[Jewelry making - Article 00453] - Re: [Orchid] Afraid to solder

[Bethkatz]

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Todd,

    Keep in mind that everyone started out with the frustrations going
    along with learning to solder. I know it does not help telling you
    that everyone at one time or another has melted metal, especially
    bezels which are usually very thin metal. When you started lapidary,
    you had various and sundry problems. No one is perfect the first
    time. Same with soldering. >From my point of view, since you had
    already done the bezel to the backing, you were way ahead. I would
    suggest that you use a soldering screen on a tri pod and heat the
    metal from below. The recommendation that I have is to not try to
    sweat solder, but rather to use a paste solder. Paste solder has flux
    already in the paste. You can place the paste exactly where you want
    to flow the solder. By using a lower temperature silver paste solder
    you have to bring the objects to be joined to not as hot a
    temperature such as, for example, a hard solder. When doing sweat
    soldering, you have to bring the metal and solder to an even higher
    temperature than the original flowing of the solder in order to make
    the solder flow again. That may have been some of the problems you
    encounter. Paste solder is placed directly where you want to join. In
    your case, in the bezel indentation, add the bezel on top of the
    paste. Then you place the object on the screen and heat from below.
    Keep your torch going back and forth from below. What you are trying
    to do is heat the entire piece of metal. You will see the solder
    begin to activate, keep your torch moving. Do not back off, keep the
    heat steady but do not keep the flame in one place, keep it moving.
    When the entire piece is heated, and reaches the proper temperature
    for that formula of solder, the solder will begin to flow. At that
    time, you can bring your flame to the top of the piece and gently
    direct the heat at the lower sides of the bezel to bring the solder
    to flow around the bezel, keep the flame moving. As the heat is
    directed towards the bottom, the solder will fill in the gaps between
    the back part of the bezel and the Orca. Soldering is a learned
    talent. You might want to start with a simple project or two until
    you get the real hang of soldering. Soldering jump rings together
    give you great insight into how paste solder works. Practice is the
    key. Go for it! 

Beth Katz - Unique Solutions, Inc.
http://www.myuniquesolutions.com
Paste Solder and Powder Solder for Metalsmiths and Jewelers
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