Soldering Lead Came
| December 24, 2010 | Posted by admin under Misc |
The first secret to soldering lead came is to have the right tools.
- Use the right soldering iron
- set at the right temperature
- with the right flux
- and the proper solder
Use the mildest flux that will do the job. The optimal flux is water-soluble and organic-based and cleans up easily.
50/50 solder melts at 421 degrees F. It gives a flatter joint and is often used with lead came.
When you begin, test the temperature of the iron by fluxing and applying solder to a scrap piece of the lead came you are using, to make sure the iron is not too hot (the lead came will melt) or too cold (the solder will not flow properly).
The next secret is to have assembled your lead came panel in a craftsperson-like manner. In other words, there should not be large gaps in the joints the solder is to join.
If your came is at all oxidized, brush the joints lightly with a small wire brush. Flux the joints liberally.
Place the end of the solder on the fluxed joint, then touch the tip of the iron to the solder. Raise the tip up. What you want is to totally fill the joint, but use as little solder as necessary, do not extend the solder any further beyond the joint than necessary, and keep the soldered joint flat. Practice.
The desired end result is that intersections of the lead cames are not visible through the solder and the solder on them is smooth, not beaded. You should be able to run a fingernail over the came and into the soldered joint without it catching or clicking.
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