[Jewelry making - Article 00075] - Re: [Orchid] Paste solder tips

[Bethkatz]

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Alysia,

    Maybe the problem is that the paste solder has dried out and it
    could not be pushed through the needle. Try a product that has a
    non-drying formula in the future. There can be several other issues
    with  the soldering needles which is why you may have had trouble
    using it.  First, the needles could be too small a gauge for the mesh
    of the particles  that are in the paste. You cannot push something
    through that has particles too  large to go through the holes. IE:
    large square peg into small round hole. The  usual gauge for this
    type of product in silver is an 18 gauge needle. A dark green is
    usually an 18 ga. The needles that were supplied may have been the
    wrong size. If the needle tip was pink in color, then it is probably
    20 gauge, to small for most silver paste. This size is designed  for
    gold which is ground to a finer mesh. Another thing that happens is
    when you get the heat too close to the needle  tip or apply solder to
    a hot surface using the needle.  If applying solder  paste to a hot
    surface, then the binder can burn and go up the needle and plug  the
    opening. This sometimes happens when you are working fast and trying
    to get  it exactly in  the correct spot and not thinking the project
    is hot enough  to make the paste cook. You can always add paste by
    squeezing it out onto a  toothpick and putting a small amount on the
    project itself without causing the tube needle to get clogged. Paste
    solder is also available in jars where  you can "scoop" out a small
    amount with a toothpick, piece of scrap wire, small  spatula or any
    other way you can devise to get the paste where you want it  placed. 

Beth Katz
http://www.myuniquesolutions.com
Non-Drying Paste Solder and Powder Solder for Jewelers &  Metalsmiths

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