Repairing Zinc Came

by Ozzie Berke
(Half MoonBay, CA)

In the "olden" days, they used a zinc came much different than today. Who has found the secret to unsoldering, cleaning and re-soldering this material? My solder seems to want to "bead" on top, even after scraping, cleaning and steel wool. I am using my normal "Glastar" flux for foil, Haako iron full heat setting.

Milly's reply: Hi Ozzie, thanks for your question. I have to confess my ignorance here... we don't use zinc came so much in the UK, and I don't know the answer, sorry.
I've tried looking on the web and have found someone who uses a dremel drill to ease the zinc came apart. Could this technique be of use to you? Sorry I can't be of more help - perhaps someone out there knows the answer? If so, help!

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Repairing Zinc Came

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working with zinc came
by: Anonymous

I have worked on many zinc came windows over the years, i have found a flat blade exacto knife and a small hammer work well, lay the blade against the lead solder and lightly tap on both angles, both sides the joint will break cleanly most of the time.To re solder the connections have to be very clean -use a dremel or some other grinding tool. I protect the glass with a thin steel blade in case of slips with grinder, zinc requires more heat than solder.

Milly says:
Thanks for these helpful tips - we don't use zinc came so much in the UK, so I'm always happy to hear from people who have experience with it.

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