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 Posted - July 23 2016 : 9:44:35 PM
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I finally bought some flux today, as it is very handy to use on old wiring. Ever tried to solder to some old copper wire, and the solder just balls up and won't stick or flow? The copper needs a chemical acid bath to make the solder adhere, and this is what flux does. What is it,and where does it come from? Ever seen pine tree sap? It's sticky, and will eat your automobile's paint if you leave it on long enough. Rosin solder flux comes from THAT sap. It's a mild acid, it will eat the crud off the copper or tinned wires, and allow the solder to flow. Heat and age will change the copper, and solder just will not stick to it. Flux will eat the crud off some, and help the solder flow and stick to the metal. If you work with enough old wiring, this will come in handy. Not many places carry it, and Radio Shack had a few pegs of them today, so I got one for home use.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - July 23 2016 : 10:33:49 PM
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Even if the metal is clean when you start, it will try to oxidize when you heat it to melt the solder to it. Flux also helps to prevent that. The ideal case is to clean the metal before soldering and use flux, too.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - July 24 2016 : 04:15:17 AM
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Exactly! I do clean up the area with alcohol first.
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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