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newshound

On 14/09/2019 23:34, wrote:
On Saturday, 14 September 2019 22:07:26 UTC+1, AJH wrote:
On 13/09/2019 14:32, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
Nick Odell wrote:
On 13/09/2019 13:15, AJH wrote:

I need to solder a patch onto a rusty diesel tank, previously I used
60/40 tin lead solder but this is not readily available locally will a
lead free plumber's solder still wet fluxed steel?

I don't know the answer to your question but, if you have a Toolstation
nearby, their product 81552 might (expensively) meet your 60/40 spec.

Think most plumber's merchants still stock leaded. For non potable use.

That turned out to be the solution, small plumbers merchant down the
road, actually the nearest shop had a 1/2 kilo roll under the counter.

Once I had wire brushed the rust off there were 3 small holes I could
just put a sewing needle through, Baker's No3 flux and they were easily
wetted and filled, so far a bit less than successful in floating a cover
plate over the lot, not that that's really necessary with a thick layer
of solder.

In the past I would have simply brazed without cleaning the rust as the
flux and acetylene flame work at red heat but I gave up my oxy-acetylene
when I retired, I have been tempted to try TIG with braze but I haven't
pursued it as I seemed to use too much argon.

AJH

Gasless wire MIG is a joy to use. I 'grew up' on arc & to a lesser extent oxy.

You're a better man than me if you can repair a rusty fuel tank that
way, though.

At least with an inverter stick welder I can *sometimes* fix the holes
that I have made in sheet metal.