Subject: Re: Cold Welding Cast Iron

From: [email-masked](Roger Loving)
Date: 15 Dec 1996 02:07:37 GMT

In
<[email-masked]>
Tom Kruesel <[email-masked]> writes: 
>
>I'm not sure this is the process that was in question a few weeks
back, 
>but it sounds like it to me. I was skimming a new Lindsay Press book
when 
>I ran across "Cold Soldering".  It works for "dirty cast iron" even.  
>here's the Reader's Digest version. see p. 250, or e-mail me)
>
>A Flux of 1 part metallic Sodium to 50-60 parts mercury, which must be

>stored in an air-tight container.  (shake to mix)

    I can't wait to hear how this works - from someone else! Good God
Tom ! Metallic sodium? Mercury? And later on in the post it talks about
adding hot water? Please, if anyone tries this be careful! - 
                                                            Roger L.

---

From: Tom Kruesel <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 14 Dec 1996 15:18:09 -0600

I'm not sure this is the process that was in question a few weeks back, 
but it sounds like it to me. I was skimming a new Lindsay Press book when 
I ran across "Cold Soldering".  It works for "dirty cast iron" even.  
here's the Reader's Digest version. (if you want the whole text, buy te 
book "Metalworking" from Lindsay and see p. 250, or e-mail me)

The solder is a weak solution of Sulphate of copper (10 oz to 1 qt. 
Water)  Precipitate the copper with Zinc rods.  Wash precipitate several 
times with hot water.  Drain off water and for every3 oz of precipitate, 
add 6-7 oz of mercury.  This will form a paste which becomes VERY hard in 
a couple of hours.  Make into small pellets that will soften when heated.

When ready to use, slowly heat till it "sweats" mercury.  Wipe this 
mercury off and kneed the pellet  with mortar & pestal till a smooth 
putty.  Flux surface and smear "solder in".  Sets in a couple of hours.

Hope this is helpful.  From what I remember reading, anyone who has success
with this owes me $2000.00 and a three month apprenticeship!  ;^)

I'll be checking the mail for those cheques...

Tom