Silver Soldering

[grumpy grandad]

Hi all, looking for advice on silver soldering some 1mm stainless steel plate together to make a number plate lamp cover as the original is corroded away and no longer available, butt soldering and polishing to an invisible repair is the goal.
As it's been over 30 years since I've done this I'm wondering what the best soldering products to use are and where I can find a good supplier and if my small oxy propane kit will give enough heat.
Many thanks
Steve

 

[pedrobedro]

Solder doesn't do butt joints very well, it's more suited to overlaps.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Stupid question, but is silver solder any different to the stuff I'd use on copper pipes?

Dan

 

[piman]

Hello Dan,

similar but much higher temperature, much stronger and much more expensive. Your oxy\propane kit should heat 1mm stainless to do the job.

Alec

 

[gordon stephenson]

Silver solder is pretty strong. only one step down from brazing. I would think that on a non stressed part, the silver soldering of 1mm but joint would be ok.

 

[grumpy grandad]

Thanks for your replies, I think Rolls Royce radiator grills are silver soldered in the old days and then polished for that invisible join. Good to hear I can generate enough heat, just need a supplier now

 

[grumpy grandad]

Solder doesn't do butt joints very well, it's more suited to overlaps.

Thanks
I could possibly overlap the joints if needed