[Jewelry making - Article 00023] - [Orchid] Soldering copper is easy

[Gerald Alexander Livings]

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    I have followed this line of e-mails for a while and just felt the
    need to add my two cents. 

    I currently live in Madison WI. where I have taken some classes at
    the U of WI.. The instructor of the metals course is Fred Fenster
    and he is the main reason I went back to school since he is near
    retirement. In the classes he teaches we would routinely solder very
    large pieces of copper for rais ing ,sinking , sculpture, etc... the
    way we were taught is to first use a lot of flux to prevent the
    coppe r from oxidizing.  Prips flux is great for copper and silver but
    remember to cover the entire piece, inside and out, not just the
    joint. Second the torch has to be large enough to bring the piece up
    to solderin g temp before the copper can oxidize.  The classroom has
    several large gas and compressed air annealing touches that are great
    for this as the flame 

    can be adjusted to be slightly reducing and about 1 - 1 1/2 feet
    long. Third, have your piece on a rotating annealing pan so you can
    turn it for even heating. Forth, resist the temptation to hold the
    flame on the joint as this will burn off your flux, oxidize the
    joint and the solder, the heat will only be carried to the rest of
    the piece so the joint can't heat to soldering temp, and it is easier
    for you to melt a hole in your seam. this does take up a lot of space
    and needs some major venting.  so if you know someone who welds they
    might be able to help you set up a temporary work area in a garage or
    outside.  You might also try contacting Fred Fenster at the
    University of WI. Madison for advise and his schedule of where he is
    teaching during the summer. 

    as a last thought I want to let you know where I had problems.  I
    have made jewelry for years and have mostly used the Smith Little
    Touch.  I had a very hard time with the size flame needed for big
    items like hollow ware. 

    big job 3D big flame I tended to use to small a flame and gave my
    self more work then I needed to. 

    Well that is more then two cents but I hope it helps you. gook luck,
    Jerry Honorably, Gerald A. Livings 


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