Silver solder source in Knoxville?

[Dolomite_supafly]

I can order it online but would prefer to spend the money locally. I am going to have to wait on the muzzle brake anyways so ordering the silver solder online is an option, just not my first option. I can order what I need online for under $10 shipped but cost isn't everything, but supporting the local economy is. I only need a few feet of high temp silver solder

I am going to permanently attached a muzzle brake to a shortened shotgun barrel. It is too thin for the usual pin and weld method therefore the only other "approved" method is high temp silver solder. Needs to have at least 1,100 degree melt/flow temperature.

I am wanting to try this myself rather than pay a shop. I have never worked in silver solder before and would like to give it a try. Gaining the knowledge is worth the extra cost of doing it myself.

Thanks guys

Dolomite

[R1100R]

The last time I bought some was from a jewlery/watchmakers supply store.. Some times they are listed as a findings store and deal with supplies to this industry. This was in Atlanta when I lived there. I don't know about a store in the Knoxville area. You can look in the the Yellow Pages. Or call your local jewlery/watch repair shop and ask who they buy from. Place to start:

Darnell Jewelry Tools & Supplies

6428 Ruggles Ferry Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924

865-637-4457

[Guest 6.8 AR]

That or a welding supply store I'd think. Ought to be a few of those in K-town.

Dolomite, brazing is at 1100 F. Won't that do?

Edited March 23, 2012 by 6.8 AR

[Dolomite_supafly]

That or a welding supply store I'd think. Ought to be a few of those in K-town.

Dolomite, brazing is at 1100 F. Won't that do?

Sure, the only requirement is the material used must have a melting point above 1,100 degrees.

What type of brazing are you talking about?

Dolomite

[peejman]

Any welding shop should have what you need. It's not much different than copper pipe soldering, just hotter with closer fitting joints. We use it a lot at work.

The term "silver solder" is somewhat of a misnomer... the process in which it's used is more brazing than soldering. To be somewhat technical about it... soldering, brazing, and welding differ by temperature and the amount of diffusion in the joint. Soldering is low temp (<~850 deg F) and there's little to no diffusion in the joint. Brazing is mid temp (~900 < x < 2100 F), doesn't melt the substrates but does involve some diffusion. Welding is high temp (~>2200 F), melts the substrates and has a lot of diffusion.

[R_Bert]

The last I bought was years ago at Ace Hardware, but you may find it at Grainger on Baum Dr.

[runningfree]

Have you tried Shields Electronics?

[Dolomite_supafly]

Have you tried Shields Electronics?

Called them. All they have is low temp stuff.

Dolomite

[Guest A10thunderbolt]

You might try calling frazier welding and steel they do some brazing work and may be able to get you what you need.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Brazing is what you use to connect copper on HVAC units. I don't remember the metal,

but brazing rods come in several heat ranges. I replaced a compressor on my HVAC a

couple years ago. Very easy, but if they tell you you can use MAPP gas, don't. It takes

too long to get into the heat range you're looking for. A small acetylene torch set is not

expensive. I borrowed one from an HVAC guy who was too busy, or I would have bought

one.

Thanks, peejman, for explaining what I don't know. I just know how to do it.

[Just2Honor]

I do some silver work on jewelry. Never tried Silver Solder on anything else so I may be off base. Silver Solder comes in 4 different grades--hard, med, easy and very easy. Type depends on the temp you want it to flow. Example: if you have two separate soldering operatioins you might use med on the first and easy on the second so the first joint won't fall apart when you heat for the second joint. (In silver, the whole piece heats up, not just the joint) One operation, I'd pick med if my torch would reach the correct temp. You'll also need flux for silver solder to get the flow to cover the whole joint. In jewelry I clean the two pieces REAL well with a dish soap like Dawn, rinse well, wipe dry, and don't touch with my fingers or the solder might not flow and bond completely.

Edited March 23, 2012 by RoadKill

[Just2Honor]

Can't help with a TN supply but you vcan PM for several online retailers

[Guest 6.8 AR]

Ed's Supply at their locations has the brazing rods I was referring to. I'm sure someone in Knoxville

has the same. Any HVAC supply house should have it.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Turns out a real good friend of mine has a son in law that works with silver solder as part of his job. He said he can do it for me and it will probably be a better job than I could ever hope to do. That and it will probably be less than the materials for me to do it.

Thanks guys

Dolomite

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I know if I was doing it, it would turn out, but the finish would need some work.

[Guest sqlightning]

if you ever need to get any, some o'reilly auto parts carry it

[Dolomite_supafly]

if you ever need to get any, some o'reilly auto parts carry it

I called their distribution center and they do not have the high temp stuff. I am needing 1,100+ degree to be legal.

Dolomite

[peejman]

Brazing is what you use to connect copper on HVAC units. I don't remember the metal,

but brazing rods come in several heat ranges. I replaced a compressor on my HVAC a

couple years ago. Very easy, but if they tell you you can use MAPP gas, don't. It takes

too long to get into the heat range you're looking for. A small acetylene torch set is not

expensive. I borrowed one from an HVAC guy who was too busy, or I would have bought

one.

Thanks, peejman, for explaining what I don't know. I just know how to do it.

Welcome... and you highlighted the easiest way to know the difference... If you can do it with propane or MAPP gas, you're soldering. If those don't get hot enough and you have to use acetylene, you're brazing or welding.

While I know how to do it, my work ain't exactly pretty. A little practice goes a long way.