How to Solder Episode 1: Soft Solder- band instrument repair- Ferree’s tools- Wes Lee Music Repair

Episode 1 o2 discussing and showing demonstrations of soft soldering. How to’s, tips, tricks.
REMEMBER:
1. Clean
2. Fit
3. Control the heat
And only one of those happens at the solder bench.
Tools used:
Torches
L63 pencil torch
L56 micro torch
L56E stingray torch
L57 butane
L61 smith little torch
Scrapers
F13, 14, 15 curved scrapers
E40 triangle scraper
H41-44 wire brush
F47 pliers
E45 solder clips
Solder
F45 60/40 solder
J61 low temp silver solder
F46 flux
www.ferreestoolsinc.com
How can Wes Lee Music Repair help your instruments?
www.WesLeeMusic.com

[@alphabeets]

Where were you 45 years ago when I began burning the crap out of every solder job I did on brass horns. Fantastic series of videos, brother!

[@wadehampton1534]

Wes, I'm an electronics technician, and we use the same technique for soldering electronic components that you used here. Always heat the wire leads of the component and allow the unheated solder (rosin core Flux) to flow into the heated connection. Otherwise you can get a "cold solder joint", which is crystallized in appearance, rather than shiny. Your technique is perfect, and your solder joints will be very strong. I appreciate you showing people how to solder, Wes, it's very easy for the untrained individual to do it wrong by heating the solder and dripping it onto the joint. A cold solder joint is very brittle, and will crack and come undone very quickly, so they are to be avoided at all costs. In electronics, a cold solder joint can cause all sorts of problems, ranging from no continuity to intermittent continuity. You can chase your own tail looking for a cold solder joint, unless you have a good visual of the crystallized solder.

[@lotsabirds]

Great tutorial! Best part was ... heat the metal, get the flux working, then let the heat take the solder. There is such a tendency to heat the solder and that just makes a mess. I've done a fair amount of soldering and I'm still intimidated by it! You make it look so easy! Thanks!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks for watching!

[@williammielenz3752]

I have great success using a plumbers torch on extremely small detailed work that way!

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Good morning, could you tell me if that flux is made with which acid, and how to prepare it?

[@YaroShien]

Wes Lee is such a wram man. Thank you for teaching us some tips in the trade~

[@misaklara56]

Excellent video! I especially liked your "heat and wipe" instruction for cleaning up solder. This will be very helpful the next time that I have to do some soldering!

[@erniearruda8861]

Another tip is use 100 percent cotton rags like old bed sheets or flannel sheets.. if you use a mix of polyester, nylon or micro fibre cloths it will melt to the heat and it will put a trace of plastic in bedded into the lacquer or silver and makes it even worse to remove.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Very true! Thanks for adding that.

[@1090yoyo]

ooh yeah. Stay away from any "stretch" jeans/t-shirts which contain 2-3% elasthane, the cleanup of the burnt elasthane is a hell.

[@derycktaylor3677]

Another excellent video. Thanks Wes.

[@brianpite0893]

Thank you Wes, what a great lesson!

[@jmlfa]

Best video - by far - I have ever watched about real world soldering ! Tks a bunch.

[@joe-la-guit]

I love this. Good job Wes !

[@EspressoBear59]

Hi Wes, thank you for this vid on soldering tips. I have been practicing on a 110 yr old conn silver trumpet. With mixed results. After this vid will go back and clean things up. Look forward to seeing you do some valve re-plating. Then will try it on this horn. The last step to returning it to playing condition.

[@kristimiller-lee2338]

Sorry, but our shop does not do valve replating.

[@pushyred]

I just bought the Smith little torch but I haven't had a chance to use it yet. I'm excited now! Today! Replacing a lead pipe on a Calicchio Trumpet.

[@javierquesada798]

very good i see it all the time

[@israelsa899]

Excelente video!

[@KRS3469]

Awesome video! Thank you for the great tutorial!

[@kevin.m213]

Thank you for your awesome videos. Worked in instrument repair for a while and decided to pick it back up....and your videos help me relearn everything I've forgotten and your work is beautiful. Keep up the great work!

[@enildemday5294]

thanks for this excellent video.

[@lembriggs1075]

Very nice video! Thank you so much!!!

[@RFullemanAuthor]

EXCELLENT 👍👍 thank you for making this video. I think it might’ve been one of the most excellent tutorials I’ve seen.

[@artswri]

Great tutorial. The techniques apply to almost any kind of soldering or brazing, so take note and you can use for whatever you do. Great to watch an expert and his precision! Thanks!

[@ajn465]

Much like a magic trick, these methods are simple enough on their face. The challenge is in training your hands to execute them properly.

