[Jewelry making - Article 00346] - Re: [Orchid] Silicon carbide soldering grains

[Bethkatz]

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Jean Marie,

    I use silicon carbide soldering grains (I call the product soldering
    sand) all the time. It is a wonderful way to hold up the article
    that you are soldering and have the object placed to be joined
    exactly where you want it; it allows you to have the join in the
    exact spot to be soldered. I have set my soldering grains in a small
    porcelain crucible (shaped like a small bowl) that is usually used
    for holding molten metal when bringing the metal to the proper
    temperature for casting. Since the grains are small, they hold the
    piece to be soldered very well. I find the grains are more like a
    small pumice and do not hold heat like a charcoal block. The
    container will of course become hot and retain heat, but not so much
    as it is bounding back into the piece. Please use this container and
    has been placed on top of a soldering board or another heat proof
    surface. The container gets very, very hot and cannot be moved with a
    bare hand; keep that in mind when starting the setup. There are
    several sizes that were available in the sand, it seems now that
    there is only the fine that is still available. I use two different
    "pots" of soldering sand that have different size grain, but I solder
    with either size not sticking to one or the other for a specific job.
    You do have to be careful not to get any solder on the grains. I have
    recently bought the grains at a supplier named "The Mine Shaft" in
    south Florida 800-654-3934. No affiliation, just happy customer. 

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