[Jewelry making - Article 00030] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering piano wire

[H.Durstling]

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    Hi Sidney, Normal silver solder will "take" on steel. Plating works
    best on a chemically clean surface. I should think a quick dip in
    muriatic acid would do. Very quick:  you don't want to dissolve away
    the piano wire. The thinner the wire the greaterthe risk. Then rinse,
    ideally in distilled water. Do this ventilated or outdoors; muriatic
    fumes in the workshop will rust your tools. 

    Soldering heat will soften the piano wire. If you are using it for
    its springyness you have a problem. You may be able to quench harden
    it by dumping the assembly into water all in one swift motion
    immediately after you take the torch away, while it's still almost at
    soldering temperature. But that is pretty ad-hoc. It may work on some
    pieces and not on others; it may also make the wire not only springy
    again but brittle in addition. 

Cheers,
Hans Durstling
Moncton, Canada


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