[Jewelry making - Article 00038] - Re: [Orchid] New Soldering Problem

[Skip Meister]

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>     I ran into a difficult soldering problem a couple of years ago.  I
>     finaly solved my problem by investment soldering.  perhaps this
>     will help you. First super glue the parts together in the position
>     you want them to be when the soldering is done.  Then mix up some
>     casting investment and set the piece in the investment so that it
>     will hold all of the parts in place with all of the spots to be
>     soldered exposed.

Hi,

    We use this in dentistry much of the time.  There are soldering
    investments made, I use one made by Coe, that set quickly and when
    mixed, have a thicker consistency for easier workability.  *BUT*...
    It is best to put the invested articles in a cold burnout oven and
    run it up to 1000 deg F in 30 min. (33 deg per min) because the water
    in the investment *will* boil and, if you are lucky, (and if you hold
    your tongue right)  only crack the investment and move the parts.  If
    you are unlucky it can explode violently in your face.  You can also
    use a hot plate with a flat piece of metal on the burner/coil and the
    invested piece covered with a vented tin can.  We often use the
    investment as a heat sink or as a protection for something (like
    dental porcelain) that can take the heat but not the direct flame. 
    The investment also slows the cooling rate and prevents distortion
    and shocking of the metallic crystalline structure providing you
    don't quench immediately.  If you are imbedding the parts totally in
    the investment, you must leave room for the flame to heat all sides,
    so after super gluing, take a wax spatula and flow stickey wax all
    around the joint(s) so you will have the room.  If anyone needs to
    know more, you can e-mail me off list. 

Regards,

Skip

-------------------------------------
Skip Meister
hansgraf AT xnet.com
Orchid Jewelry Listserve Member
A day without sunshine is like night!
N.R.A. Endowment  
"No man's life, liberty or fortune is safe...while our legislature is in session." 
Benjamin Franklin


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