Questions on soldering

[hermanchauw]

I am trying to scracthbuild a steering wheel for my 1:35 Hummer using copper wire. But the solder doesn't stick to the wire. How to do it properly? I have no idea what to do as this is my first time attempting a scratchbuilt steering wheel.

Do i need to use flux? What is flux anyway?

[Forhod]

Two possibilities :

1) Not hot enough.
2) The surface is not clean enough.

Check this two out.

[Vagabond_se7en]

Allthough my experience w soldering is not modelling related maybe you could try these tips

Before soldering, heat the iron and apply a little solder to the tip of your soldering iron. Next, put the iron on one side of the wire and the solder on the other side and the solder should flow nicely onto the wire.



I used this pic to try to explain it better, you just have to imagine that the middle part of the pic is your copper wire (it's actually a switch but the principle of soldering is the same)

[hermanchauw]

How clean must the surface be? I just sanded the ends square only. Must i wash the part?

[Forhod]

No Dirts.. no dust... not oily...
And before soldering.. always check if the heat is hot enough the melt the solder iron... if it doesn't.. it means that it is not hot enough.

[djmr2]

the problem is your trying to solder it onto a copper wire.

i don't think u can solder copper. I tried to fix a copper pipe on my car, and we even tried using Silver, and it didn't work. Something about the melting point of the metals your using.

[Forhod]

Damn.. I miss the copper word...
Copper has a higher melting point compared to the soldering iron..
So you tried soldering with copper wire and does it melts?

[Fooesboy]

Check out this web site:

www.msmodels.co.uk


The guy even makes it look easy! :silly2:

[EBEBOP]

Thanks Fooesboy for putting up the link!

How are you?

I am in need of updating my site.


Hope the tips help!

Cheers Paul AKA Msmodels

[935k3]

I have been an elctronic technician for 20 yrs and I've had allot of experience. You can absolutely solder copper. You have to use a good flux and plenty of heat. It is better to work with brass though. The problem is that copper is a very good heat conductor aand it draws allot of heat out of the Iron. When ever you solder you must thoroughly heat the part up first then flow the solder onto the joint. You also need to keep your Iron clean by wiping it on a wet sponge once in awhile also flow some solder onto tip before turning it off,this prolongs tip life.

[hermanchauw]

Still having problems. Maybe i should use brass instead.
Anyway, what is flux? What does it do?

[Fooesboy]

Originally posted by EBEBOP
Thanks Fooesboy for putting up the link!

How are you?

I am in need of updating my site.


Hope the tips help!

Cheers Paul AKA Msmodels

Yo EBEBOP !




It's taken you long enouth to find this site!!!!:silly2:

And you are wright, you NEED to up date your site...........


BTW are you getting some more hits on your web site now????

[935k3]

Originally posted by hermanchauw
Still having problems. Maybe i should use brass instead.
Anyway, what is flux? What does it do?

Flux prepares and cleans the surface. Most fluxes used today are a clear liquid. Solder sold for eletronics use has the flux inside the solder and it flows out as you are soldering. I would use brass for any thing model related.

[Murco]

I use an inexpensive ($10 at Wal Mart) butane torch when soldering on models. I cut a sliver of silver solder, flux the area to be soldered, then put the solder slice right where I want it melt. One brief hit with the heat and PRESTO, a perfect joint! I'll be doing alot of this on my "Ultimate Camaro" thread shortly so watch for the header/exaust installments....