[@knutmotzki2387]

Thanks!

[@royjanetbartz5052]

Great video…..so much can be learned when you watch a master. Lots of hints and tricks to do a pro job. Also the camera work and video quality is excellent! Thanks for your time and effort. 👍

[@GamerDad1987]

This is a great video! I've been wanting to learn how to do this. I've got an old Bundy trumpet that has a separated solder joint (was the trumpet I learned to play on). This is making me think I should go and try to resolder the brace back on.

[@javierquesada798]

very good video health and greetings

[@jasongreek2342]

I picked up a cheap baritone recently. Got home, realized it had broken solder joints on the neck pipe and braces. I figured “I’ve been a plumber for 16 years, surely I can save myself the two hours of driving to get it fixed under warranty, let’s give this a shot.” I only have a touch big enough to braze 1-1/4” type L tube... it ain’t pretty, but I pulled it off without too much trouble and I’d say it’s as good as they would have done at long & mcquade

[@chrisliddiard725]

"two hairs past a freckle" that voice ought to be on tv or in the movies. :-) about that there solder gun, that was tidy shooting partner..

[@carolboyd9171]

Wes, Bill said he disagrees with your 3 points (clean, fit and control the heat). Bill said 95% project is in the cleaning. If it’s not super clean the solder will not hold. So, Bill is saying 1 - clean, 2- cleaner, 3- cleanest, 4- fit and 5- control the heat, but most IMPORTANT is make sure the area is super clean.

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Good morning, could you tell me if that flux is made with which acid, and how to prepare it?

[@jairomerchan1710]

Feliz día 🎷⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️

[@TJHPlate]

Hello Wes Lee. Thank you for your clear lesson. Many years ago youngsters learned that in The Netherlands in the former "technical basic school". Nowadays everyone "must go" to the university and only a few people like you know the techniques. Glad that I found your channel.

[@mmichelson90]

You can also use quick drying whiteout to paint a barrier to prevent solder runout on plated and unlacquered brass. Once the job is done just use any kind of solvent to remove the whiteout.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Yep

[@1090yoyo]

I confirm, this trick have saved me a lot of cleanup, particularly on silver plated instrument when I had no low-temp silver solder.

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Good morning, I'm from Brazil, could you give me more information about this product?

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

could you teach me how to do this quick drying bleach?

[@maynorquiroa1463]

Great video, i question is where can i find clamps like such? I can never seem to find them

[@benpinder7053]

Hi Wes lee I'm new to brass instruments and I'm learning to play alto sax , I was wondering if I could request an indepth maintenance guide from a pro for alto sax but I also think it would be nice to see one for most woodwind and brass instruments Thanks Ben

[@gianlucaderosa2947]

Grazie Maestro 💪 questi video sono molto preziosi per me,in Italia è quasi impossibile che qualcuno ti insegni qualcosa sulla riparazione degli strumenti a fiato,io faccio il parrucchiere da tantissimi anni ma spero un giorno di poter fare il suo lavoro o almeno riuscire a fare qualche riparazione, grazie di tutto

[@TheEmperialist]

"Heat, wipe" is the new "wax on, wax off".

[@michaelbenge8581]

What type of polishing compound do you use? Do you use the same compound of silver finish?

[@user-bg9vw4wc1n]

Hello teacher the video is very good..what kind of flux should l choose...thanks

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Boa tarde amigo, sou do Brasil eu gostaria de saber mais sobre o fluxo de solda que ele usa, você conseguiu alguma resposta? Good afternoon friend, I'm from Brazil I would like to know more about the solder flux he uses, did you get any answers?

[@omiematic8196]

Hi mate.. Thank you for sharing your Tips and Tricks mate. 👍 Can you share the proper mixture of Water & baking soda! Thank you.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Depending on spray bottle size, I use 2-3 teaspoons

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Good morning, could you tell me if that flux is made with which acid, and how to prepare it?

[@kevinpulver4027]

Very good stuff Wes! As a child I tried to solder together a tin can submarine from plans in an old Popular Mechanics mag. It was like Humpty Dumpty, with my dad, myself, my neighbor, and everybody failing. I thought soldering was a black art lost in the Middle Ages! But in high school I worked in a radiator shop where we would clean tan and solder the old brass radiators. Later I did a lot of copper plumbing and boiler piping. The process seemed miraculous- but as you said; it's all about cleanliness, fitment, and heat control. One point of clarification for beginners: Wouldn't you say if you have just wiped the part down to the tinning, that it's already as clean as it needs to be?

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Good morning, could you tell me if that flux is made with which acid, and how to prepare it?

