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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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#1
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them
recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? If not would welding sort it? |
#2
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 21/10/2011 14:41, R D S wrote:
I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? It is certainly possible to solder stainless steel. I used to use a flux comprising one half Baker's fluid No 1, one quarter hydrochloric acid 36% and one quarter distilled water. Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life and really needs replacing. Colin Bignell |
#3
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 21/10/11 15:21, Nightjar wrote:
On 21/10/2011 14:41, R D S wrote: I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? It is certainly possible to solder stainless steel. I used to use a flux comprising one half Baker's fluid No 1, one quarter hydrochloric acid 36% and one quarter distilled water. Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life and really needs replacing. They are little square half litre pots and the supplier wants £30 each for them! |
#4
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On Oct 21, 4:12*pm, R D S wrote:
On 21/10/11 15:21, Nightjar wrote: On 21/10/2011 14:41, R D S wrote: I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? It is certainly possible to solder stainless steel. I used to use a flux comprising one half Baker's fluid No 1, one quarter hydrochloric acid 36% and one quarter distilled water. Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life and really needs replacing. They are little square half litre pots and the supplier wants £30 each for them! Epoxy works. NT |
#5
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 21/10/11 15:21, Nightjar wrote:
On 21/10/2011 14:41, R D S wrote: I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? It is certainly possible to solder stainless steel. I used to use a flux comprising one half Baker's fluid No 1, one quarter hydrochloric acid 36% and one quarter distilled water. Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life and really needs replacing. I'd expect electrolytic corrosion to occur around the solder so any repair would be temporary. -- Bernard Peek |
#6
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 21/10/11 14:41, R D S wrote:
I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? If not would welding sort it? TIG welding SS is pretty straightforward. |
#7
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On Oct 21, 2:41*pm, R D S wrote:
Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? Yes, but you need a pokey flux for dealing with stainless. Phosphoric acid can do it. Easiest though is a Lumiweld kit, which comes with the right flux and a better solder. |
#8
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 22/10/2011 3:21 a.m., Nightjar wrote:
Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life Either that or it was made in China. |
#9
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
In article ,
pcb1962 wrote: TIG welding SS is pretty straightforward. I've managed a reasonable job with a MIG and Halford's SS wire. But not tried it on thin stuff. -- *A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory * Dave Plowman London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. |
#10
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On Oct 21, 9:37*pm, pcb1962 wrote:
TIG welding SS is pretty straightforward. Couple of grands' worth of kit will sort it out then, You can't TIG weld stainless at most nightschool classes these days, owing to the chromium and the lack of suitable fume extraction. Few DIYers have their own TIG rigs. That said, stainless is one of the easier metals to TIG weld, much easier than aluminium alloys. |
#11
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
"Gib Bogle" wrote in message ... On 22/10/2011 3:21 a.m., Nightjar wrote: Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life Either that or it was made in China. Naaah, it's made in stainless steel, didn't you read his post |
#12
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 21/10/2011 21:29, Bernard Peek wrote:
On 21/10/11 15:21, Nightjar wrote: On 21/10/2011 14:41, R D S wrote: I have some little stainless steel pots in a heated tank, one of them recently sprang a leak and if I hold it up to the light I can see 3 little pin prick holes in it. Am I likely to be able to repair this by filling the holes with solder? It is certainly possible to solder stainless steel. I used to use a flux comprising one half Baker's fluid No 1, one quarter hydrochloric acid 36% and one quarter distilled water. Whether the solder would survive whatever it was that caused holes in stainless steel is another matter. In any case, I suspect that any repair will only be a temporary fix. Multiple pin holes suggest to me that the pot is probably nearing the end of its useful life and really needs replacing. I'd expect electrolytic corrosion to occur around the solder so any repair would be temporary. Never had that problem in several decades of soldering stainless steel surgical instruments. Colin Bignell |
#13
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Small holes in stainless steel pots
On 22/10/11 00:41, Andy Dingley wrote:
On Oct 21, 9:37 pm, wrote: TIG welding SS is pretty straightforward. Couple of grands' worth of kit will sort it out then, If you only want to do steel you can set yourself up with a nice little TIG set and gas for under £500 these days. If you need an AC rig to do ali it gets a lot more expensive. You can't TIG weld stainless at most nightschool classes these days, owing to the chromium and the lack of suitable fume extraction. Few DIYers have their own TIG rigs. That said, stainless is one of the easier metals to TIG weld, much easier than aluminium alloys. I wasn't suggesting that RDS set himself up with he necessary gear, but maybe if he pops over to the excellent welding forum at http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php and asks nicely in the TIG section he may find someone local who will do the job for him for beer tokens. |
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