[Jewelry making - Article 00531] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering silver to copper

[Hans Durstling]

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Hi Alexis,

    A number factors may contribute to your problem. One is that copper
    being a non-noble metal oxidizes much more rapidly than silver and
    hence will more quickly exhaust the oxide-removing capacity of the
    flux. Self pickling flux may not be up to the job. Try any standard
    brazing flux like Handy & Harman's "Handy-Flux" instead, used
    generously. Limited torch heat from the Bernzomatic may be another,
    although I doubt this would become an issue until you get to bezel
    sizes bigger than say a silver dollar. For a good joint at lower heat
    you might try "Easy-Flo 45" - it's a low(er) temperature silver
    solder, substantially lower than "easy" jeweler's solder; both flux
    and solder are common and should be available at your friendly
    neighborhood welding supply store. By the way both these factors
    work in tandem. A low heat torch like the Bernzomatic means more
    heating time to bring the joint to soldering temperature, more
    heating time more oxidation = more likelihood of exhausting the
    flux. 

   Cheers,
   Hans Durstling
   Moncton, Canada

    (come say hello at the Alpha Supply booth in The Tucson Electric
    Park Show)

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