mc2
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since April 2009
Posts: 1,147
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Post by mc2 on Mar 20, 2011 22:06:15 GMT -5
Hey Nate! Here are pics of my latest soldering attempt. I used the boric acid flux, a micro torch, the hard silver solder, and 14 ga deadsoft half round wire. Oh yea, pickle, and zam ploish to shine it up. My biggest problem is with getting the wire, the prongs, to lay flat. I worked with it so much I messed up the frame a bit. Still learning!!    How are you coming along? Mike |
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NDK
Cave Dweller 
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 21, 2011 20:52:48 GMT -5
Mike, that doesn't look too bad.
As far as my progress, well, it's at a standstill right now. I attempted soldering some copper, and sorta got it to work. I am debating purchasing a jeweler's torch. I'm not real confident in the butane one I have. I bought some heavier argentium silver to try as soon as I figure out the soldering. I've got a bunch of work to do on my motorcycle right now that the rocks have been pushed aside for the time being too.
Nate
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Post by Jack ( Yorkshire) on Mar 22, 2011 3:52:52 GMT -5
Hi Mike
I like the heart you did it is great the back especialy.
The joints are realy good and the design excelent
Jack
yorkshire uk
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ssilverhawk
off to a rocking start
Member since March 2011
Posts: 11
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Post by ssilverhawk on Mar 23, 2011 0:34:35 GMT -5
Hiya Nate,
Handy Flux is what I use, and I've never found anything to compare. It's a nice, thick white paste that stays where you put it. Can't advise as to whether it'll work with the copper solder you have, but try it on a scrap piece. Ought to do fine on all non ferrous.
Last year, my cousin bought me a bottle of Fire Scoff, which helps prevent firescale. Comes in a pump spray. It works fairly well, but even though they claim you can solder using it alone, I always use the Handy Flux along with it.
Good luck,
Sam
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Mar 23, 2011 19:32:01 GMT -5
Thank you Sam. I watched the videos in the link Mike posted, and I think that's what flux she used. Looked pretty nice.
Nate
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Post by Tony W on Mar 26, 2011 11:20:16 GMT -5
Yep, I've tried all of it, Nate, but keeping coming back to paste flux. The pump spray liquid doesn't do as well as the paste as a stand alone, so, like SilverHawk I use both together sometimes. Mostly it is about ease of use. I use Ph down for pickle and just use it cold, letting the heat of the piece supply the heat, or leave the piece in over night. The borax/alcohol works great for a complete coverage, but the paste is just easier to use. I use borax when I'm melting silver shot... and you can just put some in a bottle with water and coat the piece as flux, if you want....but in the end I always come back to the simplicity of paste. The best thing I did for firescale was a hint from Phil/SteelandStone to get some stainless steel shot and use it in my vibe tumbler to clean the silver. The vibe and shot works wonders on even the nastiest silver and I am really good at creating the nastiest, burned, fire scaled, stained silver imaginable  I started off using a 12 buck propane bottle/ torch setup from Home Despot, or Lowes, or hardware store, etc. but I found it was hard to hold, and seemed harder to control the flame like I wanted. Eventually, Tom/Connrock talked me into an actelene plumbing set up with a proper set of torch nozzles and hose, and it is so much easier to use. I got torch, hose, nozzles and regulator on Ebay for maybe 60 bucks. The gas bottle was more, but it lasts a long time, and after the one time expense of buying the bottle, the refills are maybe 15/20 bucks...I can't remember as I only have refilled once, and that was because I forgot to turn off the gas knob with I was finished with it, and the bottle emptied. After lots of practice I can use it to aim the flame so well, I'm just using hard solder for most of my joins now. I'd like to say I'm a natural, but it took years of trying, vaporizing lots of silver, and lots of name calling from Tom, to get where I am today..and that is pretty poor still, lol. But I have lots of fun, and you just have to keep at it when you are ready to give up. It will eventually come, but some of us, like me, can be slow on the uptake apparently T |
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rocpup
spending too much on rocks
Pink Limb Iris
Member since March 2011
Posts: 465
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Post by rocpup on Mar 26, 2011 12:08:50 GMT -5
NDK you can find Boric Acid at most Drug stores. Just ask the Pharmacist. Mix boric acid with alcohol. Put some Alcohol in a glass container and add boric until it will no longer dissolve. The mixture is used as an antioxidant to protect your silver piece from fire scale and it is not a flux. Simply dip your silver or brush it on then burn it off. You may have to add a little alcohol for your next job.The boric acid leaves a protective layer from the oxygen when silver is heated. Then use a small amount of SILVER FLUX and solder sniplets to attach your pieces. Simple HUH.
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