pot metal soldering

[gcyeaw]

I put this under the pot metal sticky but then decided it was better to start a new thread.

I am working with a pot metal part. I have a few pits I have cleaned out with a dremmel tool. What do you use to heat the part when soldering?

This is a test piece and I was unable to get a soldering iron to work. I tried a torch but that tended to overheat the area and soften the pot metal. Perhaps a mini torch of some nature?

Thanks,
Gardner (newbie)

[ashcroft01]

gcyeaw,

I have found that a small butane torch will work the best. Just try not to concentrate the heat in one area. You may consider Flash Copper plating prior to soldering, that will ensure that the pits are completely clean and the solder will stick to the fresh copper plet with a slightly lower temperature.

Plum-loy solder paste works well for filling the smaller pits. A good quality silver solder will work for the larger ones.

There are several excellent posts that will offer more suggestions for dealing with Pot Metal and filling pits.

Best of luck!

[gcyeaw]

Curtis,
Thanks. I will try the flash copper route. I am wondering if I should just buy a lawnmower, do all the lawns in the neighborhood, and take the money and pay someone else to do this.

Gardner

[drayegon]

If you pay someone else to do things for you. You will never learn to do them for yourself. Sure it is only some little thing that doesn't cost much to do and even less to have done for you. I was curious even as a kid growing up so even though I spent a lot of money trying to do things myself. I learned enough to be able to do almost anything that can be done. Then I got busted up really bad in an accident back in 1990. I can not work for a living because I have to much pain. Still I can do a lot of things that no one else can. now where would I be if I never tried to do things. and just bought it done for me. Or What street corner do I sit with my cup of pencils? thanks dray