Can I solder to tin boxes?

[Commie]

Well, I learned that solder doesn't stick to aliminum flashlights This time I decided to ask before I try it -- can I solder to tin cans? More specifically, Altoids tin?

Thank you!

 

[perlionsmitnick]

I can't see why not. There is one way to find out.

 

[Osmosis]

Tins Ok don't try Alumimium or SS

Os

 

[Commie]

sweet, thank you! Trying to cram a lot into an altoids tin, so using body for the ground will help a lot. An 18650, fully recessed vivi nova, a spare vivi nova (or a 5ml bottle), 2 switches, wall reinforcement...

 

[PoppaVic60]

Don't forget the truck-bed spray liner! ;-)

(I still want to find a can, just for fun! ;-)

 

[PoppaVic60]

Hmm..

Come to think of it, I bet you could use a real tin-can.. Soup or whatever.. A bit of squishing would give you some nice compound curves..

Hey! You could also dip the altoids can in a nice, black "tool dip" for a nifty surface ;-)

 

[Commie]

Hmm, truck bed lining on the outside is an interesting idea. I'll have to dig around for that.

My thought was reinforcing it with plastic from the inside. It will also help me keep components that are not permanently attached (like battery and spare Vivi Nova) from rattling and rolling around.

 

[fray]

I have done it with no problems. When soldering in my altoids tin the solder stuck a lot better when I lightly sanded the area to be soldered.

 

[AzIrish]

Also I recommend a little bit of JB Weld Kwik Steel. This will lock the conection and the wire down and will never move. I wanted to try to salvage a conection off of one of my old mods, I couldn't pry it of even took a drill to it. It's still stuck to that tin... Safe to, plummer's use it on water pipes..