Getting started in this isn't a huge investment, ironically the cost of the lead is a large part of it...
Glen
My problem is that I am cheap and I never invested in proper equipment. A gas welding outfit would have delivered a better flame than the propane torch I had. (That said... I now have a propane torch that delivers a broader, less focused flame that might work well). I also was too cheap to invest in the tinning butter, paddles and beeswax. Tinning was limited to small areas where I could work with acid flux and stainless scratch wire brushes. Therefore I only worked on very small areas and small hole patching.
Regardless, I have used lead on small areas and chose it as the filler on areas that might be subject to flexing. I did buy the Eastwood solder YEARS ago for some of my work and it was much better than any plumbing solder. I have also used it in a few cases to patch pinhole leaks in fuel tanks.
Doug L.
Good advice Doug, I haven't looked at Eastwoods catalog recently but I suspect that they do have a good inventory and good products.
This process is literally no more than basic soldering, if you can sweat a good joint, you can likely spread a lead fill.
Cleanliness.
Thorough tinning.
Proper heat control.
Spreads like butter, literally.
With a good vixen file it cuts down easily.
It grinds & sands well with a sanding disc, with the associated health risks, a good particle mask at a minimum...
Glen
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