Silver solder wire and flux question

[Suzuki4evr]

Hi guys.
I make a lot of my own tools and I need silver solder alot for making cutting tools with HSS. The problem is that flux coated silver solder is very expensive. I've seen YouTube clips that people use a kind of silver solder wire with a container with flux. My question,can someone advise me on the appropriate product that I can buy on eBay, amazon or aliexpress that won't kill my pocket. Maybe some of my South African friends can help me? I can't seem to find a company selling the stuff here in SA.
Thanks guys

 

[middle.road]

UlmaDoc walked me through using plain ol' Borax Detergent.

Then, from the numerous YouTube videos I've watched, Harris Stay-Silv Black seems popular
https://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/en/Products/Alloys/Brazing/Fluxes/Stay-Silv-Black-Flux.aspx

There's also a couple of videos on YouTube for making up your own Silver Solder out of sterling silverware.
Quality sterling silverware is, I believe around 90%.
I've got a few mangled pieces of high quality silver utensils that I'm going to try to use someday...

 

[grzdomagala]

Look for "jewelery supply".
Common product name will "easyflow silver solder" ( https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Solder-Easy-Flow-Foot/dp/B00F1ODTUS - i didn't buy from them and don't know if they deliver to SA)
Beware - some shops advertise common electronics solder as "silver solder".

 

[benmychree]

The common silver solder is #1200; it's designation based on its melting point; the flux is made of borax in a paste with water; any welding supplier can supply it. I mostly use 1/16" diameter wire.

 

[Suzuki4evr]

Can

UlmaDoc walked me through using plain ol' Borax Detergent.
View attachment 286166
Then, from the numerous YouTube videos I've watched, Harris Stay-Silv Black seems popular
https://www.harrisproductsgroup.com/en/Products/Alloys/Brazing/Fluxes/Stay-Silv-Black-Flux.aspx

There's also a couple of videos on YouTube for making up your own Silver Solder out of sterling silverware.
Quality sterling silverware is, I believe around 90%.
I've got a few mangled pieces of high quality silver utensils that I'm going to try to use someday...

Was this a private conversation between you and Ulmadoc or can you point me to this thread please?

 

[mikey]

For simple jobs that require low temp silver solder, I use Harris Stay-Brite solder and Stay-Clean flux. Works well at low temps you can produce with a simple butane torch. I buy the 1# spool and big bottle of flux but there is a small kit you can get to try it out. I searched for Amazon South Africa and came up with this: https://www.amazon.com/STA-BRITE-Si...=1548787211&sr=8-7&keywords=harris+stay+brite

 

[Suzuki4evr]

For simple jobs that require low temp silver solder, I use Harris Stay-Brite solder and Stay-Clean flux. Works well at low temps you can produce with a simple butane torch. I buy the 1# spool and big bottle of flux but there is a small kit you can get to try it out. I searched for Amazon South Africa and came up with this: https://www.amazon.com/STA-BRITE-Si...=1548787211&sr=8-7&keywords=harris+stay+brite

Thanks Mikey

 

[cathead]

Stay-Silv silver solder flux is what I use with good success. It comes as a paste with a dauber.
I bought it at the local welding shop. It does contain fluorides and warns about the possible breathing of fumes ETC.

The package I have dried up several years ago and adding water does not return it to it's original paste state.
A small piece applied to the work when heated still makes the silver solder flow nicely so that is what I use.
I could easily afford to buy another container of Stay-Silv but my experimentation with this product in solid form proved it unnecessary.

I use this product with the 1200 degree melting point silver solder.

 

[Suzuki4evr]

Stay-Silv silver solder flux is what I use with good success. It comes as a paste with a dauber.
I bought it at the local welding shop. It does contain fluorides and warns about the possible breathing of fumes ETC.

The package I have dried up several years ago and adding water does not return it to it's original paste state.
A small piece applied to the work when heated still makes the silver solder flow nicely so that is what I use.
I could easily afford to buy another container of Stay-Silv but my experimentation with this product in solid form proved it unnecessary.
View attachment 286180
I use this product with the 1200 degree melting point silver solder.

Thank you

 

[benmychree]

I regularly add water to (not quite) dried up flux and mix it up, it has worked for me, although not as nicely as the original consistency.