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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!saf
From: saf@clyde.UUCP (Steve Falco)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: ultimate speaker cable
Message-ID: <842@clyde.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 26-Apr-85 09:07:04 EST
Article-I.D.: clyde.842
Posted: Fri Apr 26 09:07:04 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 27-Apr-85 04:47:12 EST
References: <70@harvard.ARPA> <474@umd5.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Whippany NJ
Lines: 17

> I know you can't solder the wires to aluminum, and I don't think welding
> wires to aluminum foil is very practical -- I think a better idea would be
> to use copper flashing or copper braid for much the same reasons as above,
> only then you can get a reliable connection to your wires by soldering them.

As it turns out, you can actually solder to aluminum foil with
conventional solder but it is not easy - you have to scrape through the
oxide with a well tinned tip.  (Don't bother disagreeing - I've done
it.)  There are also "special" solders made for aluminum.  They are
typically 100% tin with a special flux. 

I have used aluminum flashing in the past for making shields because
aluminum is cheaper and easier to find than copper.  I don't recommend
cooking quality aluminum foil because it rips too easily - but it will
take solder!

	Steve Falco  AT&T Bell Laboratories