In article ,
Hoyt McKagen wrote:

Don Bruder wrote:
Well, first thing is that you don't solder steel or aluminum. Period.

Wrong, steel is easy to solder and to silver solder. For example, shotgun
barrel ribs are sweated on with lead/tin.

You got the rest of it pretty much right though.

Hmmm... Apparently, based on the multiple "Hey, dummy, you can too
solder steel!" messages, all my attempts at soldering steel (stainless
or otherwise) have been done wrong, since I've *NEVER*, in dozens of
atempts, had even the slightest success in getting the solder to "wet"
the steel. I can make neat looking little balls of solder that are stuck
to the steel by the remains of whatever flux I've tried using
(everything from rosin to acid to one fellow's suggestion years ago, a
mixture of borax, sugar, and vaseline), and anything else that even
KINDA sounded reasonable and not instantly toxic), but no matter what
I've tried, I can't make a joint that has anything that could be
mistaken for a structural strength above absolutely nil. Most of my
attempts haven't even been able to support their own weight for more
than a second before the joint gives, and close exmination of the joint
always reveals the classic "cold solder" problem quite clearly.

So it would seem I've been going about it wrong. Maybe some day, when I
have another situation that needs something soldered to steel, I'll try
to chase down a "proper" method, but for right now, trying to educate me
on how to do it would be a waste of effort for both of us, since I
haven't the interest to sit down and learn it. (zero practical
motivation for doing so at this time - ask me again next month when I
figure out that soldering would be the best way to deal with some new
project involving steel that's caught my attention! )

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