[Jewelry making - Article 01208] - Re: [Orchid] Polishing tricky area

[J Collier]

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>     In soldering previously polished area there are 2 primary issues
>     to deal with. 1. To avoid "gosting" ( traces of melted solder ). 2.
>     Preserve original finish. 

    I can fully see how meeting the requirements of both issues, #1 & #2
    above have an effect on the final outcome of the soldered piece as
    to the state of the polished surface. My techniques address both and
    include the careful application to produce a oxide preventative
    barrier with boric acid and alcohol. 

    Where we depart in procedure is the use of easy solder. Many of the
    pieces require multiple solderings of hard, medium and sometimes
    easy. The easy has a great tendency to flow into unwanted areas
    regardless of technique, amount of solder used, or use of any of the
    solder stops available. I avoid the easy when possible. 

    The polishing technique is understood to be important to the process
    as well. Acquiring a good polished surface has not been a problem.
    The true problem is maintaining the level of polishing on the piece
    after soldering where it requires absolutely no clean up afterwards. 

    regarding the "beilby layer" you suggested I google, this was done
    and the varying results were mostly not pertinent to the discussion.
    In fact there was some decidedly conflicting information. A less than
    encouraging view was given by AZOM, a metallurgical site for
    information. http://www.azom.com/details.asp?ArticleID=1511 

    "The presence of amorphous metal was widely accepted in the 1930's,
    mainly as a result of work by Rosenhain, and his powerful support of
    it using his great skill in debate. This did not lead to any
    significant advances in polishing techniques and was eventually fully
    discredited." 

    To avoid such conflicts in information about the "beilby layer" and
    to better understand the polishing process, I must ask if I may
    prevail on you to give a general overview of the polishing procedure
    as you understand it in order to arrive at the soldering with
    absolutely no clean up afterwards. 

    I appreciate any information you can give. 

J Collier
Small Scale Metalsmith
http://jlcollier.com
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