[@kevinpulver4027]

@@Tuca-Luthier. There is liquid flux and paste flux and paste tinning flux and acid that helps when the flux just won't cut it you can find this stuff probably at a radiator supply shop by googling. I'm sorry I can't be more help. And you really need a tinning brush that's heat resistant to go with it

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

@@kevinpulver4027 Good morning, thanks for the answer, here in Brazil you don't find liquid flux, the ones that have it are flammable, I did a Google search and saw that hydrochloric acid (muriatic) with zinc makes an excellent liquid flux, having to neutralize it afterwards , do you know anything about it?

[@kevinpulver4027]

@@Tuca-Luthier. Marietta gassett is usually available at hardware stores brick masons use it to clean the cement mortar off of their finished walls. I think you should be able to find electronics specialty places that have liquid flocks too.. Tenning flux is that acid with powdered solder in it and you scrub the heated surface With your tanning brush and the powdered sodder will coat the surface bright w solder. I'm sure in Brazil you still have the old radiator shops fixing things that could help you.

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

@@kevinpulver4027 Thank you very much for your help, I will do more research on this, I really want to learn this profession... but I still have a lot to learn

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Bom dia, sou do Brasil esse fluxo de solda liquido poderia me dar mais informação? Good morning, I'm from Brazil, could this liquid solder flux give me more information?

[@endurocatfish]

What about rosin flux and paste? 60/40 ratio, have one brace on a French horn project to solder

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Boa tarde amigo, sou do Brasil eu gostaria de saber mais sobre o fluxo de solda que ele usa, você conseguiu alguma resposta? Good afternoon friend, I'm from Brazil I would like to know more about the solder flux he uses, did you get any answers?

[@mactech44]

Did you mix the existing lead solder with low temp silver solder on the silver instrument joints?

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

No, I did just as I showed in first example. Removed all old solder down to tinning, fit the repaired part back in. Control the heat to keep the other side of the joint from melting. Only difference was the choice of solder.

[@1090yoyo]

Thanks so much for this super explicative video ! I'm looking to improve my soldering setup (my oxy-propane torch lacks precision, I have no tip small enough for small work). Smith torch seems absolutely great, and about 20 euros... but since I'm in Europe I suppose the gas fittings will not match my bottles :/ Can you please check and tell me the threading of the torch ? So I can see if I can find adaptators

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Quick search reveals this: POL is the common name for the standard CGA 510 (US Compressed Gas Association connection number). The Thread specification is . 885" - 14 NGO - LH - INT, meaning 0.885 in (22.5 mm) diameter thread, 14 threads per inch (1.814 mm pitch), National Gas Outlet form, left-hand internal thread. O2 is same but RH thread. I would check with vendors in your area.

[@1090yoyo]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 thank you very much !

[@lupedro69]

hello mr west first off great video i learned alot so far, i do have a question, what is your smith torch attached to everytime i see you work wiith your torch i always hear something turn on almost like a light generator sound. thanks in ad vance!!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

It’s an oxygen concentrator, which is a converted ventilator

[@lupedro69]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 maybe a a short video showing your rig and how you have it setup in the future thanks for everything.

[@javierquesada798]

teacher I imagine that cold solders do not work there are good products, very good today

[@Vladimir_Mikhno]

please tell me is the soldering hazardous to health? is there a release of heavy metals into the air?

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

You should always solder in a well ventilated area and not breathe the fumes. The solders used in band instrument repair are not as bad as the rosin core solders I have used for electronics.

[@DEER_HUNTER48429]

Q? Can You Show How you Used (Hooked Up)the Oxygen Unit you have for your Mini Torch, Under Your Work Bench??????

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

I attempted to reattach a brace of a bell on a barry sax years ago. If I would have had seen this video, I would have been successful. This was long before the internet an KZbin! I was afraid of damaging the finish! I didn't have flux. Acid core solder. My flame was too big. And I didn't clean...

[@jackhans4510]

Great vid. What is your ratio of baking soda with water, Wes?

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

2-3 teaspoons depending on size of spray bottle

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Good morning, could you tell me if that flux is made with which acid, and how to prepare it?

[@juliehale4770]

how do u neutralize flux under a bow guard

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Boa tarde, sou do Brasil eu gostaria de saber mais sobre o fluxo de solda que ele usa, você conseguiu alguma resposta? Good afternoon, I'm from Brazil I would like to know more about the solder flux he uses, did you get any answers?

[@davidwood351]

.

[@philiphoverman8458]

Excellent video! I especially liked your "heat and wipe" instruction for cleaning up solder. This will be very helpful the next time that I have to do some soldering!

[@Tuca-Luthier.]

Bom dia, sou do Brasil esse fluxo de solda liquido poderia me dar mais informação? Good morning, I'm from Brazil, could this liquid solder flux give me more information?