. After I did all that cleaning, it dawned on me , duhhhh, flip the piece over and clean and solder the other side to the sleeve. Its never had solder on it. I tell you one thing, that paste flux is nasty to clean off after the fact. So now I got that piece done I have to remove the collar from the pot and clean and re-solder a new heavier collar that has the flange tig welded to it.( Never knew copper and stainless could be tig welded. )

[Oldvine Zin]

I tell you one thing, that paste flux is nasty to clean off after the fact.

And folks wonder why we insist on full cleaning runs after soldering

OVZ

[olecajun]

Yea that paste flux is like trying to wipe lard out of a cold skillet, it just keeps smearing.I have several kinds of flux for silver solder and lead free solder so is any type better than the other ? Liquid vs Paste ? Thanks

[Oldvine Zin]

Harris stay-clean liquid flux

OVZ

[olecajun]

I think I have some of that. Thanks for the input.