Borax as a flux

[lucy81]

I know cooksons and other suppliers sell borax cones, but I'm waiting for an order (including a Borax cone).

I've hunted for Borax in chemists, DIY shops etc, yet nobody seems to know what it is I'm talking about.

However, there has been a change recently (some EU directive) so they've classed it as hazardous(?), which is probably why it's so hard to get hold of now.

I've managed to buy Borax substitute (by Dri-Pak), but I'm wondering if it's still acceptable for use as a flux (I don't understand the chemical differences)? Otherwise, I'll save it for cleaning


Opinions appreciated!

[Solunar Silver Studio]

Hi Lucy...I can't help you with whether borax substitute can be used for a flux - but I have been googling! Apparently you can still get borax from Chinese supermarkets and grocers!! ( don't ask me!!) Obviously it won't be a cone but I don't think that is a problem.... You need a chemist to be able to tell you about the borax subsitute...I know borax is sodium tetraborate decahydrate ( we used to use it as a subsitute expletive in the chemi lab I worked in many years ago!!) but I don't know what the borax subsitiute is or how either of them work (or not) as a flux!!

[ben b]

you'd just have to try it and see! Then you can let us all know lol..
I reckon there are better alternatives to borax as a flux, such as the green liquid 'auflux' and specialist silver ones cooksons do.

I really only use borax for coating from firestain, or for adding to melts to help it melt. Interestingly, when using it to coat and prevent firestain, or help prevent heat damaging stones (note, i say 'help' !!) i was taught to mix it with meths, dip item in, and flame off, rather than a vid i saw uploaded here, where its just painted on from a cone with water.

I did do some work part time in a workshop that had its own equipment, and they used a borax cone and water and brush, as a method of fluxing, so i had to use this while there, so, from experience, I can tell you, there are easier, and better alternatives.

I needed some sulphuric acid a while ago, and didnt want to go to the jewellery quarter, but found a chemists supplier, on an industrial estate right near me. They were happy to sell it me, only, they had to deliver it to a chemist in town, who they supply almost daily. They were really helpful, and foned and checked. The chemist said no! This was despite knowing a woman who's worked in the chemist years and can verify im a bonafide jeweller!

[lucy81]

I haven't done any soldering since I was at college. We used Borax cones then. But if there's better products, maybe I should just forget the Borax and try something new?
Think I'm going to experiment at some point, as I'm becoming impatient!

[Emerald]

Hi Lucy you can still get borax cones cooksons sell it but the auflux is very good to x

[ben b]

strictly speaking, auflux is marketed as a gold soldering flux, and is very liquid. I use it second nature, but from feedback on the forum, silver workers (rather than general jobbers, working in both gold and silver) find it unusual at first, comming from borax. You do flame it off, so it crystalises in a similar way, to hold the solder to the object, though it is a little more inclined to bubble up, or the pallion blow away from the flames force...but its soon got used to.
There are, as well, a few specific silver fluxes cooksons do, but i have never needed to try them, as a general gold/silver smith....but dedicated silver workers will have thier favorites

[jetlag]

Newbie question (our tutor says how to do things, not why we're doing them): what exactly does flux do? Is it just to help the solder flow?

[Lindyloo]

Yes, that's right. Without it, I think it would just form a ball.

[Emerald]

Yes, that's right. Without it, I think it would just form a ball.

More often than not it doesent do anything but glow if no flux is used, the flux cleans or removes the oxide ready for soldering and wetting it allows the solder to run

[jetlag]

Thanks

So is Borax really that old fashioned? It's what we use in class, but if there is an easier way...