- Joined
- Oct 18, 2016
- Messages
- 2,872
I guess it's human nature to only show off our successes: bright shiny perfectly fabricated parts we can be proud of. But we know it doesn't
work that way all the time. Today's sample is tube adapter made from two turned parts soldered together. (Yes, aluminum solder.) The
solder joint is great, but the parts got a little warmish in the process and started melting. I've used this stuff before, but it's tricky because
the temperature difference between a nicely soldered assembly and disaster is just a few hundred degrees, and unlike steel, the aluminum
does't change color with temperature. As I was headed for the garage, the thought crossed my mind that I should knock out a quick practice
part to get me back up to speed on technique, but of course I thought "I've got this covered since I've done it before". Sure saved a lot of
time with that thought...