As usual you guys are right on target. The miserable scarf joint I had was the biggest problem. I hand ground a new one about
1/4"(a sloppy job) and (using the same Oatey solder) soldered up a real blob, but it held. Next I built a jig to hold both ends at the same time, and after fiddling with adjusting it, I got some real nice matching 5/16" scarfs. Pounding the solder wire to a thin sheet, careful application of the flux to just the scarf faces and the propane torch got me a reasonably nice looking splice. It held my weight without failing and bent at a 1/2" radius with no failure. The cross section area of the blade is .025 x .125 and I weigh 180 lbs so I calculate that's 57,600 PSI tension - well over the 15,000 PSI in actual use.The blade is too short to go back on the saw but it gives me plenty of material to practice my technique on. They always seem break at the factory weld so I don't think I need to worry about a tired blade as someone pointed out. I'll keep the 50% Ag stuff in mind should I have problems with the wider blades. Thanks to all who responded. Art