So I've practiced soldering stainless numerous times thought I had it down. So I ordered the radius flange 1.5in TC from brewhardware. Watched their videos numerous times on installing the TC flanges.
Gave everything a good sanding, cleaned with soap/water, then cleaned with acetone. Got out the stainless soldering kit I bought from brewhardware a few months back. Brushed on a liberal coat of flux to both surfaces. Clamped on the flange and checked for large gaps. Started heating the areas around the flange first then heated the flange, would pull the flame away and check for solder melt, did this numerous times trying to evenly heat every thing. Everything is going good at this point, but that all soon changes. As soon as the solder starts to melt there is no capillary action the solder just beads up and runs off. So I grab the flux brush add some more flux, this helps. Here is what I ended up with.
This is the worst one. Leaked like crazy.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242154.070694.jpg
This is the better one. Also leaked like crazy.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242171.409810.jpg
So I heated everything back up and removed the flanges. Here is what I'm left with.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242184.501698.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242195.272717.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242207.526848.jpg
Can the flanges and/or kettle be salvaged?
My thoughts are take my dremel and carefully sand/grind to clean off the solder from the kettle and flanges. Then attempt it again.
Gave everything a good sanding, cleaned with soap/water, then cleaned with acetone. Got out the stainless soldering kit I bought from brewhardware a few months back. Brushed on a liberal coat of flux to both surfaces. Clamped on the flange and checked for large gaps. Started heating the areas around the flange first then heated the flange, would pull the flame away and check for solder melt, did this numerous times trying to evenly heat every thing. Everything is going good at this point, but that all soon changes. As soon as the solder starts to melt there is no capillary action the solder just beads up and runs off. So I grab the flux brush add some more flux, this helps. Here is what I ended up with.
This is the worst one. Leaked like crazy.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242154.070694.jpg
This is the better one. Also leaked like crazy.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242171.409810.jpg
So I heated everything back up and removed the flanges. Here is what I'm left with.
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242184.501698.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242195.272717.jpg
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1481242207.526848.jpg
Can the flanges and/or kettle be salvaged?
My thoughts are take my dremel and carefully sand/grind to clean off the solder from the kettle and flanges. Then attempt it again.