Linnard?s hydrogen on demand system without electricity !

[ResinRat2]

I have been having many problems getting the silver solder to stick to the tungsten/carbide rods. Initially I was trying with a soldering iron and flux, but couldn't get it to stick. I switched to a propane torch, but even that didn't get the solder to adhere to the electrodes surfaces. I got one to stick to one electrode, but it refused to adhere to another, then broke off from the original electrode. Going nuts actually!!!

I tried heating the electrodes for a good 5 minutes at full force with the propane torch, trying to get them hot enough to meld with the solder, but all the solder did was lay on the surface like a molten blob of mercury, then harden and not stick. I tried polishing the rods first, then heating, then using flux, but this is funky for me. I am not a welding man, I have no acetylene torch ( that may be what I need ) and I don't know anyone who has one except my brother; and I've waited long enough for his help previously to know it's never going to happen. Heat may be my problem, I might not be getting the surfaces hot enough. A quarter inch thick T/C rod may take a higher heat to get this to work.

I have reached a consensus that I am just going to build a small frame out of plexiglass to just hold the rods together with sliver solder wound between each rod so there is separation for the gas to escape, and just glue the frame together to hold the rods in place. Even with temperature shrinkage there should be enough room for the silver solder to keep contact with all the rods. This small block of rods will then be glued into the center of the T/C chamber to hold it in place. Sorry, I have been going kind of crazy trying different ways of heating these puppies. Can't get the solder to stick so far.

Believe you me, I want to get going with this!! I have not given up, just been trying to work outside my comfort zone. I am just not having good luck so far.

[drspark]

RR2,

The metals to be brazed with silver solder must be orange glowing hot, use lots of flux.

Try SSing a couple of near same sized iron pieces for practice.

Wolfraum will really take the heat and i mean REALLY TAKE SOME HEAT  I dont know if it can be brazed.
you might arc weld them with hi W rods thats just a guess....
if you can, just tack the rod to the rod next to it on the ends
best of luck    its just a hurdle to overcome, some are like mountains tho.

"""Welds in molybdenum and tungsten are brittle (<50% joint efficiency), and thus these metals are difficult to join. Before welding, molybdenum and tungsten must be preheated above their ductile to brittle transition temperatures to prevent fracture. Heavy sections of molybdenum should be preheated and postheated when welded to reduce thermal stresses.
"""
http://www.welding-advisers.com/Refractory-metals.html
Refractory-metals: usage and joining practice

Dave
EDIT   i mean silver brazing *solder* not plumbers solder  which will vaporize at the temps W will start glowing at, both will probably.

[ResinRat2]

OK Dave,

Just as I suspected, HEAT is my problem. See what happens when not using the right tools?

I'm not purchasing an arc welder just to do this.So this shifts me to my backup plan which is to use the silver solder as a wrap instead of brazing it on. All I wanted was the connection. That should be sufficient to accomplish what I need.

It's settled in my mind then, I'll quit wasting time with this heating method and just use the silver solder wrapping idea with the plexiglass frame.

Thank you very much Dave. I appreciate the info. Too bad I didn't ask sooner, I just thought it would be a simple thing to do. I was wrong!

[drspark]

RR2,

You really want a good electric connection, if that connection is in the water (so to say) it will corrode or poison.
IF the connectiion is not in the water then disregard.

Can you get mapp gas where you live  (some places are becoming INSANE) rant off
you need two or more torches aimed at the place you want to try zapping or brazing.

Take a look in the local phone book you have a interesting problem to solve ill bet there are people like your bro (um pressure him) welders out there that can do it, if its possable to find w rods (which i think you have already)

you can make a welder out of an old microwave oven   a really nice one if you have 4 or more old microwave ovens to scab, hint the hv out on the transformer is where you connect house current in  google "home made welder" +microwave

if your in michigan your wellcome to use my teeny welder and my torch.....

Dave

[loosecannon]

here is a link to a page with a little bit of info about silver soldering things like tungsten carbide.
http://www.laymar-crafts.co.uk/tech6.htm

just the basics there, but some good points to consider.
im thinking that the tungsten rods may not have been clean enough, or may have had some sort of coating on them that wouldnt allow the solder to stick.

or maybe just not enough heat.

can anyone see anything wrong with using acetone to clean the rods prior to brazing?

i think really clean and really hot should get you there.

what diameter rods are you using again?
LC