leader lead solder

[metalhead62]

hey guys leader used lead solder until when 91/92 ? found a decent price on a 2x8 but the flue pan was made in 89 if i have to replace flue pan the price isnt that great and it is really a little bigger than i need but the price is decent and you can always expand right

[Sunday Rock Maple]

From what I understand a 89 will be lead soldered, as will the pipes in your house if it was built then. This shouldn't be an issue if you don't sell bulk.

[saphead]

Overheard Bruce B. mention that Grimm swapped over in '91 and Leader in '94.

[maple flats]

In 89 it would be low lead solder likely not 50/50 like back in the 60's. Maybe 90/10 or 95/5. Leader might be able to tell you.

[Brian]

I believe Leader switched to non lead solder in 92. I had a set of 1993 Leader 30x8 pans that said lead free on them.

[metalhead62]

ok so i wouldnt be able to sell wholesale then? 2x8 will make to much syrup and i will find the taps somewhere not to sell some that way

[Johnjenner]

Just to add my 2 cents. I talked to Leader today about when they quite using lead solder. Officially it was 1990 but they have determined that certain workers were still using lead up to 1994. I am looking at a evaporator made in 1994 and they recommended and I just ordered a lead test kit

[DrTimPerkins]

It may have partially depended on whether it was original construction or repair as well. I can tell you with some certainty that once Leader management found that some workers had stashes of lead solder around, there was some ***-whooping that occurred, and there was a real serious search and purge of lead solder from the entire operation.

In any case, for those transition years, or anytime you just aren't sure, a lead-solder test kit is cheap, reliable, and readily available at most hardware stores.

[markcasper]

Do you know why stainless welding took so long to establish itself? I mean wasn't that technology around for the last 100 years? When the bulk dairy tanks got going in the 50's, stainless welding was certainly well established, just wondering why it took 50 more years to reach the maple evaporator pans?

[Haynes Forest Products]

I think it was just easier to use solder and the dangers weren't known. Plus welding 20-22 gauge was a lot harder than what was being used in dairy tanks.

[DrTimPerkins]

Do you know why stainless welding took so long to establish itself?

Soldering tolerances are huge -- if it's within a 1/2", no problem...and segments are often bent to angles and soldered together, so there's a good bit of leeway in the system. Welding tolerances are more like 1/16" and alignment is critical in thin metal. Very little hand-cutting any longer either -- most SS cutting for evaporators, tanks, hoods, etc. is done by laser. It takes a lot more training and a lot more experience (and a lot LESS coffee) to be a good welder.

[Haynes Forest Products]

From what I have seen is that unless the two edges are touching its not close enough. I my understanding is they don.t use rod to fill in the weld its all blending what is there. Now I'm not saying all people do it that way. You can tell the difference in the weld if filler rod is used. Plus if the welder is breathing steady or held their breath.

[Johnjenner]

Just tested pans made in 1994 and they tested positive for lead