Silver soldering small components

[Rikk]

Hi Murph
I have never used alcohol but will definitely try it. The reason I use water is I can mix a small batch of flux and as long as I put in a sealed container it lasts for months. Flux is not cheap and I never seem to be able to mix the actual amount I need so this works for me. I have not had the issue with the flux splatter? Do you place the heat directly on to the joint as this will cause a problem with the flux as the heat from torch can burn the flux off before the material is up to the correct temperature. This is more prevalent on larger assemblies and I apply the heat uniformly around the joint and on the largest material section and allow the heat to move toward the joint. But I am very interested in the alcohol especially on smaller assemblies.

I'm learning from this thread, so I am not even a novice. It seems that if you used alcohol, perhaps denatured alcohol that is refined more, you could still store the flux in a sealed (alcohol proof) container, and if some of the alcohol evaporates, you can just add more. The flux will still be there, but it will just be thicker.