Looking for suggestions on soldering adjustable L brackets to a 2 oz. uniflo tank. Flame,  electric gun, flux or not? Could possibly epoxy but would like to solder if i can figure how  without breaking loose the other joints and tubes.  Thanks for any tips!! Ray

Hi Ray,

Actually pretty easy thing to do if you have the proper solderring iron/gun.. I use a large Weller soldering gun but a 60 watt or higher iron will work fine. Use electronic solder 60/40 available from radio Shack, you typically won't need any additional flux.. Do not use acid core solder or Stay Bright flux, not necessary and just causes corrosion problems unless you know what you are doing and how to clean it well.

Tin both the tank and the brass mount, touch the iron to and apply a thin coat of solder to the parts you will be joining. I place the tank in a small vise with the end up, set the brass mount on the tank and apply the iron to the topside of the brass mount.. Apply a bit of solder to help the iron heat up the brass, than apply a bit of solder to the edges between the mount and tank. The solder will wick in between the mount and tank.

You may move the mount out of place but just scoot it back with the iron or figure out some way to clamp/hold it in place while you solder it.

The iron won't heat up the existing tank joints enough to melt the solder unless you get carried away and hold the iron on too long. The parts you are soldering need to be hot enough to melt the solder or you won't get a good joint. If you just touch the solder to the iron to get a small bridge between the iron and item, this helps the iron transfer the heat. Than move the solder off to the side on the item you are soldering, you will know you have it hot enough when the solder melts.

Lots easier to do than explain...

   I have been using e Ersin 5 core rosin core that I buy at electronic supply stores.
  As for the gun I use a Weller 100-140 watt gun and I use a  solder paste to be sure that all parts are clean.
  Don't use an acid core flux as it will cause rust and other problems 
  I like that idea about putting the tank on a piece of pine to keep it from moving !
  Good luck...........

Would JB weld not work should hold ok and is fuel proof also

Would JB weld not work should hold ok and is fuel proof also

I wouldn't do it, have fixed a few tanks for other club members that tried to hold mounts on with JB weld.. It didn't hold..

Hello there all.  I was wondering while reading this post can someone please describe the method of tinning.  As was taken from an earlier post in this topic. 'Tin both the tank and the brass mount......'.  Thanks all.

Look around and find a stainless wire brush.  They don't cost very much and save trouble.  The small amount of solder is an important point - I had to drill out a filler tube on a tank this afternoon.  I managed to plug it at the bottom when I replaced it. 

Finished soldering the tank!! What i thought was a nice Weller soldering gun in my old tool box was a R**** Shack brand and only managed to heat enough to mess up. My engineer neighbor convinced me to use his butane torch and he was right on!! Had to splice two pieces together to go across the fuselage and down the other side also. Everything worked great. With the mini torch i was able to touch and go at the tank and i pre tinned everything and used paste flux and resin core solder. Worked great, i will definitely add one to my tool box.  Hopefully will try out the airplane this weekend. Thanks for all the helpful tips.   Ray  C.