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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Re: Silver plated copper wire

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4/27/2000 9:15 PM
R.G.	Re: Silver plated copper wire Yep - hey, at least I got close. Not bad for an old duffer. I've only messed with eutectic a few times. Amazing to watch the solidification.

4/28/2000 1:40 AM

Thanks for the lengthy reply.

When I responded, I was mainly thinking of guitar, and guitar equipment applications. In this regard, one sees a plethora of bad soldering techniques

I alluded to the common problem of folks moving the solder area, accidentally or otherwise, before the solder completely cools, and resolidifies.

The easy flow solder is easy enough to overheat past the point needed. This stuff obviously takes a bit of time to return to solid form. If folks move the area while it is cooling, oftentimes one sees weak 'crumbly' solder joints. Simply a common occurance I see pretty often with individual hand soldered work. I agree that the substructure(s) impacts the way and manner that the solder would cool down.

The easy flow solder actually 'leaches' into the surface of the metals.....ever have something that's been lead soldered, and broke off? Ever try to re-flatten the surface of the busted solder are, so you could repair something? As one tries to file away the old lead solder, one discovers it actually leached down into the suface of the metal object.

Same goes for lightweight copper wires which due to their size heat up very rapidly, and it is easy to watch solder 'run' down the length of a gang of fine stranded wires. I feel this is more accurate(mho) with what happens with a plated surface(s). The easy flow flat out penetrates.

With reagrds to Lead as a conductor, I should have been more accurate in pointing to the usage in Audio results. Side by side by side, Lead is a poor choice for best sonic results, in a metal, head-to head usage.

How well any plating adheres to the base metal, is important too. All plating processes are not equal forsure, with varying techniques/methods used to do the job. It is common to see plating 'flake' off various items when I think about it. Could have nothing to do with heat torture, or aggressive impact of other liquid metals. So I can see your point there as well, but maybe for different possible reasons based on many years of hands-on experiences.

Very nice post on your part. Thanks for the feedback...

Mark L.

5/2/2000 6:39 PM
Brian	Alright; Now I feel dumb. I had seen a webpage mentioned on ampage that sold surplus electronics stuff. Anywho it had surplus silver coated Teflon wire which was about 7$ for a 22ga 100 foot spool, so I wanted to give it a go. BUT- I didn't write down the web adress, and I can't find it again. Anybody know of a good surplus dealer that sells this stuff? BT

5/2/2000 10:20 PM
Daver	Brian, I believe it was www.apexjr.com for the teflon wire. Daver

5/12/2000 8:38 PM
Brian	yup that sounds familiar thanks BT

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