Cable end solder?
- Thread starter Srjeeper
- Start date
i don,t know about what solder to use , but if yo go to any bicycle shop you can get a cable crimp for like 10 cents
yeah, i've always used whatever solder i had laying around, and it always worked.
i've used other things too, super glue, heat shrink, spoke nipples...
i've used other things too, super glue, heat shrink, spoke nipples...
If you're certain your cable is stainless steel you will not get any solder to stick to it. Solder being essentially lead based will not take to stainless. There are materials out there but you'll need high heat and knowhow to get it to work. Go for the crimp-on method or replace the cable with steel, not stainless.
Tom
Tom
Hmm, I just had a similar concern with my new cables - yet I didn't want to solder them as I may need to get them back out of the housing again so I just used some heat-shrink wire insulator on the ends 
Those crimp-on cable ends suck tbh as the crimp itself makes the cable end "fan"
Those crimp-on cable ends suck tbh as the crimp itself makes the cable end "fan"
The cable is for the clutch, so a crimp on end can't be used, as it won't pass thru the clutch arm. I'm using a small butaine torch to heat the cable red, but neither types of solder would melt in, they just rolled off.
I like the shrink tube idea for now, thanks all.....
I like the shrink tube idea for now, thanks all.....
For making up new extra long throttle cables for my step through Americans I use silver soler with the appropriate flux. Works fine for me. I can then use a dremel tool to shape the end to the way I want it.
Silverbear
Silverbear
Yes, actually it does match perfectly so long as your bike is silver colored.Yes, but does it match the paint job like my shrink-wrap?
Silverbear
For being BarelyAwake, you've got a good sense of humor first thing in the morning! A laugh is a good way to start the day... thanks.
*considers painting bike to match solder*
Silverbear
Oh - it's easy to have a sense of humor in the AM online, I assure you I am less funny should you choose to stand between me and the coffee maker IRL o.o
see ya'll around - I'm off to work meh
see ya'll around - I'm off to work meh
There ya go, you're getting the cable too hot. Heat a little, touch the solder to the cable, repeat until the solder melts in.
Kevlarr is correct. The base metal, the part you're trying to apply solder to needs to be at about the same temperature as the melting point of the solder you're using. Too hot it will roll off, too cold it will not stick. I'll repeat, if your cable is stainless steel ordinary lead based solder will not stick to it no matter the temperature. Let me clairify a little here so I don't get arguments. There are many different grades of stainless steel. I don't have any idea what they use for bicycle cables but any stainless is either impossible or difficult to solder depending on the alloy. Yes, you can get a ball of lead solder to hang onto a stainless cable but there will be little to no adhesion. There is virtually no strength in the solder joint. If all you want is to keep the end of the strand tight you can solder or crimp on a short length of 3/32" brass tubing
As for passing the cable through the clutch arm; you can slightly spread the slot at the end so passing the end of the cable through that little hole is not necessary. If your cable tension is correct it will not come out even with the slot opened up a little. It makes putting the cable in and out very easy and eliminates the need to solder the end of the cable to keep it from fraying. I do solder mine but none of my cables are stainless.
Tom
lol and on that note another reply..always sand where you solder...oil from your hands alone will cause it not to stick
Bairdco,i can't believe there's two pages (so far) dedicated to soldering the end of a clutch cable...
What might come natural to you and me can be a mystery to a newcomer who has never soldered in his life. Soft as well as silver soldering is an acquired skill and learning those skills is what makes this hobby fun for a lot of guys. Be honest now, wouldn't you rather see some indepth technical answers than 35 pages of guys bragging about how fast they can go with a Chinese 2 stroker?
Tom
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