[Jewelry making - Article 00572] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering silver to copper

[Karen Christians]

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Hi Alexis,

    I understand this problem well. I had a series of pins which were
    pierced out the shape of a head, "Head Pins", and the brain section
    was a bezel soldered to the copper base. I had a devil of a time
    trying to solder a rather large bezel to these brooches which were
    nearly two inches long. 

    Here is what I did to achieve success. 

    1) You need a GOOD copper cleaner. I liked using Penny Brite
    http://store.yahoo.com/cooks-corner/penbritclean.html 

    Penny Brite completely degreases the copper, and combined with clean
    flux, is essential for getting the solder to flow. Dry your copper
    well with a towel. Handle by the sides. 

    2) Copper eats heat, so you need a good blast. Flux your seams, you
    don't need to flux everything. Heat the piece from UNDERNEATH. I
    usually hold my work in a cross lock tweezer, rather than the large
    trivet arrangement. 

    Your soldering job should go well. 

    BTW, I just ran a soldering 101 workshop using Hoover and Strong
    wire silver solder. Great stuff! 

Good luck!

-k

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio


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