[Jewelry making - Article 00107] - Re: [Orchid] Hard soldering sterling silver

[coralnut]

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Julie,

    It is difficult to answer your questions without having seen your
    set up and technique but I will try. 

    One possible reason the solder did not flow even though the piece
    was "hot and shimmering" could be that when using a small flame it
    takes longer to heat the metal.  This results in the solder itself
    becoming oxidized (if not the metal which will also oxidize).  Use
    the old computer adage 'garbage in - garbage out' but in this trade
    its, 'get in - get out'. The longer you have your heat on the
    pieces, the more likely you are to get firescale. 

    Next, there is the possibility that you were heating the locale
    around the join but the rest of the larger piece was eating the
    heat!  You should use as wide a reducing flame as you can and heat
    the entire piece before moving the flame tip  near the join being
    soldered.  Always identify the largest piece of those being
    soldered....this is the sink.  It should be heated first.  As it
    heats, it will transfer the heat to the smaller piece and the
    solder. When the entire set up reaches the proper heat, the solder
    will simply transfer and flow through the join.  Try to keep the
    flame away from the solder!  The solder has a higher copper content
    than the SS and will oxidize more quickly. 

    You use two kinds of flux when soldering.  The first, which is
    applied before setting up the pieces, is a 'protective' flux.  It 
    helps preclude firescale by forming a protective glassy layer over
    the broader areas to absorb and/or reflect excess oxygen.  The
    second flux applied directly to the join area is a 'wetting' flux. 
    It 'wets' the metal where it is applied, cleans it and facilitates
    the flow of the solder. Sounds like you are now getting the
    idea....keep trying. 

    Cheers from Don at The Charles Belle Studio in SOFL where simple
    elegance IS fine jewelry! dcdietz AT comcast.net

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