Soldering to aluminum, have you tried? is it worth it?

Flashlight Modding and DIY Parts
1

I was seeing this video where this guy solders directly to aluminum using 15w-40 motor oil and got me wondering if this would be a good mod to lower the resistance by soldering directly from the spring right where it contacts the battery to the aluminum back plate of a flashlight.

I tried like the guy did but failed, the motor oil seems to get away from the hot iron tip exposing the aluminum to the air and preventing the solder to adhere to the aluminum.

Then saw this product to solder copper to aluminum here

Have you tried to succesfully solder to aluminum? Do you think its worth it?

2

Good information, did not know this was possible, thanks for sharing :slight_smile:

3

I have failed miserably, on numerous occasions, trying to solder anything to aluminum. Tried regular solder, aluminum solder, silver solder, and with multiple irons including a 60w iron and a small torch. I’d be very happy if someone could provide a reasonable way to do this !!

4

Tig? hehe

I’ve soldered copper to stainless steel before. It’s all in the flux. It’s called ruby flux

5

Interesting to see it can be done. I might try castor oil. That is used for model airplane engines that might overheat. It is such a mixture that not all of it evaporates, even at higher temperatures than other oils can be useful. It is still available in drug stores, as a laxative, last I looked.

6

once i tried to solder a dynamo ampere with copper braid to make it better contact it end up failure since my solder isn’t hot enough :frowning: