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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 3, 2018 14:08:27 GMT -5
This question is a long shot, but I am looking for anyone that can recommend a solder for rose gold. I've tried yellow gold and copper solder and it all stands out like a sore thumb. RioGrande has an article that states they don't sell any because it all either has cadmium or doesn't flow worth a darn. If I take precautions is cadmium that bad? Does it create hazards for the wearer as well? OttoFrei has some that is cadmium free, but it has no reviews.
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Post by toiv0 on Apr 3, 2018 14:43:00 GMT -5
This question is a long shot, but I am looking for anyone that can recommend a solder for rose gold. I've tried yellow gold and copper solder and it all stands out like a sore thumb. RioGrande has an article that states they don't sell any because it all either has cadmium or doesn't flow worth a darn. If I take precautions is cadmium that bad? Does it create hazards for the wearer as well? OttoFrei has some that is cadmium free, but it has no reviews. I read some where you can use a lesser karat gold for solder. So if you are soldering 14k you could use 10k. Just off of memory not experience.
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gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,796
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 3, 2018 16:08:30 GMT -5
fantastic5, I can't help you with your solder search but I strongly advise against using any solder with cadmium content. Cadmium was a common alloy in silver solder when I first started smithing years ago and there were many serious health consequences due to its use. It was eventually eliminated. I did some quick research in one of my most comprehensive goldsmithing texts and the author was adamant: don't use solders containing cadmium!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 3, 2018 16:46:49 GMT -5
Anne fantastic5 , I just went looking online for you. Found someone selling cadmium free. I believe you need to call for prices.
Stuller is the company name, they are in Louisiana. www.stuller.com/products/solder-sheet-cadmium-free/10825199/?groupId=125520
Sheet Cadmium Free Solder SOLDER / Sheet / 14K Rose / Plumb / Cadmium Free / Easy / Regular / 1 dwt Item #: SOLDER:98650:P
SOLDER / Sheet / 14K Rose / Plumb / Cadmium Free / Medium / Regular / 1 dwt Item #: SOLDER:9948:P
SOLDER / Sheet / 14K Rose / Plumb / Cadmium Free / Hard / Regular / 1 dwt Item #: SOLDER:9947:P
Metal Color - Rose Gold (Other colors also available) Metal Purity - 14K Color Match - Regular Solder Type - Plumb Unit - 1 dwt
Specifications
Cadmium Option - Cadmium Free Alloy Number - 0646 (rose gold) Cadmium Bearing - N Gauge of Product - N/A Solder Color Match - Regular Solder Flow Easy, Hard or Medium Solder Type - Plumb Metal Quality - 14KR Jewelry Material Type1 - Gold Metal Purity1 - 14k Metal Color1 - Rose Metal Gauge - N/A Solder Flow Temperature - 1470 ? F Solder Melting Point - 1140 ? F
I have never bought anything from this company before, never even heard of this company before today.
Just throwing it out there for you. Never hurts to contact them. Good Luck!
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Don
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He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
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Post by Don on Apr 3, 2018 17:16:11 GMT -5
Rio just says to use 14k yellow easy solder. Not the best color match, but a fine yellow line shouldn't be too noticeable. I have no experience with the rose gold solders. The copper solder is a poor product overall IMO.
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gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,796
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 3, 2018 17:34:05 GMT -5
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Post by rockpickerforever on Apr 3, 2018 17:54:43 GMT -5
Rick gemfeller, I wouldn't know. But it kind of makes you wonder when they don't list prices on their website? Like, if you have to ask, just maybe you can't afford it. I can see where a company like that might not want to deal with the little guy. Not worth their time. My take on it, anyway. I have no experience with yellow gold solder, rose gold solder, or even plain ol' silver solder. Have not moved on to that level. Don - I imagine a fine yellow line is preferable to working with cadmium.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 3, 2018 18:25:15 GMT -5
I believe Stuller is a to the trade business and they require a business license as well as a minimum dollar amount purchase. I've never used them because of the minimum dollar amount, which is way too rich for my blood.
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gemfeller
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Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,796
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Post by gemfeller on Apr 3, 2018 19:17:59 GMT -5
I believe Stuller is a to the trade business and they require a business license as well as a minimum dollar amount purchase. I've never used them because of the minimum dollar amount, which is way too rich for my blood. They were happy with my business for 15 years or more, and I spent a fair amount with them. But as they grew they expected annual spending far higher than the $1K or so I did with them at the end. They are definitely a trade-only business and their products are top-tier if you qualify.
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 3, 2018 20:10:49 GMT -5
This question is a long shot, but I am looking for anyone that can recommend a solder for rose gold. I've tried yellow gold and copper solder and it all stands out like a sore thumb. RioGrande has an article that states they don't sell any because it all either has cadmium or doesn't flow worth a darn. If I take precautions is cadmium that bad? Does it create hazards for the wearer as well? OttoFrei has some that is cadmium free, but it has no reviews. I read some where you can use a lesser karat gold for solder. So if you are soldering 14k you could use 10k. Just off of memory not experience. It was a 10k yellow gold that Rio recommend that I tried. It was too noticable on the rise gold wire for my liking. But then again it could just be my skill level isn't ready for getting the solder to only run into the join and not flash up into the wire itself.
