[Jewelry making - Article 00058] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering Argentium Silver

[Cynthia Eid]

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>      I'll be interested to hear what Trevor and Cynthia have to
>     suggest. I'm still learning a lot, but I don't miss the firescale!! 

    Well, Judy, I was going to "sit this one out" and let others
    answer----I was thinking that maybe I have been "talking too much". 
    However, since you ask: 

    * Use a soldering surface that is nice and flat, and highly
    reflective.  (I like the way that some catalogs, such as Rio's,
    discuss how reflective the the soldering block is, BTW.) 

    * instead of laying the flat sheet directly on the soldering block,
    lay out some soldering pins  (steel cotter pins that have been spread
    in to V shapes, or steel T-pins, or lengths of heavy binding
    wire....) so that they support the sheet, but allow you to direct the
    flame under the metal so that you are not directing the flame at the
    bezel.  (I think I originally learned this technique from Fred
    Fenster...) 

    * after the initial heating, remember that the Argentium Sterling
    Silver does not conduct the heat like regular sterling----so, don't
    try to get the solder to flow all at once.   If you are accustomed to
    soldering gold, use a similar technique.  (If you are not, then this
    is good preparation for learning to solder gold!) 

    * whenever you are soldering a bezel, don't put the flame directly
    on it---let the "side"of the flame, as you direct it at the larger
    piece, get it hot 

    * consider putting the solder on the outside of the bezel, if you
    are going to trim the sheet anyways.  It makes it a bit easier to get
    it to flow. 

    * why bother with such tiny pieces of solder?  Let the capillary
    action do the work for you. 

    Another method is to put a flat screen on a soldering trivet, and
    heat from below.  I don't personally care for that method, though, as
    you have to get the screen hot.  A lot of people like it, though.... 

I hope this helps!
Cindy

Cynthia Eid
http://www.cynthiaeid.com

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