BS blade solder questions

[AGCB97]

I'm looking for experienced info on silver soldering of band saw blades. I've watched videos and made a jig and scarf soldered with the flux and solder I had on hand. They came out straight and ran good in the saw but don't last long before the joint comes apart. What I'd like to know from those of you that do this is:
1. type brand and source for solder (% silver, I assume hard 75%)
2. same for flux
3. heat source you use (I have a standard propane bottle torch and a small butane torch)
4. any other special techniques

Thanks for your time to answer these queries.
Aaron

 

[f350ca]

I've been making them for years for the horizontal, 14 inch metal saw and an 18 inch wood saw in the cabinet shop.
My joints are hit and miss, some last the life of the blade, some let go and need resoldered in minutes.
Can't tell you the silver content in my roll, bought it years ago, lasts forever.
I use the white Harris flux, very sparingly or you have lots to clean off the blade when it travels.
Saw on another forum that you should anneal the blade after soldering, that didn't work, they broke quick, stopped annealing and had beter results.
Getting the scarf joint accurate is a big factor, I need to make a beter jig.
I use a regular propane torch, gives plenty of heat for blades.
My horizontal saw uses 3/4 blades, tried soldering a 1 inch one for the neighbour, could not get it to last.
Hope this helps, keep trying

Greg

 

[AGCB97]

Thanks Greg. Looks like everyone must buy new.
Aaron

 

[f350ca]

Actually I recently started buying blades too Aaron, I can now buy premade blades cheaper than the roll stock, and there's no waste at the end of the roll.

Greg

 

[AGCB97]

I also would buy blades but several 100' rolls of stock fell into my lap. Maybe I should try to sell them?
Aaron

 

[nnam]

I mig welded a few before, one lasted very long. The others broke. I think the jig must be good. I only clamped them up. It's hard to make it repeatable and consistent. brazing probably is a good idea. I will try it someday.

 

[Mini Cooper S]

I only weld blades or more properly, have my son weld them. He is much better at it than I. I do know that the weld must be annealed properly or the life of the weld will be short. I see a blade welder in my future!
Sorry, I just looked them up on eBay, no blade welder in my future.

Richard