[Jewelry making - Article 01017] - Re: [Orchid] Magnesia soldering block

[coralnut]

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    Judy, Actually it is a good idea to have more than one kind of
    soldering pad/block in your shop because there are many different
    kinds of applications for various situations. 

    Charcoal blocks are expensive, there is no argument over that!  But,
    charcoal absorbes oxygen and, when doing certain jobs where you want
    to protect the job from O2, you can often do it on a charcoal block
    safely.  Sometimes, as when fusing, you can build a small 'oven' of
    charcoal blocks and create a high temperature but nearly O2-less
    atmosphere. Charcoal is also great to cave in...to create a temporary
    casting shape, make small ingots, when creating round balls of metal,
    etc.  Some smiths enjoy surface casting on charcoal when the surface
    has become cracked and pitted to create unusual- one of a kind
    pieces.  You can make a useful soldering bridge by standing two
    blocks next to each other and placing a soldering screen over them. 
    This is useful for soldering large bezels of when sweat soldering and
    heating from underneath.  The charcoal reflects the heat inward and
    raises the overall temp reducing the amount of O2 on the surface of
    the piece. 

    Regular soldering jobs can be done on cheaper and longer lasting
    materials such as the round pans of 'asbestos-like' material, a
    firebrick, or any of the many other materials out there. 

    Just a few suggestions.  Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio
    in SOFL where simple elelgance IS fine jewelry! dcdietz AT comcast.net


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