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-   -   is a propane torch hot enough to desolder steel? (https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/307059-propane-torch-hot-enough-desolder-steel.html)

exas 06-07-07 09:41 PM

is a propane torch hot enough to desolder steel?
 

is a propane torch hot enough to desoder the solder holding together steel?
TIA

mtnbk3000 06-07-07 09:42 PM

wtf is TIA? anyways if i had to guess no, propane torches work for plumbing and copper.

redirekib 06-07-07 09:44 PM


Originally Posted by exas
topic

TIA

Sho' 'nuf is, why we got one feller 'round here usin' a petrol burnin' torch on his'in scooter.

skingry 06-07-07 10:16 PM

If you are talking about 'brazing'... then maybe. Brass, hell no. Silver, possibly. Might as well get a cheap oxy/mapp torch from the big box if you are removing braze-ons (my guess as to why you asked the question).

TIA = Thanks in advance.

FlatFender 06-07-07 10:33 PM

De-solder - yes.

De-braze - probably not.

exas 06-07-07 10:36 PM


Originally Posted by FlatFender
De-solder - yes.

De-braze - probably not.

whats the difference between the two? (never did anything like this before)

redirekib 06-07-07 10:42 PM


Originally Posted by exas
whats the difference between the two? (never did anything like this before)

Hey feller, ya'll got indoor plummin'? Iffin' ya do, sodder's that shiny, silver lookin' stuff a holdin' yer pipes together. Brazin's a deffer'nt lookin stuff, more brass a lookin, and ya ain't a gunna' melt that stuff with no propain burnin' torch.

exas 06-07-07 10:54 PM


Originally Posted by redirekib
Hey feller, ya'll got indoor plummin'? Iffin' ya do, sodder's that shiny, silver lookin' stuff a holdin' yer pipes together. Brazin's a deffer'nt lookin stuff, more brass a lookin, and ya ain't a gunna' melt that stuff with no propain burnin' torch.

i wouldn't be able to tell, there is paint over the solder joints, i guess i could scratch it off and see if it is silver.... but what do they use to solder steel together anyways?

redirekib 06-07-07 11:02 PM


Originally Posted by exas
i wouldn't be able to tell, there is paint over the solder joints, i guess i could scratch it off and see if it is silver.... but what do they use to solder steel together anyways?

I dunno' , differ'nt stuff I s'pose. I ain't never done stuck no steel pipes ta'gether.

FlatFender 06-07-07 11:06 PM

The solder metal together with.... solder. Solder is sometimes lead, or a lead/tin alloy, or sometimes with no lead.
I promise your bike has no solder on it.

Steel bikes are brazed. brazing is a bit different than soldering. Brazing can be done with many different metals, mostly brass.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazing

Wordbiker 06-07-07 11:14 PM

Exas, it's one of those issues that if you have to ask, you may be doing something you shouldn't without a LOT more research.

What exactly are you trying to "desolder"?

Old bike frames (or new if they're Old School like Rivendell or handbuilts) are typically silver soldered or brass brazed, but even with silver the process is referred to as brazing. Either process is a somewhat refined art (not saying you can't do it, just saying that to do it well takes knowledge and skill to make a joint safe enough to ride) and if you're stuck on torch type, you have a lot to learn yet.

Here is a good place to start.

bikejack 06-08-07 01:22 AM


Originally Posted by exas
whats the difference between the two? (never did anything like this before)


Low temp Silver Solder is used by plumbers on copper pipes often with propane, what is often referred to as Silver Solder in high end bike tubes is actually Silver Braze and it requires a higher temperature to work.

Propane will put too much heat into the steel before it has any effect on the weld metal.

Torgrot 06-08-07 07:03 AM

Heating the steel instead of the silver brazing material would probably have a deterimental effect on the steel, not to mention the paint job.

torgrot

Thomas Tew 06-08-07 07:05 AM

What kind of bike is held together with solder? aren't they brazed or welded?

San Rensho 06-08-07 07:11 AM


Originally Posted by exas
is a propane torch hot enough to desoder the solder holding together steel?
TIA

What exactly are you doing, taking a frame apart or are you torching something on the bike and you want to make sure you don't de-braze the connections?

vpiuva 06-08-07 08:11 AM

I tried removing braze-ons when doing my single speed conversion and can assure you my propane torch would not remove brass brazed braze-ons. (Silver I haven't tried) Get out the hacksaw and grinder if that's what you're trying to do.

rmfnla 06-08-07 09:32 AM


Originally Posted by skingry
If you are talking about 'brazing'... then maybe. Brass, hell no. Silver, possibly. Might as well get a cheap oxy/mapp torch from the big box if you are removing braze-ons (my guess as to why you asked the question).


Brazing is brass.

FlatFender 06-08-07 09:44 AM


Originally Posted by rmfnla
Brazing is brass.

or silver, or a few other alloys.

rmfnla 06-08-07 09:53 AM


Originally Posted by FlatFender
or silver, or a few other alloys.

Silver is solder; stronger than lead/tin but still considered solder.

Brass is an alloy.

If you are using some other alloy it isn't brazing (what other alloys do you have in mind?).

vpiuva 06-08-07 10:33 AM


Originally Posted by rmfnla
Silver is solder; stronger than lead/tin but still considered solder.

Brass is an alloy.

If you are using some other alloy it isn't brazing (what other alloys do you have in mind?).

Get as technical as you want, cyclists refer to these high quality frames as "silver brazed"

ComPH 06-08-07 12:34 PM

I built whole bike using just a simple torch (no oxigen). For silver I could use propane, but for brass I had to use MAPP gas to get enough heat. I would not, however, recommend brazing of key components of the frame or fork to anyone without some practice/experience. Simple braze-ons for bottles or racks should be o.k., but I would stay away from forks. Henry James sells practice parts and can be a great source of particular advice (or alternatelly the guys on "Framebuilders" forum).


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