dannyual767
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 27, 2004
- Messages
- 633
Hello all. I recently purchased an Octura OC64PKG kit for my Dumas Lil Rascal. The kit comes with a .130 flex cable and a bored 3/16" shaft stepped down to 1/8" for small props.
I read the instructions on how to silver solder the thing together. I didn't have a heavy duty soldering iron so I just went to Lowes and bought a nice Bernzomatic propane torch kit. (This is what Octura recommends to use.) I had some silver solder from years ago but I bought some new stuff anyway. Here is what I have and the types of flux:
1. Bernzomatic "silver bearing lead free solder"
2. Alpha Fry specialty siver soldering kit (from Ace Hardware, I think)
a) Bernzomatic lead free water soluble flux (white paste)
B) Alpha lead free silver solder flux (thin, watery stuff)
The flex cable is a gold brass color. I soaked the end in lacquer thinner and then applied flux a. I inserted the cable into the stub shaft and heated the assembly with the torch. The flux heated up real nice and when I thought that everything was hot enogh, I applied solder #1. When it melted, instead of going down into the bored stub shaft, it just balled up and rolled right off the stub shaft :angry: . Next, I tried solder #2 and it did the same thing :angry: .
Next, I tried flux b which is an acid flux and Octura doesn't recommend it. Both solders just rolled right off the assembly. I then tried to just tin the end of the cable with the silver solder. I tried both #1 and #2 and both fluxes. Nothing will stick to that cable. I tried to sand the cable. No go :angry: . Its as if the cable was made of aluminum!
I called Octura and they were surprized. They are supposed to call back after they talk to their cable supplier. I don't think that it is going to do any good. Can anyone offer me some help? At this point, I've spent 30 bucks on this cable assembly and a propane torch and just have a bunch of frustration to show for it!
BTW, several years ago, I tinned the end of a .187 cable with soler #2 and flux b using my soldering iron. It worked great. I don't understand what is going on now .
I read the instructions on how to silver solder the thing together. I didn't have a heavy duty soldering iron so I just went to Lowes and bought a nice Bernzomatic propane torch kit. (This is what Octura recommends to use.) I had some silver solder from years ago but I bought some new stuff anyway. Here is what I have and the types of flux:
1. Bernzomatic "silver bearing lead free solder"
2. Alpha Fry specialty siver soldering kit (from Ace Hardware, I think)
a) Bernzomatic lead free water soluble flux (white paste)
B) Alpha lead free silver solder flux (thin, watery stuff)
The flex cable is a gold brass color. I soaked the end in lacquer thinner and then applied flux a. I inserted the cable into the stub shaft and heated the assembly with the torch. The flux heated up real nice and when I thought that everything was hot enogh, I applied solder #1. When it melted, instead of going down into the bored stub shaft, it just balled up and rolled right off the stub shaft :angry: . Next, I tried solder #2 and it did the same thing :angry: .
Next, I tried flux b which is an acid flux and Octura doesn't recommend it. Both solders just rolled right off the assembly. I then tried to just tin the end of the cable with the silver solder. I tried both #1 and #2 and both fluxes. Nothing will stick to that cable. I tried to sand the cable. No go :angry: . Its as if the cable was made of aluminum!
I called Octura and they were surprized. They are supposed to call back after they talk to their cable supplier. I don't think that it is going to do any good. Can anyone offer me some help? At this point, I've spent 30 bucks on this cable assembly and a propane torch and just have a bunch of frustration to show for it!
BTW, several years ago, I tinned the end of a .187 cable with soler #2 and flux b using my soldering iron. It worked great. I don't understand what is going on now .