Silver solder Vs tig welding for boilers.

Silver solder Vs tig welding for boilers.

This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 April 2026 at 23:40 by noel shelley.

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9 April 2026 at 22:36 #843948
Thomas Clarke
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@thomasclarke78224
I might have to have a new boiler for my 5in gauge Stirling Single and would like to know what the consensus is on silver soldering verses tig welding. One manufacture told me that a tig welded boiler would last longer and would be easier to fix if there was a leakage. I assume a well built silver soldered boiler would outlive me at 67 so longevity really isn’t an issue. The two main boiler makers that are in contention are Western Steam Ltd and Southern Boilers, not cheap but recommended. I look forward to any replies.

Thomas
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9 April 2026 at 23:31 #843962
Nigel Graham 2
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@nigelgraham2
Since you are having it made professionally I rather think price will be the main guide!

There are any number of silver-soldered boilers about, a lot of them decades old, so I’d not worry about which is “better”. Yes, the welded one may be easier to repair if it leaks, but why should there be a leak?
9 April 2026 at 23:40 #843965
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
I would go for the silver soldered UNLESS there is a very large price difference. The process has been about along time, I have a boiler that is 50 years old and going well. The idea that a TIG welded boiler is easier to repair is interesting. Before you go down the TIG weld route I would check with your boiler inspector. Noel.
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