Soldering Stainless steel

**BargainFittings** · 01-08-2010, 02:13 AM

First attempt. I did not let the flux sit very long on the fittings before soldering it with a propane torch.

I used regular lead free plumbing solder.

I'm quite surprised how well it worked. I think I overheated the fitting. Obviously there is way too much solder on there. You can see where the flux had not wetted the steel. The solder kinda bunched up around it.

NOTE: this is a damaged nipple. I don't sell ugly stuff like that!

**Yuri_Rage** · 01-08-2010, 02:14 AM

Silver solder is probably a better approach, but that looks like it might have worked ok.

**BargainFittings** · 01-08-2010, 02:20 AM

I just took a hammer to it. I beat the tar out of that washer and it just bent a little.

Did not budge the solder joint.

I really am impressed!

**IrregularPulse** · 01-08-2010, 02:26 AM

I second the silver solder suggestion, but hey, if it holds.

**BargainFittings** · 01-08-2010, 02:41 AM

How about this? Second try.

GreenMonti · 01-08-2010, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BargainFittings

How about this? Second try.

Very nice. What materials are you using? Solder, flux, brands

**BargainFittings** · 01-08-2010, 02:49 AM

Oatey brand lead free plumbing solder. Harris brand - stay clean liquid flux. Good for copper, brass, stainless steel etc. Not good for aluminum.

It is very caustic and you must not breathe the fumes. I need to get an insert for my respirator rated for it.

Hard to hold my breath and solder

GreenMonti · 01-08-2010, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BargainFittings

Oatey brand lead free plumbing solder. Harris brand - stay clean flux. Good for copper, brass, stainless steel etc. Not good for aluminum.

It is very caustic and you must not breathe the fumes. I need to get an insert for my respirator rated for it.

Hard to hold my breath and solder

The solder I have, the flux I don't. I was going to buy the Harris solder and flux for stainless for my diffuser. I didn't want to spend another 65 dollars on the solder and I never asked about the flux. So I welded it instead.

That's the white or the black flux you used?

Swagman · 01-08-2010, 03:29 AM

If you don't mind like to stick my two cents in.

I have used silver solder for several years, some for fittings on stainless steel gas tanks, and a few custom fittings for brewers. There are several good brands myself I like sta-brite solder and acid.

For a tool I have found that a large very large Iron the one I have a present is 150 watt. I found better control and less of change of overheating like with a torch.

Just my two cents

Swagman

**Ohio-Ed** · 01-08-2010, 03:37 AM

Wow... looks very nice.

Swagman - so you heat the stainless with an iron to melt the solder?