[RCFlyingKnight]

Can anyone tell me the difference in procedure for soldering a braided cable as opposed to a solid one. I once again did a terrible job of soldering the clevis on a flex cable for throttle operation. I can't even get it tinned nicely, I basicly end up having a ball of solder sit on top of the cable and getting a cold solder joint. I know the wire is getting hot because it turns red. I'm using a soldering iron(don't know wattage) with flux core silver solder.

I got it done. It survived a pull test. But it was a lot more work than using a solid wire.

[JimMcIntyre]

Getting/keeping the wire clean is key, also silver solder will provide a better mechanical connection than typical plumbing/electrical type solders.

Heat is also key, apply heat from the bottom, don't touch tthe solder to the iron, if you have to then the cable is too cold and you likely need a higher wattage iron.

[voyager_663rd]

Don't feel bad. I've never been able to get a satisfactory silver solder on braid either. Didn't matter which brand I used (steel like the kind supplied in the kit or golden rod) or how hot I got it. I've even resorted to a torch (cherry red--maybe too hot??) with no luck. It always ends up blobby. Personally, I think it's impossible

Having said that, cleanliness is really really important. But as I see it, how do you clean "in between" the braids?

[benjhind]

I'm not the only one! I once melted the throttle arm on a carb heating the joint with a torch... :shock:

Here's the method I use:

1) Clean the braided wire, and go over it with sandpaper
2) Heat the joint with your soldering iron until the solder will melt on either the braided wire or the clevice thingy
3) Apply ample solder to the joint, grit your teeth as it all blobs up and drips off
4) Use a butane torch to heat the joint, melt or set fire to something nearby
5) Put something in behind the joint to serve as a heat guard and try again
6) Heat both the clevice thingy and the braided wire until they glow red-hot
7) Apply ample solder to the joint, yell, curse and swear as it all blobs up and drips off
8) Burn yourself on one of your hot surfaces or tools
9) Yell, curse, swear, and go tell a loved one that you are done with this stupid hobby for good
10) Find the biggest pair of pliars or vice grips you've got, and pinch the clevice thingy down hard onto the braided wire
11) Explain to yourself that you know its not the right way, but if it ever comes off you can just fly around until you're out of fuel, because thats how you usually decide to land anyways

Its really that easy.

[JimMcIntyre]

Look for a product: "Stay Brite" I believe it's called.

Here's a good link: http://www.gswagner.com/misc/silversolder.html

[4*60]

100 watt soldering gun

[volksman]

plumbers flux paste cures a lot of the problems soldering things that dont like to take solder. a 100 watt iron is handy a 40 will do the job if its clean and tinned. i use a 100 watt weller for just about everything from circuit boards to connectors just gotta be careful. plain old eletronic solder is quite fine for doing clevices and thread tubes to attach clevices

[JimMcIntyre]

Originally Posted by volksman

... i use a 100 watt weller for just about everything from circuit boards ...

To think I felt guilty using my 25 watt to solder to a trace last week (couldn't find my 15 watt). I hope you use heat sinks....

Silver soldering I use a small butane torch for the small stuff, a plumbers torch for landing gear, cabanes etc.

[volksman]

jim i said careful not the first tme ive used solder iron. its actually the 100/140 watt model. anything i i can get the tip on i will use it.

[Wayne MIller]

Hi,

I'm not sure of the clevis you have, but if is one that you slide the braded wire into, just take a dremel with a griding wheel and grind a hole half way through the clevis, located half way between where the wire enters and exits the clevis. You should be able to see the wire through the hole you ground in the clevis when you slide the wire in.

Now, slide a dura collar over the clevis before you put the braded wire in, make sure the dura collar set screw will go through the hole you ground in the clevis, then slide the braded wire in, then tighten the dura collar screw through the hole you ground in the clevis to pinch and hold the wire in the clevis.

Hope this helps.

Fly4Fun,

Wayne Miller