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Vaseline as flux

PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:30 am
by northy84
Hey legends. I'm doing some soldering but my local Big Green Shed doesn't have any flux other than brazing flux
(YAY DARWIN).

I read that Vaseline/ Petroleum Jelly is a good substitute for flux, but I don't know if that applies to open flame, lead-free soldering. (https://www.candorind.com/what-is-solde ... ne-as-flux) Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Or should I just buy the brazing flux? (It does say "low-temp".)

Re: Vaseline as flux

PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 10:35 am
by hgwells
In stock at total tools in Darwin open til 4pm today

https://www.totaltools.com.au/36220-cig ... ass-321822

Re: Vaseline as flux

PostPosted: Sat Oct 15, 2022 8:25 pm
by RC Al
No experience with vaso here, but flux is meant to clean surfaces, adding grease seems wrong.

Google seems to think otherwise... i think some vinegar or citric immediately beforehand would do the trick without adding an extra contaminant.

Low temp should be fine, but check the data sheet vs your solders melt point.

If your doing copper to ss I wouldn't make the job harder with shortcuts.

Re: Vaseline as flux

PostPosted: Sun Oct 16, 2022 2:37 am
by northy84
It's very confusing, what with silver soldering and electronic soldering. Maybe it's an electronic solder flux.
It prevents oxidation, and it washes away with warm water, but it's highly flammable. I tried some in a teaspoon with a pencil torch and managed to light the fumes... wow. :scared-eek:

Re: Vaseline as flux

PostPosted: Tue Oct 18, 2022 10:17 pm
by northy84
Well, I tried it. A bit of vinegar and a bit of vaseline worked a trear. I haven't tested the joins yet, but so far, so good.

Re: Vaseline as flux

PostPosted: Sun Oct 30, 2022 2:02 pm
by atec77
northy84 wrote:Well, I tried it. A bit of vinegar and a bit of vaseline worked a trear. I haven't tested the joins yet, but so far, so good.



Interesting , never tried it but will