So I have the brass overflow tank and steel Markos bracket. Been looking at ways to solder, has anyone done this? I assume silver solder/flux/torch but is it that simple?
Attaching the "Markos" bracket to the Brass Tank
- Thread starter bavbob
- Start date
You might try calling a radiator shop. The shop that I work with uses a powdered solder.
You will definitely need a torch. I would have one torch preheating the steel bracket, and another warming up the brass. The tank is going to heat up a lot faster than the bracket. Like pipe fitting, you will want a good flux paste (from a plumbing store or online - HD flux is awful). Use solid silver solder. You don’t heat the solder at all. You heat the metal and the solder gets sucked into the joint following the flux.
You could also just use JB weld!
I'll figure it out but thought maybe someone had done it. The powder fluxes are expensive and silver solder is so variable in its silver content. The approach seems clear, the products to use, do not.
Couldn't it be bonded on just as strong?
I will admit I used JB weld on my Bavaria and it lasted 6 months but that was the quick set which probably does not have the same temp tolerance. I'll give it a shot with silver solder first then move to JB weld if that fails.
Silver solder is the way to go. Try and keep the of the tank, especially the seam, cold with a wet rag. If you heat the whole tank, it will just fall to pieces.
When you weld the bracket, its upside down and the big seam will just have the silver flow out of it onto the ground if it becomes warm.
When you weld the bracket, its upside down and the big seam will just have the silver flow out of it onto the ground if it becomes warm.
Is it the flux that is powdered? Makes sense It was all news to me.
This is the flux I use for pipe fitting. It is fantastic. I didn’t realize until snapping this pic that it is “The best flux in the world”. I bought it from a local commercial plumbing supply store, and they said it was the best.
This is the flux I use for pipe fitting. It is fantastic. I didn’t realize until snapping this pic that it is “The best flux in the world”. I bought it from a local commercial plumbing supply store, and they said it was the best.
And both pieces need to be very clean
I cheated on mine. It was broken when I got the car so I put a small rubber grommet on the bracket so the tank sits on the rubber and the bracket is more of a craddle. Seems to work okay but I guess I'll see over time.
Soldering at the factory seemed to be flawed which I guess, was good cause those tanks were removed.......and many put up for sale!
Erik, thank you for your comments above. Though I learn from my mistakes, I prefer not to in this case.
Erik, thank you for your comments above. Though I learn from my mistakes, I prefer not to in this case.
Pinstripe inc.
Well-Known Member
Take a guess how I know....
I had a successful bracket reinstall, and then pressure tested it under water, just to see that the seam adjacent the bracket leaked. Not sure if it was my doing, but I think so.
I didn't make it any worse, as it leaked in other places as well.
Don't solder it with a lead-tin compound; those are too soft at boiling water temps, and will develop cracks due to vibrations. You need over 45% silver for a good strong joint.
I have my Old Daddy's giant old fashioned large soldering iron It works dead nuts on for jobs like this as it puts out great heat. If you got to a radiator shop,at least the ones I have been to, they use a similar iron, but heat them up in a small oven for jobs like this.Kind of like the irons in the old Chinese laundries. Lay it on the metal and it will heat both without hurting the brass. Yes use the plumbers flux like Marcos showed and feed the silver solder to it. I think the plumbers solder available at home Depot etc is 40-60% and you will have a nice clean joint, no pun intended
Pinstripe inc.
Well-Known Member
Don’t know if this helps, but as a one time designer of silver jewelry, the 45% silver solder makes sense. A jeweller, or a craft shop would be good places to Google. It shouldn’t be hard to find.
FYI - I’m going to make more “Markos Brackets”