[Jewelry making - Article 00052] - [Orchid] Solder melted into the metal...

[Carol Stall]

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    Howdy all, I finally got the ole studio set up and rolling. After
    listening to numerous safety tips by Orchidians, (than you so much!)
    we installed a little "doggie door" in the wall of my studio--so the
    new oxy-propane rig and the old prestolite (for silver) cold be
    safely used, then removed. 

    A neighbor rigged a tin structure on the side of the wall to house
    the oxy-propane, and the old prestolite sat next to it partially
    sheltered in a trash can. 

    Today, was just one of those days. The tin structure fell off the
    wall as I was hooking up the hoses-- it fell and knocked the
    Prestolite over--mashing the regulator screw into its socket. I
    presume that is trashed and will now need replacing. 

    So I had to use the oxy-propane for an argentium ring. The argentium
    ring is a prototype for two 18k gold "overlay", rings I will be
    making later this week. 

    Things did not go well even after the tin structure fell and trashed
    the old Prestolite. 

    To set up the soldering for the overlay, I partially melted bits of
    hard argentium solder onto the thicker piece. Everything was squeeky
    clean, fluxed with prips and (later when it didn't take, I added
    denatured alcohol. Both layers were cleaned in the ionic cleaner,
    then in alcohol as well. 

    Never did the solder flow as I recall solder flowing in the old
    days-- The metal got very red and the solder kind of dissipated--
    but not with a nice flow. 

    There were obvious gaps between the layers where the solder was not
    flowing. After rounding the ring out, I tried to close those very
    tiny gaps with medium solder which I was using for the main joint as
    well. The solder melted, but seemed to disappear into the metal???? 

    Was my new torch too hot? Is it the solder? The metal? Wrong flux? 

    In a few days I will be doing the same design in gold on a strict
    deadline and this absolutely cannot happen! 

    Any words of wisdom? 

Thanks & Cheers!
Carol
Austin, TX
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