Brazing sticks % of sliver

[marybear]

Learned using 0% and never had any issue with copper to copper. Only use 15% for things like RV's & TXV's due to its cost.

[corny]

What about that stuff that comes on a roll.... looks like solder...... Has it also gone up in price ???

[Rickochet]

Harris 15% for most. Harris Stay Brite for dissimilar metals. Between those 2, there's not much that you can't join together reliably.

[ga-hvac-tech]

Doing residential work... most of what I see is CO to CO.

Dynaflow seems to work well... reasonable flow and good gap filling. Temp control is a little more critical (needs to be a little hotter, yet not hot enough to do damage to other things). CLEAN joints are more important with Dynaflow... as it bonds better to clean (read that shiny) surfaces. As with lots of other things... preparation (of the joint) seems as important as the (actual brazing) process.

Anything heat sensitive (TXV, RV, etc), I use StayBrite solder. Even a TXV on a 410 system, if the mechanical fit is sung, I have not had any issues.

[GT Jets]

Higher the silver, easier it flows, less heat needed. Less heat the better.

Boss is buying 6% as it's cheaper.

Is it? Think about it like this (not telling your boss what to do) I can braze a joint in half the time using less gas and fewer leaks with 15% than I can with 6%, the chances of having a joint crack upon cool down are increased slightly too. Also, more heat outside the joint = more contamination inside meaning that unless you're using a nitrogen purge, you stand the risk of contamination.

I think if you really look at it, your boss is not saving a dime. Last time I checked, acetylene and labor is getting expensive too...

Doing residential work... most of what I see is CO to CO.

Dynaflow seems to work well... reasonable flow and good gap filling. Temp control is a little more critical (needs to be a little hotter, yet not hot enough to do damage to other things). CLEAN joints are more important with Dynaflow... as it bonds better to clean (read that shiny) surfaces. As with lots of other things... preparation (of the joint) seems as important as the (actual brazing) process.

Anything heat sensitive (TXV, RV, etc), I use StayBrite solder. Even a TXV on a 410 system, if the mechanical fit is sung, I have not had any issues.

This in an odd way proves my point, the prep work you speak of does not come free.... I am a firm believer in get it fit, get it brazed and move on. We don't use line sets, so the brazing process for us needs to be as bullet and idiot proof as possible.

X2 on the Stay Brite 8, great stuff IMHO, driers, sight glasses, txv's, reversing valves. I can't see how it would ever have an issue... Even with 410A.

GT

[catalina_mike]

When I did a bunch of it I always used the 15% for everything. Including dissimilar metals and used Harris Stay-Silv with great results. Only had to carry one product for everything.

[lytning]

Is it? Think about it like this (not telling your boss what to do) I can braze a joint in half the time using less gas and fewer leaks with 15% than I can with 6%, the chances of having a joint crack upon cool down are increased slightly too. Also, more heat outside the joint = more contamination inside meaning that unless you're using a nitrogen purge, you stand the risk of contamination.

I think if you really look at it, your boss is not saving a dime. Last time I checked, acetylene and labor is getting expensive too...



This in an odd way proves my point, the prep work you speak of does not come free.... I am a firm believer in get it fit, get it brazed and move on. We don't use line sets, so the brazing process for us needs to be as bullet and idiot proof as possible.

X2 on the Stay Brite 8, great stuff IMHO, driers, sight glasses, txv's, reversing valves. I can't see how it would ever have an issue... Even with 410A.

GT

I like stay bright 8 for 410. Don't have to worry so much about draging out the nitrogen. Never had a problem. Still use a lot of 15% silver on commercial refrigeration.