Brazing flux and setup?

[Rod MI]

I'm trying to braze with Silicon Bronze rod ( https://weldingsupply.securesites.co...ngthssilbr.gif ) and it seems to ball up, not flow, or stick on a known clean surface. Dues this sound like a flux problem? I'm currently using a Borax based soap.

What is a good flux to use? I'm thinking of getting some Hobart Brazing Flux, or STAY-SILV WHITE. Is this the flux I need to braze with? I'm using Oxy/LP if that matters.

If I wonted to try using Borax what is a know good brand and where can it be found?

[usmcpop]

Having the base metal at the right temperature is important. You may have the base metal too hot.

Are you trying to use a Borax-based laundry detergent, or straight-up 20 Mule Team Borax?

[Rod MI]

It's Borax-based hand soap made by Namico. It's old and not made any longer sow no more information on it. This is the replacement but with different spec. http://carrollco.com/techsheet/963ts.pdf

Is 20 Mule Team Borax good stuff to use? It looks like Walmart has it.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/20-Mule-Te...76-oz/11027366

[usmcpop]

You do not want hand soap or laundry detergent! That 20 Mule stuff should be plain old Borax (also known as Sodium tetraborate decahydrate). Try it. At very least you can throw a bit in with your laundry and gradually use it up.

Some fluxes have both Borax and Boric Acid (stuff that kills roaches). My can of Lincoln flux does. I got it on closeout at Lowes or Home Depot. I got some Boric acid at Family Dollar or one of those places where people who have roaches shop. Haven't tried mixing any myself.

[canoecruiser]

or one of those places where people who have roaches shop.

I fell off the chair laughing! Especially like how you excluded yourself from that demographic.

Haven't brazed in awhile but Anti-Borax Brazing Flux No. 2 always worked for me. A one pound can is a lifetime buy unless you do it every day. Always cleaned the area and ground off any zinc if it was galvanized (for health reasons too).

[usmcpop]

I see an occasional roach here and there, LOL. My wife is oriental, and having the occasional hitchhiker in a box from the ethnic grocery store is one of life's hazards. Haven't had to use the Boric acid yet, though. Years ago I could identify a few species of the critters, Brown-banded, German, Oriental or whatnot. They prefer different habitats. Thank goodness we don't have any around here that are the size of mice, like further south. My worst household pests are raccoons that come in the cat door and the live chipmunks that the cats drag in and let loose. Takes days to get rid of the chippies sometimes. Carolina flying squirrels in the house are a hoot, but that has only happened twice.

There might be much better fluxes for Sil Bronze, as opposed to just plain brass brazing rod. But I do think that Borax hand soap with lanolin won't cut it.

[canoecruiser]

Oh man, those palmetto bugs will pull a knife on you! First time I saw one was like a bad horror movie. The Florida locals were howling with laughter; I was going for the 12 gauge. Here in semi-rural Maryland I've had a rabid raccoon and a groundhog, both swatted with a .30 Carbine; the raccoon at midnight who was very aggressive. It took some explaining to the State Troopers that responded to "shots fired with lots of yelling" but they figured it out and no steel bracelets were produced. I can do without that excitement.

Even with two cats I get mice at first frost. Put a glue trap down and nabbed one while at work. Came inside with the cats and one sensed the critter right away and went for it. Poor mouse and glue trap got stuck to her face and she went berserk. It's really tough to chase down a freaked cat when you're laughing so hard.

I'm with ya' on the lanolin, though I hear Pam works on MIG nozzles to keep the spatter from sticking.

[Blacksmith]

Straight 20 Mule Team Borax can be used as a flux for forge welding steel. I have used it, just not very well. I am known in my guild for whipping out the 6011 or MIG and making "forged" welds.

[Rod MI]

Thanks everyone. I tried some 20 Mule Team Borax it seems to work ok. I bet real brazing flux will work better. But this will work for the occasional uses I have.