Soldering Accessories

Solder and soldering supplies: Alpha Fry tin/lead and lead-free repair solder, silver-bearing alloys, flux-core solder and specialty brazing kits in diameters from 0.02 to 0.125 in., plus soldering tools and accessories. Two specs decide the buy. Alloy is set by the application — lead-free silver-bearing solder is required on potable water lines, 60/40 tin/lead is for electrical and non-potable work only. Diameter is set by the joint: 0.062 in. and heavier flows fast into copper tube fittings, 0.03 in. and finer is for electronics and small repairs where a heavy bead would bridge two pads. Flux-core carries its own flux and suits electrical work; plumbing joints generally need a separate paste flux brushed on the cleaned tube.