Consistency of flux does matter
#1
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Consistency of flux does matter
Pulled the flux off the shelf yesterday and discovered it was a tad thicker than normal so I added water, too much water so I thought. Consistency of the flux was a bit runny, but there is no way to remove water from it so I used it. Discovered that it flowed the filler (silver) better than it did when it was fresh out of the tub when new. Not sure why, but it really did make a difference. Has anyone experienced this or is it my imagination?
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I like fresh flux, but I always let it dry out. I have never noticed any difference between fresh and dilute flux in the way it works
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Using Gasflux B I generally add a little water(distilled as suggested somewhere, and even when the flux is not dried out) to obtain a thick cream like consistency that flows on smoothly. I lose a little this way from runoff but for me it works better than straight from container which leaves very thin coverage in some areas that burn even on initial heating, well before other areas approach liquid/brazing temps. Once I apply the flux and it starts to "crust" I let it cool just a bit, then add more of the "cream" to get a thicker layer, seems to work best for me (I'm doing this with fillet practice), no downside that I'm aware of.
Since we're discussing flux what causes the reddish hue seen below? The fillet is mine but I see this color on some pro fillet pics as well.
Since we're discussing flux what causes the reddish hue seen below? The fillet is mine but I see this color on some pro fillet pics as well.
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Brian
Brian
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I am pretty sure it is a light precipitate of copper, sort of like the carbon precipitate you see on a typical joint. I have seen it sometimes on my fillets. It's easy to overheat some bronze. I think this is evidence that some was overheated a little. It's not indicative of a problem at all AFAIK. Even the joints that have copper all over them probably will hold up fine.
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He has been practicing, warms my heart. You too can make fillets like that, just practice a lot.
#7
framebuilder
This is an essential tool to have in class because a student almost always adds too much if they go to the sink and try to add a little water from the faucet. If that happens the tub has to sit out in the sun for awhile.
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Doug, you spritz the tub? I always add too much water, I put it in the microwave
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I'll set my faucet to a drip and then wave the tub back and forth, in and out, of the drips. Usually don't over add this way. I like my flux thick, not runny. Andy
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#10
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