[Jewelry making - Article 00172] - Re: [Orchid] Soldering tube settings together

[Helen Hill]

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>     Plumb solder is the karat specified. 14kt. solder might be 10 kt.
>     gold, but 14kt. plumb solder is 14kt. gold. Same with sterling
>     plumb, I would think, if there's such a thing - the solder will be
>     sterling silver or 925. The flow and temp. of them is manipulated
>     by the alloy, not by lowering the karat as is often done. Me, I use
>     plumb solder exclusively. 

    Yes, that's exactly what I was told. Thanks for clarifying it John.
    What I can't understand is that none of the UK suppliers I have
    tried have even heard of "plumb" solder and keep suggesting to me
    that it must be a brand name!!! 

    I have been recommended to use a few suppliers and I've contacted
    them all. One company got back to me yesterday saying that the
    solder they sell which they refer to as "Hallmarking standard" is
    only 67% silver rather than 92.5% so that is obviously NOT "plumb". I
    can't understand why I can't get it over here - it's ridiculous
    considering that we have to send everything (above certain weights:
    7.78g for silver, 1.00g for gold and 0.50g for platinum) for assay
    if it's to be sold. I'm already using the 67% stuff and it just
    doesn't work as well as the "plumb" sterling solder I was sent from
    America. I may well have to buy it in from across the pond as it's a
    dream to use. I've still got some of the medium and easy but have run
    out of the hard as that's what I prefer to use. 

Thanks John.

Helen
UK
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