[Jewelry making - Article 00235] - Re: [Orchid] Argentium Sterling and solder

[Trevor]

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>     Trevor, why is indirect heating better than more heat? 

    Um, because it works? Sorry, not trying to be a smart-mouth, I just
    don't have a better answer. I think it's probably got something to
    do with the low melting stuff in the solder burning off easily (or
    perhaps oxidizing quickly) and thus leaving a higher melting residue
    but I don't know that for certain. 

    What I do know is that heating the Argentium Hard in such a way that
    the flame doesn't touch it until the last second(s) of it's melt
    seems to allow it to flow much better. Needless to say this could be
    due to my torch, the fuel gas I use, my particular flux, the color of
    my eyes... ok maybe not that but you get the idea: your mileage may
    vary. But FWIW this is not an unheard of phenomenon, it's just that
    regular sterling solder isn't all that prone to this so we don't
    notice it that much. 

    Back when I first got the solders I did some melt testing and wrote
    a little more on this subject. See "Testing the new solders" at
    http://www.touchmetal.com/blog/2005/07/testing-new-solders.html 

>     Also, it doesn't seem to matter which flux I use.... 

    Keep trying, I think you'll find that it will. I strongly recommend
    that you read what Marty at argexp.blogspot.com has to say on the
    flux subject. He did some pretty good testing on fluxes and found
    that it does indeed make a difference. This has been supported by
    others having similar experiences. Unfortunately none of the fluxes
    you've listed as trying were among the better performers. 

Cheers,
Trevor F.
in The City of Light
Visit TouchMetal.com at http://www.touchmetal.com
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