test boil not going well

[cjf12]

Fitting for thermometer leaked real bad. Took it off but now i can't get it to get solder to stick. Cleaned with wire wheel on grinder and flux. Pan got 3 types of sandpaper and flux. Can get it to stick to ss but not the brass. Do they make a solderless one? Or how do i get this stupid thing to hold water? Beyond frustrated.

[maple flats]

Soldering SS well takes the right flux and lots of practice. If you get some Muggy Weld SSF 6 flux www.muggyweld.com/product/ssf-6-replacement-flux/ and use silver bearing solder. Follow that link for instructions on how to use it. Regular lead free solder will not work for SS. Also, to clean, use a SS brush. Do the soldering in a very well ventilated area, do not breathe the fumes.

[cjf12]

Trouble is with brass fitting. I can get the solder to stick to the stainless but not the brass.

[maple flats]

The SSF 6 I believe will also bond with brass, read what it says on the link.

[wiam]

https://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xstainl essbulkhead+fitting.TRS0&_nkw=stainless+bulkhead+fitting

I added one of these to my back pan for a sight glass. Works well. No leaks.

[cjf12]

https://m.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xstainl essbulkhead+fitting.TRS0&_nkw=stainless+bulkhead+fitting

I added one of these to my back pan for a sight glass. Works well. No leaks.

What size hole did you drill for that? My hole for the thermometer is 5\8 but close to the corner of the pan. Depending on the fitting it may not squeeze in.

[wiam]

I think it was 3/4”. I used a step bit. Worked pretty well. I have used a hole saw but not as true circle.

[Russell Lampron]

Thanks for posting that link Wiam. You can also get those fittings on amazon.

[wiam]

To be honest I was skeptical drilling a hole in my new pan. But it worked fine.

[maple flats]

I've put several holes in my pans over the years, but I always do it using a "Greenlee Punch". Like these https://www.amazon.com/Central-91201-Manual-Knockout-Punch/dp/B0012F8GCQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514210011&sr=8-2&keywords=greenlee+punch While that is not where I bought them. I have bought ones over the years to make a 7/8" hole, a 1 1/8" hole and a 1.75" hole. They make a perfect hole every time. To use them, each tells you what size pilot hole to drill for the thru bolt (that hole may not be perfect, but the buggered up portion gets removed in the next steps. Then you assemble the punch, the die side on the back and the rest goes on the front. Then you can use a ratchet wrench, but I use a 1/4" drive impact driver with a socket on to turn the thru bolt, This pulls the die thru the SS or any sheet metal to make a perfect hole. The pilot holes are best made using Cobalt drill bits, but for 1 time use or maybe 2 a high speed drill will work, but it will be junk when done or will in very bad need of sharpening. A Cobalt bit will drill a bunch of holes in SS.