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 3, 2018 20:19:14 GMT -5
Rio just says to use 14k yellow easy solder. Not the best color match, but a fine yellow line shouldn't be too noticeable. I have no experience with the rose gold solders. The copper solder is a poor product overall IMO. A fine yellow line wouldn't be a problem. I'm either getting to big flash up around the wire, or the joint doesn't close. And because I'm working with 14/20 gold fill I'm afraid to do much sanding. I did find the cadmium free from Otto Frei, but I was hoping someone may have expertise with how well it flows. I may just buy some from them and hope for the best. It's not cheap, but nether is the rose gold filled wire I keep messing up. My 20 year old daughter just loves rose gold jewelry and I'm trying to make her a few things.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Apr 3, 2018 21:25:26 GMT -5
Good luck with the gold filled. I hate soldering with that stuff. I sell a few G/F products and cringe every time one sells. It likes to copper flash if you overheat it in the slightest and you can't clean up any excess solder. The only other advice for the rose gold is to find someone with a plating setup and re-plate the rose gold fill after it's been soldered to hide the yellow gold solder.
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Post by Rockoonz on Apr 3, 2018 21:56:19 GMT -5
I definitely would like to hear and see your results. Have you considered 2 tone on yellow gold or sterling? that would solve any line problem,
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 4, 2018 6:34:21 GMT -5
Good luck with the gold filled. I hate soldering with that stuff. I sell a few G/F products and cringe every time one sells. It likes to copper flash if you overheat it in the slightest and you can't clean up any excess solder. The only other advice for the rose gold is to find someone with a plating setup and re-plate the rose gold fill after it's been soldered to hide the yellow gold solder. Thanks Don. At least with the rose gold any copper flash matches pretty well. I started playing with silver fill when I first started out, figured it was cheaper way to learn, and the copper flash on that was awful. I finally just moved to sterling because all my filled pieces looked so bad. My daughter loves rose gold I was hoping to figure out how to make this work.
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 4, 2018 6:37:35 GMT -5
I definitely would like to hear and see your results. Have you considered 2 tone on yellow gold or sterling? that would solve any line problem, I think I will give the OttoFrei product a try. I'll post back here once I actually try the product. Being so new to soldering my experience shouldn't be taken as a real product review however. My daughter LOVES anything with rose gold and is real excited with the prospect of playing around designing jewelry with me. She is 20 and in college and the thought of her wanting to spend time with her old mamma has me jumping through hoops trying to make this work.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Apr 4, 2018 9:37:44 GMT -5
Give Otto Frei a call and see if they can give you any pointers on getting a good solder join with that solder. They may be able to give you some advice.
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Post by aDave on Apr 4, 2018 12:33:03 GMT -5
Ann fantastic5, I found this on YouTube. Don't know if it has any tips or hints that applies to what you're doing. This stuff is all foreign to me.
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 4, 2018 14:24:28 GMT -5
Ann fantastic5, I found this on YouTube. Don't know if it has any tips or hints that applies to what you're doing. This stuff is all foreign to me. I saw that video too. I think the take away from that is you can't get the pieces clean enough. The RG solder is such a high temp that any oils will foul the whole thing up. I bought some RG solder on line today. Cadmium free. Hopefully will be giving this a try next week!
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Post by fantastic5 on Apr 23, 2018 20:59:35 GMT -5
I had the chance to work with the 14KP Easy Cadmium Free Plum Rose Gold Solder that I bought from Bella Findings House. For those of you who are interested in the product my first comment is that it is still very yellow. The first picture is with the sheet and a yellow gold and rose gold finding. The second picture is a close up of a jump ring that I felt was my worse one, as far as getting too much solder on the piece and leaving a yellow join. But overall I'm happy with the way the necklace turned out. It is a 'Get me home' travelers necklace. It has the GPS coordinates to my house. My youngest daughter is leaving for three weeks in India in about a week and a half. She is traveling alone and will be volunteering in an underserved hospital. She certainly had my wanderlust and now I understand what I put my mom through. Lol.
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Post by toiv0 on May 11, 2018 23:31:56 GMT -5
I had the chance to work with the 14KP Easy Cadmium Free Plum Rose Gold Solder that I bought from Bella Findings House. For those of you who are interested in the product my first comment is that it is still very yellow. The first picture is with the sheet and a yellow gold and rose gold finding. The second picture is a close up of a jump ring that I felt was my worse one, as far as getting too much solder on the piece and leaving a yellow join. But overall I'm happy with the way the necklace turned out. It is a 'Get me home' travelers necklace. It has the GPS coordinates to my house. My youngest daughter is leaving for three weeks in India in about a week and a half. She is traveling alone and will be volunteering in an underserved hospital. She certainly had my wanderlust and now I understand what I put my mom through. Lol. Pretty cool Idea the travelers pendant, had never heard of such a thing. How is she doing? Is she enjoying the culture or is it all work.
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