[Jewelry making - Article 01216] - Re: [Orchid] Problems soldering posts to Argentium Sterling

[Trevor F]

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>     ... the argenitum backplate always slumps. Is anyone else having
>     this problem? 

    As indicated in all the major information resources for Argentium
    Silver, AS will slump if it is over-heated. Since backplates are
    particularly prone to this kind of difficulty it is important to
    support the plate from underneath -- as in laying it on a soldering
    brick or whatever -- when you are doing this kind of work. Thing to
    watch out for include: the thinner the plate the greater the tendency
    to slump; the hotter your flame the greater the tendency to slump;
    and the higher your working temperatures the more important the use
    of supports. 

    If you follow these basic guidelines and use a little inventiveness
    you won't have slumping issues, especially if you are using the
    easier solders. 

    So, if your AS is slumping you are almost certainly over-heating it.
    This could be because you're using a hot-running torch, particularly
    thin gauge plate, too bright a work light so you're not seeing the
    metal colors, or some combination thereof. With proper control of
    your tools and workpiece it is quite easy to eliminate over-heating
    and the corresponding slumping issues. 

    I believe this has all been discussed before here, on Cythia's site
    if I'm not mistaken, and certainly on my blog. 

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