I am in Asheville N.C. & my tools are in storage in Ohio, normally I would weld steel but I don't have my tools so not being too experienced at soldering I was wondering before investing in a torch, solder etc... whether it would be possible to solder say a clean r.r. spike to say 24 gauge sheet steel to make say butterflies & dragonflies for ornaments (like yard art)I could ship my little lincoln 110 gassless down here but hate risking it getting damaged or lost anyhow thx for the input!

Of course you could silver solder or braze. Soft solder seems kinda weak for such metal chunks as RR spikes.

I am in Asheville N.C. & my tools are in storage in Ohio, normally I would weld steel but I don't have my tools so not being too experienced at soldering I was wondering before investing in a torch, solder etc... whether it would be possible to solder say a clean r.r. spike to say 24 gauge sheet steel to make say butterflies & dragonflies for ornaments (like yard art)I could ship my little lincoln 110 gassless down here but hate risking it getting damaged or lost anyhow thx for the input!

Could you not drill and rivet the wings to the spike? You could countersink and make the rivets flush on the spike, or leave them as a feature.

I`d either braze it with a proper torch(forget the plumber`s torch or Bernzomatic) or ship the welder down and use that.
I think you`ll find soft solder too weak for this application and more trouble than it`s worth.

Thats what I was thinking, but i was trying to do the project on the cheap, I may just hafta try it, not like a plumbers torch & solder is that big an investment & will prolly use it for other things later on.... i mean if it was some kinda tool i was making i wouldnt even consider it but for a butterfly thats gonna stick in the ground or hang on a fence i thought it might be ok. does anyone have any tips on types of solder & flux or tips on technique being the most soldering i ever did was low temp silver bearing solder on knife bolsters about 15 years ago, usually i just weld & grind everything whether it needs it or not :)I really appreciate the input :D

Spring for a torch with a piezio igniter on it. You will find it more useful. I call mine "the bigger match" and use it for almost everything I need a lighter for in the garage and outside.

Even helps with my BIL's smoking habit, half the cig was gone before he got it lit!

Phil

You can silver solder or braze over charcoal bricketts in a hibotchi and you won't need a blast, not even a hair drier. A bag of Kingston costs way less than a torch that'll do the job.

Not that I'm recommending you NOT get a tool if you've come up with a good excuse of course. Oh HEAVENS NO, not me!

Frosty the Lucky.

I am in Asheville N.C. & my tools are in storage in Ohio, normally I would weld steel but I don't have my tools so not being too experienced at soldering I was wondering before investing in a torch, solder etc... whether it would be possible to solder say a clean r.r. spike to say 24 gauge sheet steel to make say butterflies & dragonflies for ornaments (like yard art)I could ship my little lincoln 110 gassless down here but hate risking it getting damaged or lost anyhow thx for the input!

Hi We met a few weeks ago at smileys. I have shipped in a $3500 plasma cutter from Calif. If ya are worried about damage or loss Ins is cheap. UPS broke a new digital drillpress coming from Chicago. Got paid for a new one and got to keep the broken one.
Ken.

Drop by the house and I will weld it or you can use my welder

Ought to be able to pick up another old lincoln tombstone locally for around $100, use it and then resell it for the same price...