[Jewelry making - Article 00836] - Re: [Orchid] Etching and red and brown stains on brass

[Len and Judy Bjorkman]

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>     The solder is a whole other problem. I'm using silver solder
>     because I can't find a brass one that will flow. I bought some
>     brass solder from Rio but the melting temperature is higher than
>     the brass that I'm using. I've had the same experience with other
>     various bass solders I've tried. With so many people making all
>     kinds of things out of brass it's hard to believe there isn't a
>     brass colored solder that doesn't involve hording pre 1981
>     pennies(rolling one and using it as solder was suggestion I was
>     given). Any new ideas on the subject? 

    Sandra, if  your brass solder is not  flowing,  you're not  heating
    it enough.  I  can't imagine what brass sheet you're using that
    would melt before the solder (is it  red brass?  That's what Rio
    sells -- 15% Zn, 85% Cu).  The flux for silver soldering should work
    fine with the brass, although if your box is quite large,  you may
    want to buy the black flux (available at any welding supply store)
    which lasts longer at the higher heats you will  need for soldering
    brass. 

    I use paillons of hammered brazing rod for much  of my brass
    soldering. The  color match  is quite good,  but it requires  even
    more heat than the available brass solders and will only work with
    red brass, not the "standard" brasses that have  a higher zinc
    content (and possibly some lead). 

    Pennies are for trying to  get a  copper-colored solder for copper, 
    not brass.  That is tricky, because their melting points  are  quite
    close (but  it does work for simple seams in copper). 

    If you don't mind working with a cadmium-containing solder (cadmium
    is dangerous.... wear a mask for metal fumes and vent your area),
    Indian Jewelers  Supply still  has some.  The Easy-Flo does  flow
    very nicely, at a lower temperature, and it has a somewhat brassy
    color. 

    As for the problem of the etched look,  can you tumble-polish your
    final product?  It's a lot easier than wheel-polishing. 

All the best,
Judy Bjorkman

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