Soldering stainless steel

[Deep Six]

I picked up a really sweet Winchester 70 short action that someone rebarreled to 358 win using a Douglas stainless steel barrel. Only fly in the ointment is that it doesn't currently have a front site and I don't want a scope on this gun. I've soldered on a few plain 4140 barrels with excellent results but I can't for the life of me get this stainless barrel to tin. I believe my home improvement store plumbing flux is the problem. I read about using Muriatic acid as a flux which did help some but it's still not a strong enough joint.

Someone has to have done this successfully with soft solder. Please help me!

[NSB]

I think you're going to have to silver solder it and use a heat sink to protect the barrel. Heat sink = wet cloth around barrel near the soldering joint.

[Deep Six]

There has to be a way using soft solder.

[bangerjim]

To weld SST, most use a MIG welding set-up.

Do a google search......for just about ANY question you may have! On anything!

Here is just one of many many links fro a quick search:

http://www.brazing.com/techguide/pro.../stainless.asp


banger

[dkf]

An inorganic acid flux will work. I have had best results on stainless with an appropriate size (watt) iron.(a typical soldering iron is not big enough) Cleanliness is your friend. A TIG welder is what you need for fine work with the smallest bead, however IMO it will put too much heat in the barrel. Don't get near it with a MIG welder.

[country gent]

I believe you will need a special flux for stainless steel. We used a water based fux called Stay sil when soldering stainless. New flux also isnt the same as it was 10 years ago as the lead is gone now mostly tin now. You might make a stop at a welders supply shop and ask there they should have the answers and supplies your looking for.

[Deep Six]

That's a good thought. I'll stop by one after work this week. Also saw that Brownells advertises their Hi-force 44 solder for use on stainless if you use their recommended flux. Anybody tried this?

[6bg6ga]

If Brownells advertises a Hi-force 44 solder I would call them for their recommendations for a usable flux.

[tomme boy]

Lead does not stick to SS

[M-Tecs]

Some usefull links

http://www.kester.com/kester-content...less_Steel.pdf

http://www.wikihow.com/Solder-Stainless-Steel

http://www.jm-metaljoining.com/pdfs-...ss%20Steel.pdf

http://www.superiorflux.com/stainles...ring_flux.html

http://www.stainless-steel-tube.org/...less-Steel.htm

[NSB]

Lead does not stick to SS

That's why you use silver solder

[cold1]

HVAC supply house usually has StayBright8 in stock. Use the correct Flux. Amazon may also have it.

http://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/e...Soldering.aspx

[fast ronnie]

Why not drill and tap for the front? I've got an xp and a mauser done that way.

[pietro]

Why not drill and tap for the front? I've got an xp and a mauser done that way.

+1 - AKA "the EASY button".........................................


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[Deep Six]

I don't possess a jig or drill press for such a task. Also the barrel has a standard factory 0.65" diameter at the muzzle combined with a 35 cal bore. This doesn't leave a whole lot of meat for drilling and tapping. I'd probably have to start with a bottoming tap and that sounds like a recipe for failure. Soldering also allows me to get the index perfect whereas with drilling you only get one chance.

[MaLar]

Try this and some epoxy.
http://www.brownells.com/rifle-parts...prod12041.aspx

[Col4570]

Oxalic Acid will do the trick,Rhubarb leaves crushed and the juice extracted is a good flux for SS.

[6bg6ga]

Lead does not stick to SS

I made the assumption the poster is talking about silver solder. Silver solder will stick.

[docone31]

I use white gold solder. When I get SS rings to resize, white gold solder sticks well. 10K. I use Batterns flux.
It is not good to pickle. It contaminates the pot. I grind the flux off. This makes an invisible line.
Works for me.

[smokeywolf]

Silver solder or silver braze stainless.