Equipment focus: 10 essential soldering tools
Monday, May 16th, 2011
Soldering is the process that most jewellers use to join pieces of metal together to form a permanent, invisible bond. Once mastered, it is one of the most satisfying jewellery techniques that you can learn. Soldering allows you to create professional, beautifully finished pieces of jewellery suitable for sale or simply for your own enjoyment.
Many people are nervous of soldering at first and choose to ‘cold fix’ their jewellery using pliers and wire. However, with a little practice and just a simple selection of inexpensive tools, soldering can become a very portable and versatile technique which can be incorporated into any workspace regardless of size.
For beginners and more advanced jewellers alike, here is a list of what should be found in your basic soldering tool kit:
1. Soldering Torch: There are torches available to suit all skill levels and to suit all types of work. For most beginners, a hand held butane torch will provide enough heat to complete most small scale jewellery jobs. For larger scale work and for silversmiths, a bigger flame will be needed for example, the Sievert Torch Kit.
2. Flux and brush: When metal is heated, a dirty oxide layer forms which, left untreated, will inhibit the flow of solder. To prevent this from happening, the pieces of metal to be joined must be cleaned. You do this firstly by degreasing using emery paper and secondly by applying flux. Flux seals the surface of the metal, creating an airtight layer, which in turn allows the solder to run. (Note: Only apply flux where you want your solder to run). A range of fluxes are available to suit all requirements but if you are unsure, start with a borax dish and cone.
3. Solder: Although strictly a material not a tool, you cannot solder without it. Most jewellers use gold or silver solders which are sold in strips or panels in Hard, Medium, Easy or Extra Easy. This relates to the melting point. Hard has the highest melting point and is what you will use most of. Solder must be clean and cut into tiny pieces as required.
4. Shears: the variety of shears existent are used to cut your solder strip into small pieces or bending sheet metal and wire into shapes.
5. Heatproof Surface: Preparation is key when soldering and ensuring you have a safe, clean area to work is essential. Most people like to create a designated soldering area using heat-resistant blocks which are usually made from charcoal, ceramic or asbestos substitute.
6. Reverse Action Tweezers: These tweezers are essential for holding and positioning work whilst soldering.
7. Precision and Plastic Tweezers: When flux is heated it bubbles and moves. Pieces of solder in turn jump and move out of position which can be immensely frustrating. Precision steel or titanium tweezers will allow you to accurately position solder and pieces of work ensuring successful soldering. Plastic or brass tweezers should be used to place and remove items from your pickle: anything containing steel will contaminate the pickle and produce copper plating all over your work.
8. Steel plate: A small steel plate or block is used after soldering is complete, to gently cool work down before cleaning.
9. Pickle: is a solution made from sulphuric acid, which is used warm or cold to remove the build up of oxide produced during soldering. Pickle should be kept in a ceramic, glass or acid proof plastic container – NEVER STEEL!
10. Brass brush or pumice powder: After cleaning, jewellery will need to be rinsed and scrubbed to remove any traces of dirt. A small brass brush or toothbrush dipped in pumice powder will reveal a clean bright surface ready for polishing.
You will notice that many of these essential tools are for the preparation and cleaning processes, not the actual soldering itself, but all are of equal importance. If you approach each stage in a measured and methodical way, you will be ensured some good results. And if, for some reason things don’t work first time, don’t be disheartened, clean your work thoroughly and start again. Remember practice makes it perfect, so why not start today?! You will be enjoying the results in no time!
What other products do you use? Do you have any soldering advice for fellow jewellers?