What solder do you use for jewelry?
What solder do you use for jewelry?
Gold solders are generally used only for making gold jewelry while copper, brass, and bronze solders are typically used to make copper, brass, and bronze jewelry respectively.
How do you solder two pieces of jewelry together?
Cut the Solder and Apply Flux
- Place your metal pieces on the firebrick where you’re going to work. Cut a small amount of solder wire using sharp scissors.
- Working with a few small pieces is preferable to one larger piece of solder.
- Apply a small amount of flux to the area that’s going to be soldered using a paintbrush.
What kind of flux is used for jewelry?
The Best Fluxes To Use For Jewelry Soldering
Product Type | Product | Budget |
---|---|---|
HandyFlux | Handy Flux, 7 Ounce Jar with Brush | SOL-950.01 | $ |
Sparex Pickling Compound | Sparex Granular Dry Acid Compoud No.2 10 oz. | $ |
Prip’s Flux | Bocianelli Prip’s Flux by Griffith 16Oz | $ |
Do you have to pickle after soldering?
Every time you solder, be ready to pickle your piece as you go. Pickling is simply dissolving firescale from the top layer of your piece after it has been heated. It’s called pickling because jewelers used to remove firescale with a solution of alum, which is the same compound used to make pickles.
What can I use instead of flux to solder?
Petroleum jelly is the best effective alternative to commercial flux. Its waxes and mineral water ingredients make it antioxidant thas why you can easily use it as a soldering flux.
What is borax used for in jewelry?
Borax helps jewelers clean, coat, and protect the piece of metal they are working with. Using this white, powdery substance, jewelry makers solder gold and silver metal pieces of jewelry so that they can prevent the risk of metal oxidation and fire stains.
Can I use the same pickle for gold and silver?
You won’t get copper atoms in your pickle if using just fine silver or 24K gold but, since fine silver and pure gold don’t oxidize, there’s usually no need to pickle them in the first place. But, not always… Citric acid pickle is a safer, non-toxic pickle.
Can you solder without flux?
Yes, you need flux. Solder wire usually has flux in its core, but most still apply additional flux. I would figure out what specification of flux is in the solder wire you’re using and buy that type. To obtain the best results, always use extra flux!