[Jewelry making - Article 00393] - Re: [Orchid] Cleverwerx soldering set

[James Binnion]

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>     Tungsten for welding contains 5% thorium. Thorium is used to coat
>     tungsten wire used in electronic equipment, improving the electron
>     emission of heated cathodes. I don't know how this will react with
>     silver solder or with pickle. 

    There are several varieties of tungsten rods used for welding: pure
    tungsten, and several tungsten and oxide combinations,
    tungsten-thoria (not thorium but its oxide), tungsten-cerium oxide,
    tungsten-zirconium oxide, and tungsten lanthanum oxide. The oxides
    are as you say used to enhance electron emission and stabilize the
    arc. If you are going to use one of these for a soldering pick chose
    the pure tungsten ones (they are used for AC TIG welding) and
    definitely stay away from the thoria ones as they are slightly
    radioactive and you don't want to breathe the dust from grinding them 


>     I've used tungsten picks before from suppliers and found that
>     silver solder would melt onto the pick. Maybe it wasn't pure
>     tungsten, but again it's the consistent and repetitive heating.
>     However, you are right, I haven't fully explored this yet and I
>     will give it a try. My husband has some in stock as he owns a tig
>     welder. The width of the welding stock is wider than the thin rod
>     you get from jewelry suppliers. 

    They are available from .020" to 5/16 diameter 

Regards,

Jim

James Binnion
jbin AT mokume-gane.com
James Binnion Metal Arts
http://www.mokume-gane.com
360-756-6550
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