what kind of silver braze do you guys use? (starting to obsess)

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hey now.i always just used 45. not because i was told to. i was on a job site and guys were brazing by a giant safe and i asked them what kind of filler to use for what i was doing at the time. they said "kid, theres so many different kinds. just go into the store and ask for 45 silver brazing wire, its made by harris"so thats all i ever did.now im looking at harris's website and im looking at all the different number models and its like what the hell...is silver brazing really "mission" specific? does it really matter if i use 45 on something with a little bit of a wide joint as opposed to 38 (i think thats the wide filler braze, i could be wrong though).then i see "lower melting temp" and its only 50-100 degrees lower in temp. does that make a big difference.btw- use is on general steel (the kind you get at hardware stores or metaldepot.com)edit: i also wanna add that harris said that using their "STAY-BRITE" silver solder, id get a "cleaner" more strong connection then using higher brazing heats...its that only for copper? or does that apply to steel as well?Last edited by outlawskinnyd; 04-17-2011 at 02:45 PM.the grand ol' opry aint so grand anymoremiller maxstar 150sworking on an oxy/acet set up
Reply:Realistically, if you're not doing code work,it doesn't really matter which alloy you use. Just use what works best for you. If it is code work, then use what is specified in the welding/brazing procedure.
Reply:I run a business building custom bicycle frames. Yes, the various grades serve different purposes. I use 56% rod to flow lugged joints, while I use a 48% rod for small fittings that are brazed onto the tubes, such as cable guides, water bottle bosses, and small bridges. 50N comes in handy on stainless parts. The nickel seems to help the rod wet out on the stainless. The various melting temperatures aren't as critical as the fluid properties of the alloy in its liquidous stage. All of the various rods I use are fine using white silver brazing flux. You do end up on the upper end of the usable temp range of the flux when brazing stainless, but it's fine if you have control and don't burn it up.You can see some photos on my blog if you want.http://bikesbyzank.blogspot.com/