Heres the deal... I'm making a roll bar for my Warhead EVO. All I had lying around was some 3/16" brake line and some 1/4" copper tubing. So, the brake line wouldn't take the solder so, I decided to use the copper tubing. Well, as we all know, copper is soft. I decided to cut the copper tubing and then use the brake line to put inside the copper. Very durable and things are going well... except, I'm having a difficult time making some of the joints strong enough to hold. Some joints hold just fine and others break, no matter how many times I re solder it. Does anyone know what I'm doing wrong? Any advice of helpful hints would be great.

Thanks, Mike

I don't think solder is going to hold up to any hard hits.... but, flux helps solder stick much better.

Yeah, I didnt think it would hold up all that well. I'm using flux but, it doesn't help.

I'm not too familiar with solder types.. but, aren't there different types for different metals?.. maybe I'm thinking of something else.....

Make sure you scuff the area to be soldered, use flux, and use silver solder. It's not going to hold like welding, but actually holds up ok. I made a roll cage for an electric MT I have that I can stand on using brass tubing and using silver solder for the joints.


Edit: Here is a picture

Any pics bria1? I made a crawler chassis from 1/4" brass and solder that I can stand on too.

Brai1, thats what I don't get. I'm doing everything I should (everything you mentioned) but I'm still having probs. I'm hanging it up for the night. Insted I think I'll work on a few beers... maybe it'll go better tomorrow.

Are you using a torch or an iron and if an iron what wattage?

Maybe the tubing isn't getting hot enough. It will take more heating with that steel pipe inside to get the copper tubing hot enough for the solder to stick good. Are you using a solder gun or torch? I was able to use a 100 watt soldering gun with the brass tubing, but with the steel brake line inside, you may want to use a torch to heat the area up. But wait until the beers wear off, don't want ya burning down the house. LOL

Get the part your trying to solder nice and hot.....if it aint the solder wont take to it.

Too much heat with a torch is just as bad most of the time, though.

Agreed! I made a cage out of some unknown steel rods I found and some copper tubing, and the only way i could get it to work is to heat up both pieces witha butane torch, then go crazy with the soldering paste.

I had both silver solder and rosin core solder, and I found that the rosin core actually stuck better.

Your right....I was assuming he s using a solder gun.....

I'm using a torch. A small butane torch. I've tryed heating it a lot and I've also tried not to heat it anymore than I have to. Still have probs. I am however using rosin core solder (I think it may be electrical solder). I guess what I don't understand is, some of my joints hold, some do not. I try to do it the same way with all the joints, I just don't get it.

Use silver solder.

Bingo!! That was the prob. Silver plumbing solder did the trick. Thanks for the tip Bria 1.

No problem, post some pictures when you're done.

Heres those pics, just got done painting and putting it on. I don't think I would be able to stand on this on but, it is a lot better than the cheap stock one they put on!

Nice.. that looks good man [sm=thumbup.gif] keep us posted on how well it holds up..

Looks good. Some triangular bracing will strengthen it up quite a bit.

Yeah, this was my first time. I'm sure I will make more. I just wanted to give it a shot once to see what I could come up with. There will be plenty more to come!

What!? That's soldered!? Looks brazed it came out so good! Nice job.

Thanks a lot man. Yup, solder.