[Jewelry making - Article 00569] - Re: [Orchid] Platinum laser wires differences

[james newton]

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    I find that laser welding smaller pieces of silver is not terribly
    difficult. The welded silver will get too reflective, but the
    application of red Sharpie (or any color Sharpie) allows the laser
    pulse to "bite". Due to the high reflection I often have to reapply
    the Sharpie after each pulse. And yes the "Sharpie" is highly
    flamable, isn't it? 

    It is larger and thicker sterling welds that are difficult, to
    impossible to do well. "Stress cracks" appear in welds that a moment
    earlier looked OK. I found that switching to a newer "pulse shaping"
    laser helped only marginally, as did using Argon gas. 

    Using the silver solder laser wire does seem to help, but I am not
    satisfied by the look of the seams that soldering produces. 

    If anyone else has ideas on improving the quality of laser welding
    sterling without solder, I would be more than happy to listen!!!
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