Now that I will be working with phosphor bronze wire for railings and such, is there a particular preferred temperature (or range) which is best (I have a dialable digital soldering station)- and standard electrical solder, right? Cedarwoodron
I’ve used mine set at 680 degrees F and this worked just fine. On the other hand, I only turn down my setting when I need to for a specific job that needs it. You may well be able to get good results at lower heat.
Answer: Same temp as soldering anything else. The idea is to melt the solder, not the work. The melting temp of solder is the same, no matter what metal is being soldered.
What he said!
Every iron or gun will work slightly different as well as your technique. You’re not getting a penetration into the wire, but you need sufficient heat to allow the solder to flow (not just melt). This is especially true for wanting the railings to show that they have been welded. So you may need a higher temp enough to allow solder to flow onto the heated wire and taper not gob around the joint requiring time consuming filing and shaping at such a small “weld”. I would experiment w/ not only varying heat, but different solders as well. Some time using liquid flux and a quick wipe prior to soldering will give a nice even “shine” w/o placing too much solder.
Good answers so far.
I would just add that you should use a heat sink of some sort to keep the heat away from already soldered joints close by. A wet paper towel works. Sometimes I use my small needle nose pliers with an elastic on the handles to act like a clamp.
Dave