Hello,
I'm using a Benzomatic butane torch and making jewelry with rebar tie wire which is carbon steel wire according to the website. I've made several oval loops and want to join the two ends together. The ends have been filled down so they meet end to end and I've used steel wool to make sure the ends are clean. I've tried using Batterns flux for silver, gold & Platinum and Oatey flux No. 5. Then for solder I've tried Bernomatic solid wire solder !00% lead free and just the regular silver solder that I have in soft, medium and hard (used the soft and medium). I've tried placing the solder on top of the joint and also in between. I heat and heat and it does look like it goes sort of liquid but then with more heat it balls up instead of flowing into the joint.
Do I need a different flux or solder? Is my torch not hot enough? I have no idea if this wire has been annealed either as I own another type I haven't tried yet that is annealed.
Also does this wire need to go into a pickling solution after the water? I've been doing that but wondering if it was necessary with this type of wire.