Help! With Soldering.

[abyjem]

I am really a novice compared to most on this thread. When I first started soldering I found the paste easiest to work with because it seemed to melt so much easier and quicker and didnt jump about like paillons. However, just lately I have been leaning towards easy solid solder with borax and am finding it actually seems to work better for me. It tends to flow better, especially when soldering bezel wire onto backing plate. It just seems to draw through the joint better.

I still use the easy paste for some jobs but I dont really like the medium paste.
I've yet to try medium or hard strip solder but must do so soon.

I didnt realise just how small the paillons need to be to work well. Too thick and they dont melt properly -

[Joe]

Ah, you should try the hard solder... soooo liquidy!

Hey, anyone up for contributing to a jewellery wiki-pedia? I'm up for doing the web stuff if you experts will do the articles...?

[Kwant]

I have been using medium strip and easy paste for all that I do. After reading this thread I ordered some hard strip, which came today and just tried it out. It is very hard to snip but the results are excellent and in the words of Joe "soooo liquidy!" I have a feeling this will now be my solder of choice as much as possible. Thank you for this thread.

[Joe]

On Dennis' recommendation some time ago, I bought these. They are absolutely brilliant!

[abyjem]

they look ideal - cutting the damn stuff is a nightmare - I lose more than half of it ! its all over the spare room floor - lol

[caroleallen]

I use Maun side cutters to cut my solder strip. I find it dead easy - I rest my finger over the top so the pallion doesn't ping off. And I don't like medium either.

[Moon Willow]

I know I'm a few months behind here but better late than never.

I encourage my students to put the solder strips through a rolling mill to reach a thickness of .3 mm this will enable you to cut the solder with ease and thinner solder runs more quickly.

I tend to solder everything with hard solder, when soldering joints using easy (along with easy flux powder) you might find it okay untill you try to polish, you'll find the solder gets sucked out of the joint all to easily because it is far too soft.

Carlton

[Dennis]

Thank you Carlton,

This question comes up about once a month from new members and when I spot it, I post a link to these pages, so you will now be included. Yor cheery interventions from a professional are much appreciated. Dennis.

[Moon Willow]

Thanks Dennis, I try to do my bit as I stumble along life's stoney path and I know how the up and coming jewellers struggle with the flame, you could write a book on it !!

Carlton

[ps_bond]

I encourage my students to put the solder strips through a rolling mill to reach a thickness of .3 mm this will enable you to cut the solder with ease and thinner solder runs more quickly.

I'm in the same camp on that - I roll my solder fairly thin, then use snips to cut it (and it doesn't ping everywhere). Similarly, I usually stick to just hard solder - if I'm careful with the heat, I can keep just the area I'm working on at the solder melting point (although using one of the smaller nozzles for the Sievert is handy).