soldering information?

Question

is it possible to solder copper plate where there is a small gap between the pieces. in other words can you bridge a gap with solder?

Answer 1

Sure you can. However this is a little more difficult than plain lap soldering; skill is required. Possible methods-

If the plates can be laid on a flat surface or backed up with something that will support the solder without bonding to the support, the job will be much easier.

If you have open gaps, especially vertical ones, you will want to pay attention to the kind of solder. Solder melting takes different steps depending on the alloy, or mixture of metals in the solder.

Some go from solid to flowing liquid form in only a few degrees, and would be hard to use for your purpose. Electrical solders are usually like this. Others go from solid to plastic consistency and then liquid, so they have a "working range" in the plastic state. Plumbing solders are more like this. Having a range where it can be manipulated without flowing away like water makes it possible to literally stack it in a gap and fill space.

Heat control is the other thing that makes filling practical. you would want to keep the heat right at the work point, and quickly lower it as you moved- such as by using a damp cloth below the workpoint as a heat sink to solidify the solder closer to it.

Answer 2

If its an electrical circuit just cut a small piece of copper wire and make a jumper on the gap, and it will be easy to solder the ends of the jumper. It is not recommended to use solder alloy as a main conductor. It is good if you have a contact between the copper wires and use solder just as a "glue". If its other than electrical circuit nothing stops you to fill the gap with solder stuff. :-)

Answer 3

Yes, you can bridge a small gap with solder. I have often soldered a small break in a printed circuit. I have also soldered small brackets to a piece which aren't flush by beading the solder along the seam.
It is not usually recommended if maximum strength is preferred in the joint, but it is strong enough for a lot of light duty applications.
The most common failures are caused by "cold solder" - i.e. the base metal isn't sufficiently heated to assure a good, solid solder joint.

Answer 4

First off you have to use a flux to get the solder to stick to the copper plates and then another hint, solder will follow the heat source, in other words if you want the solder to flow up hill then put the heat above where your soldiering and it will flow towards the heat. I hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 5

What do you mean by small? Soldering typically has a gap of less than .005 thinck which is about width of a piece of paper
Soldering is not for filling gaps. that is what brazing is for and much better. But you can bridge a small gap with solder but it will be much less strong if you do it right and braze the pieces. there is a lot of info on the two on the internet.

Answer 6

just like welding you can bridge a gap with solder, you will have to use a lot of solder and just fill the gap. You are familiar with soldering arent you?

Answer 7

yes!

the problem you will have is heating the plate and solder. the larger the plate- the more heat transfer away from the zone you are trying to fill. You might have to get a torch to get it hot enough to take the solder with a good, reliable joint.

Answer 8

Electricity is measured in Watts. Go with the highest watts. You need a soldering KIT. They come with everything you need. it's about 20.00 at walmart you tube some tutorials for how to solder.

Answer 9

I suppose if the plates were themselves heated to where the solder would flow evenly, why not? That would be fine for electrical purposes. If u are an artist then binding, tyeing, bolting would be better. u failed to mention the application, electrical or mechanical

Answer 10

i've done it before, it's a bit tricky. You have to melt enough solder so that you can move the liquid solder to the other side and let it dry.