Lead to Zinc

Works just fine as long as the materials aren't oxidized from laying around, then it's a bitch.

I usually use a wheel on my Dremel tool to rough up the zinc and/or lead. Soldering is easy, then.

I buy 3M wheels from J&L Supply which is 1" in dia and 1/8" thick with a small hole that fits on a standard Dremel mandrel. I use the wheel to clean out putty from old came while doing repairs, removing the oxides, etc. Dremel sells something similar, but they are much more costly than the 3M wheels. I go through a lot of wheels a week, sometimes 2 or 3 a day. But I've never found anything that works as well for the purpose.

also have the wheels in medium and fine abrasives. I wasn't able tofind the wheels locally in Atlanta, even Graingers or McMaster-Carr doesn'tcarry them. I order them online and they usually are here in two or threedays. J&L is easy to deal with.

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like cleaning and pre-tinning is the order of the day.

I really don't want to do this panel. I will have to move my small kilns and junk off the wooden work bench. :-( I also have to make up a design. She wants a bevel cluster or flowers yech!!! (There's a thermal storm door in front of this door). I just wanted to put some clear patterned arch. glass but she said "How are you going to put the color on it?" Sigh............Since I'm doing it for free I don't want spend too much time or money on it. Time to look through my non-fusing glass.

Thanks again,