When tyring to soder a 3/4" x 1/16"th pice of brass flat stock to a brass tube for an A strut the soder barly sticks, I am using a 30 watt iron and soder that came with the soder iron, I was sucessfull about 1 yr ago with the small rails on a pt 109 gun turrents but I think this is because of the small pices I was using. My thoughts are use a more powerfull iron ?, better soder? and use steal wool and clean the area well. ?????? Can any one affirm this and or add to this, if so what watt iron type of soder, any help would be nice, thanks, Randy

Randy,

30 watts doesn't sound like much of a soldering iron to do that. However, try cleaning the surfaces with emery cloth (sandpaper will work in a pinch but its not preferred) and using flux on the parts to be joined. Also, tin the soldering tip with solder and if possible, tin the parts to be joined. That should help you with heat transfer. I would also recommend getting a larger soldering iron or if your budget allows, purchase a resistance unit. I have one and they are the cats butt. It pinpoints heat and does not heat anything up around it. Pricey but if you plan on a lot of jobs then its worth it. Otherwise, a 75 or 100 watt iron should suffice.


Hope that helps you,

Pete

Pete, by tining the parts , do you mean, spreading both surfaces with soder in advance, Thanks, Randy, and would it be strong enough for A struts.

Hi
Sounds like you need more heat,So definetly a larger soldering iron.
For some thing like that I use a small butane torch that I got at Home Depot.
Bob

When I solder smaller or larger brass it's good to have an adjustable temperature solder station
Often good deals at the electronic wholesale site google MCM Electronics. good units. 40-50$
good rule high temps 800 for large surface like rudder-shaft. Small parts temps 450