[Jewelry making - Article 00031] - Re: [Orchid] Heated Silver Become Concave

[Bethkatz]

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>     I'm curious, when this concave activity happens with Bi-metal how
>     do you keep the 'fit' that is necessary to do a proper solder join?
>     This has always been a problem for me when heating and trying to
>     solder Bi-metal to another piece.? 

    The reason that the piece is collapsing or distorting may be that you
    are overheating the metals when you are soldering. You are dealing
    with two different melting temperatures and expanding temperatures in
    the copper fine silver bi metal. You need to use an extra easy silver
    soldering paste that melts at 1115 F and flows at 1205 F (#56). If
    you have to bring the metals to too high a temperature to get the
    solder to flow, the metals loose the shape created with the hammering
    and under all that heat tend to collapse. You can also use an easy
    paste solder that flows at 1310 F (#60) should you want to make more
    than one join on your piece. After you have made one join and need to
    make another, a great way to do this is to coat the first join with a
    product called Stop-flow. This will keep the solder from flowing. If
    you are going to do a bigger area, you may have to go to one of the
    products that keeps your work cool, such as Kool Jewel. The Stop-flow
    is also an excellent product to keep the solder from getting into
    your patterned bi-metal, or any patterned metal. Simply brush on near
    the seam and then the solder will not flow over the design. Remember,
    every place you have put that product, the solder will not flow. The
    reason I like this so much is that once you have finished the
    soldering operation, Stop-flow will just wash off with regular soap
    and water. It may need a boost from a toothbrush to get into the
    little areas, but there is no big problem with removing it after you
    have soldered. The yellow ochre that many are using to stop the
    solder flow is so hard to remove and almost takes an act of congress
    to get it off the piece. I get the Stop-flow at Mine Shaft in
    Pompano, FL 800-654-3934 (no affiliation- just a good supplier)

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


 
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