I like to get my rail joiners as clean as possible, so that i can solder them properly.
I thought that immersing them in cheap white vinegar would do the job but i have done so and it didn't work out as well as i had hoped. It works with copper coins, but brass is not copper similar but different and this method works with copper.
Any suggestions?
Rgds Ian
iandor wrote:I like to get my rail joiners as clean as possible, so that i can solder them properly.I thought that immersing them in cheap white vinegar would do the job but i have done so and it didn't work out as well as i had hoped. It works with copper coins, but brass is not copper similar but different and this method works with copper.Any suggestions?Rgds Ian
Dear Ian,
A few of our products are soldered brass assemblies. We use an ultra-sonic cleaner with the proper detergent solution. Excellent results!
ER
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
I use a glass full of muriatic acid. It's a very weak form of Hydrochloric acid available for any swimming pool chemicals supply store. I dip them into the acid with a pair of plastic forceps for about three seconds, rinse in plain water then run a wire brush for cleaning BB/pellet guns, (.177 cal). I've been doing this for years with brass and copper. Do it outside with the breeze blowing away from the house.
For rails or any other items that need cleaning on the "outside" I just run the wire wheel on my grinder.
Tom Trigg
Thanks for the advice, that device of your Elisabeth, sounds interesting; if i can't do it in a simple way i will be in touch, thanks.
I mainly want them clean on the inside so that they will solder evenly and bond well both mechainically and electrically.
That idea of yours Tom is worth investigating as i have 10 litres of Hydrochloric acid in stock, i have a 10 m swimminhg pool and in the tropics you have to add acid every week to keep the PH balanced. I will try a bath of 4 water to 1 acid and see how it goes, what do you think?
Ian;
The stuff I use is 15% HCl. If your stock is 50% or better than that just might do the trick.
I am going to try it today or so Tom, my acid is standard swimming pool acid and it has a label on it and i will find out. A mixture of 4 to 1 with water should be a good start.
Funny enough i tried a couple of my joiners out yesterday and they seem to solder ok, maybe they are nicer on the inside than the outside like a few ladies i have known in the past.
Could be, could be!
If you think I'm going to touch that line, I have this bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell ya.
Funny thing that Tom; I don't know if you know it or not but Frank Sinatra had some trouble out here with the Unions; and he couldn't leave the country for a while back some years agao. Well he had some of his ignorant but rich freinds with him. This man was looking out his hotel window for a few days, looking for a building to buy. He actually tried to purchase the Sydney Opera House; we also have bridge nearby that people try to sell as well.
Have you tried cleaning the inside of any rail joiners with the acid bath yet? I'm interested in a second opinion.
Tom mate we are in trouble, yes both of us.
I have done what was suggested with mixed results, it is definitely doing something with 4 to 1 mixture and they are definitely solderable or the ones i have tried are. Some are looking more shinier than others but i think if i leave it another day or so and/or make the mixture stronger we will be smiling all round.
Now why are we in trouble, well i splilled a small amount of some very diluted liquid on Doreens good sink and it has marked it a bit, i think we can clear it up with time and effort though. I am in trouble for doing it and you are in trouble for suggesting i do it. But as you are 10,000 km away you are pretty safe.
ttrigg wrote:I use a glass full of muriatic acid. It's a very weak form of Hydrochloric acid available for any swimming pool chemicals supply store. I dip them into the acid with a pair of plastic forceps for about three seconds, rinse in plain water then run a wire brush for cleaning BB/pellet guns, (.177 cal). I've been doing this for years with brass and copper. Do it outside with the breeze blowing away from the house. For rails or any other items that need cleaning on the "outside" I just run the wire wheel on my grinder.
I do beleive I said something about going outside. In case you have not translated the Yank word "outside", in general it means NOT INSIDE.
Make sure you show Doreen my original post. Just because you displayed the most macho of all male traits (Instructions, I don't need no stinking instructions!) don't blame me.
They are definitely looking shinier a few days down the track but i am convinced it is working because i am having no trouble at all soldering them and the solder is really penetrating well. I know about flux but sometimes if the job is too dirty it will not clean the surface to be soldered adequately.
I did do that job in the garage but i went inside to rinse it off, all well that ends well she spoke to me alittle harshly for about a minute; so we are both freea dn clear.
All the best. Ian
Well tom, time has gone on and i am not sure if we have not done something pretty good as i side effort. They have not got brassy and shiny they have gone a very nice blaky silvery colour and are still soldering well. This looks to bea nexcellent colour for those who like to make thir rails and joiners look old. But my prime purpose has been to make them solder ok which they are.
Talking about flux, there has been an instance in Japan which amay not have been reported in the US press but Condaleesa Rice was inspecting a television factory and she noticed a young Japanese woman soldering away; so she went over and said excuse me dear but what are you using as flux; she replied, plix same as American women.
Rgds ian
Get the Garden Railways newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month