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Flux source?
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17167
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Author:  Luthastro [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Flux source?

Anybody know how to get hold of some (no gallons needed) radiator flux?

Author:  Dennis Weaver [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 3:35 pm ]
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Whachootalkinbout?

D/W

Author:  Luthastro [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:43 pm ]
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Quote:
Whachootalkinbout?

D/W
Soldering flux.

Author:  Pierre [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:55 pm ]
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Any place that sells soldering supplies... Most likely local place, radioshack, hardware stores, or electronic supply places. Make sure it says anti-corrosive on it, because what you may find, esp at hardware store, is likely made for soldering copper pipe and is a lot more agressive (and corrosive...)

Mail order - digikey, jameco, mouser.

Author:  Luthastro [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:07 pm ]
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Any place that sells soldering supplies... Most likely local place, radioshack, hardware stores, Mail order - digikey, jameco, mouser.
Thanks, but radiator flux at Radical Shack? I know and have known for many years where to buy the various kinds of solder - often self-fluxed like rosin core or acid core or a coating - and several kinds of flux that I have used as a plumber, radio technician and computer tinkerer. My dad made his own flux by disolving zinc in acid.

I realize there are more different kinds of flux than there kinds of solder, but radiator flux is a different animal what you get from Ace for copper pipe (and the solder is different too). Every radiator man I've watched used a liquid, sloshing it on with a little mop, out of a quart or gallon can. That doesn't prove they all do, of course. Maybe there are some radiator men here?

Author:  emsvitil [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:12 pm ]
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I've use the plumbing flux (greasy looking stuff with a brush) and plumbing solder on a few radiators......

Author:  Pierre [ Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:28 pm ]
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Yes, you can buy liquid flux at those places as well. Maybe not in the quantity you need but it is sold in liquid form for electronics as well.

I googled "radiator flux" and turned up plenty of hits but they all seem like OEM's selling to shops only. May want to try that route as some may sell in small amounts, or perhaps stumble upon a diy radiator shop.

Item # 7598838188 on ebay is a 16oz jar labled as "Regular Paste Flux - Used in HVAC, Heat Exchangers, Plumbing, Wave Soldering, Roofing, Stained Glass, Radiator Repair and more "

Author:  Matt Cramer [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 3:25 am ]
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The material used in most radiators that came in slant six cars is pretty close to copper pipe anyway. I wouldn't hesitate to use plumbing flux on one.

Author:  Luthastro [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:29 am ]
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Quote:
Yes, you can buy liquid flux at those places as well. Maybe not in the quantity you need but it is sold in liquid form for electronics as well.
Well, I've never seen it.
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I googled "radiator flux" and turned up plenty of hits but they all seem like OEM's selling to shops only.
Which is why I was asking here. I found it in gallons, five gallons, as much as a barrel.
Quote:
Item # 7598838188 on ebay is a 16oz jar labled as "Regular Paste Flux - Used in HVAC, Heat Exchangers, Plumbing, Wave Soldering, Roofing, Stained Glass, Radiator Repair and more "
I guess I could try it even though I don't trust sales talk for 2 seconds. I've been had way too many times. Right now I'm haggling with a guy who advertised a Plymouth manual CD on eBay - half inch letters saying "PLYMOUTH 1964 1965 1966." He sent me a general CD that barely mentions Plymouth and he refuses to replace it except at more cost. As soon as the 10 day waiting period is up I'm filing a complaint.

Thanks.

Author:  SlantSixDan [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 9:34 am ]
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Quote:
Any place that sells soldering supplies... Most likely local place, radioshack, hardware stores, or electronic supply places. Make sure it says anti-corrosive on it, because what you may find, esp at hardware store, is likely made for soldering copper pipe and is a lot more agressive (and corrosive...)

Mail order - digikey, jameco, mouser.
He's looking for plumbing solder, and you're directing him towards electronics-solder. The two are not the same thing, and the "make sure it says anti-corrosive" warning is only applicable to electrics.

Author:  Luthastro [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:36 am ]
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Quote:
The material used in most radiators that came in slant six cars is pretty close to copper pipe anyway. I wouldn't hesitate to use plumbing flux on one.
Mine has copper fins but brass (where the leak is) tubes. I've had several different kinds of flux in a lifetime of repairing all kinds of things as a business and I've never gotten any of them to solder all that well on brass.

I figure flux made especially for radiators does 'em both easily. And I mean easily. When you see how fast some of these guys flash a spot there's no way it can be a half right flux. Huge torch. Slop the spot with flux, hit it with stick solder and heat, dunk it to find the next bubble source - all in about 3 or 4 seconds.

Author:  Luthastro [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:57 am ]
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"make sure it says anti-corrosive" warning is only applicable to electrics.
And VERY applicable to electronics. A day with a residue on a high speed PCB and you can probably kiss it goodbye.

Author:  Pierre [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:28 pm ]
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I'm not a radiator expert but if it'll corrode copper on a circuit board it'll corrode copper on a radiator right? Antifreeze protects against corrosion but I still wouldn't solder my radiator with soemthing I knew was corrosive....

What was that place.... eastwood, they sell leading supplies for bodywork, they may have flux there as well.

Luthastro - on the ebay auction I mentioned, I believe the container had the manufacturers website on it that offerd various sizes and types of flux.

Author:  emsvitil [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:33 pm ]
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You can clean and wash a radiator after you solder it.

Can't do that with circuit boards...........

Author:  Luthastro [ Sat Apr 22, 2006 6:22 pm ]
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I'm not a radiator expert but if it'll corrode copper on a circuit board it'll corrode copper on a radiator right?
Very easy to clean.
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What was that place.... eastwood, they sell leading supplies for bodywork, they may have flux there as well.
I'll look into that. Thanks.
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Luthastro - on the ebay auction I mentioned, I believe the container had the manufacturers website on it that offerd various sizes and types of flux.
I contacted him. He has no liquid fluxes.

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