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Advice needed on soldering sheet metal

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Advice needed on soldering sheet metal #1

09-01-2008, 08:45 AM

I have been asked by a client to solder the seams on galvanized sheet

metal flashing. The material is 4"x4"x20ga. galvanized sheet angle. The task
Woodman is to solder the horizontal seams to prevent rain water from getting through
Junior Member to subfloor materials. I haven't soldered any type of sheet metal for many
years, If my memory serves me correctly, we used 50/50 solid wire solder
and a heavy duty ( I don't remember the watts) soldering iron.
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 12 My research has only raised more questions. Are the butane Micro-torches
better than electric Irons? Will the micro-torch burn up the galvanize
plating? If an electric iron is better, what wattage should I purchase for this
application? Is 95/5 Solder Paste with Flux better than solid wire?

Any advice to help me through the learning curve is greatly appreciated,

thanks,
Woodman

Tags: None

09-01-2008, 09:36 AM #2

I'm a little confused, is it roofing your soldering of a floor? either way what
is directly under it? I don't know anything about what it is your doing but i'm
curious since i might have a project coming up that may require a
Laiky waterproof barrier.
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09-01-2008, 01:35 PM #3

kcstott
Senior Member

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Join Date: Dec 2007

Posts: 1086
use a torch of any kind as it will degrade the galvanize and will never allow
your solder to flow properly. I use electric irons only unless I'm silver
brazing but that's different.
Oh and clean, clean, clean!!! your part before your solder.
Kerry

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09-01-2008, 04:04 PM #4

for that i just did some flashing like you want to do i use a propane torch
with pencil tip and lenox cored solder it holds really well and has not rusted
and we get plenty of rain here in seattle
twitch
Junior Member

Join Date: Jul 2008

Posts: 13

09-01-2008, 10:23 PM #5

Originally posted by Laiky

I'm a little confused, is it roofing your soldering of a floor? either
Woodman way what is directly under it? I don't know anything about what it
Junior Member is your doing but i'm curious since i might have a project coming
up that may require a waterproof barrier.

Join Date: Jan 2007

Posts: 12 Sorry for the confusion,
The one leg of the flashing slips behind the aluminum siding on a houseboat
cabin, while the other leg lays flat on pressure treated wood decking. The
joints are laps, where the 10ft lengths join together. I only need to solder
the flat legs.

Thanks for your inputs,

woodman

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09-01-2008, 10:32 PM #6

I like the Harris acid flux and Harris 50-50 solder. I use a Hexacon 250 watt
Iron but the 200 watt should be fine. I did a lot of copper and brass when I
was working and the extra wattage comes in handy. I think you can get a
burninbriar Hexacon for around $200.00. You might want to google them to be sure
Senior Member though, its been a long time.

Here is there website.

Join Date: Sep 2005 http://www.hexaconelectric.com/
Posts: 2260
This is the style I have.
http://www.hexaconelectric.com/hvyduty.html

Last edited by burninbriar; 09-01-2008, 10:41 PM.

To all who contribute to this board.

My sincere thanks , Pete.

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09-02-2008, 04:43 AM #7

Originally posted by Woodman

Sorry for the confusion,
PTsideshow while the other leg lays flat on pressure treated wood decking.
Senior Member
woodman

Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 350 You may want to check on placing the flashing galvanized or other than a
copper tape type on or next to the pressure treated wood. All the flashing
and sealing tape around here has a don't use on or next to pressure treated
wood.
A cheaper alternative is a real soldering coppers

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With the wooded handle on them they are heated in a soldering stove or
furnace, or by a torch and soldered the seam. You also can use the Sal
Ammoniac brick You need two coppers so it goes smoothly.

http://www.johnsonmfg.com/temp/FTOOL.HTM

http://www.johnsonmfg.com/temp/SalBlock.htm

You can get everything you need at the site for the coppers or soling
blocks.

glen, If your not on the edge, your wasting space

09-02-2008, 07:00 AM #8

There are irons like the ones pictured with an air/acy torch built in to the
wooden handle. I have one, but it is very old. Got it in a box of "junk" for $5
Using these irons probably requires some practice, but I havent tried yet.

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grey
Junior Member

I dont know the advantages or disadvantages of either, really.

Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 5

09-02-2008, 08:32 AM #9

Originally posted by grey

There are irons like the ones pictured with an air/acy torch built in
PTsideshow to the wooden handle. I have one, but it is very old. Got it in a
Senior Member box of "junk" for $5
Using these irons probably requires some practice, but I havent
tried yet.
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 350 Electric is probably more effective.

I dont know the advantages or disadvantages of either, really.

Other than getting one the way you did, they also come in nat gas and
propane. Johnson still makes them see my links in the above post.
Its scale of use vs. cost for the start up buy.

The larger the wattage the more they cost. The old style soldering coppers
are cheaper and if the tang is tight to the heads they will work.

The problem with used electrics from flea bay is they may be repaired, and
heat up but not to full working temperature or the cord is so bad it would
scare Tesla

A good tinknocker with two coppers and a torch for heat can really do a
long seem like they were rolling a glue seam down.

It does takes some practice but, but an amateur can do a credible job. To
keep the solder from flowing all over and every which way. you can use
white out for smaller items paint a ring or line were you want the flux and
solder to stop.
You can use yellow ocher mixed with alcohol and then dried and I have
seen a graphite line used as a solder stop, but haven't tried it.

glen, If your not on the edge, your wasting space

09-02-2008, 08:40 AM #10

Here is a Drake brand iron

PTsideshow
Senior Member

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Join Date: Jun 2008

Posts: 350

Here are some replacement tips for 125 wattage and 225/250wattage
irons.

American Beauty is another brand name

http://www.americanbeautytools.com/site/
They have some vidoes on soldering.

glen, If your not on the edge, your wasting space

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