Argotect. Does it work?

[Lulu]

Hi!
I've been making silver jewellery for a long time, but at the moment I am making some large plain silver pendants and having real problems with firestain showing up!! :(| I have thought about trying Argotect before but haven't been sure about it, but I might give it a try now! Has anyone else used it or have any tips about preventing firestain in general?

[bustagasket]

The experts willl wake up soon to help you :)

[ps_bond]

Yes, it works. I don't use it all the time, but it is handy to have around. I also use FM solution, which is similar to Prips flux.

[Lulu]

Thank you for your responses everyone! :~: I think I will give it a try. I haven't noticed firestain too much before as other pieces I've made have been a bit more detailed or textured, and maybe if firestain was there it didn't show up. But now on a large plain silver piece it's really obvious! What is FM solution? I've read about Pripps flux but wouldn't know where I would buy the 'ingredients' to make it.

[ps_bond]

FM and Prips are very similar in makeup - http://www.ganoksin.com/orchid/archive/200607/msg00079.htm

Rose Chemicals in the UK were happy to supply me with what I needed for my last batch.

[Rob Taylor]

For the future have you considered using Argentium silver? It's firestain resistance (and tarnish resistance) is very good.

[mizgeorge]

I use argotect occasionally, but still prefer to pickle and polish. But I rather enjoy polishing.

[Lulu]

Rose Chemicals in the UK were happy to supply me with what I needed for my last batch.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for that! While I'm on the subject of flux - a jobbing jeweller friend once gave me a solution he'd made up that he used when doing repairs. So if he was repairing a highly polished chain, for example, he would dip the item in this solution and the polish would be retained during soldering so he wouldn't need to keep re-polishing items. I might be completely wrong!! But I'm sure it was made from boric acid or borax or rouge powder in methylated spirits or something? Can anyone 'enlighten' me?!

[Lulu]

For the future have you considered using Argentium silver? It's firestain resistance (and tarnish resistance) is very good.

Yes, I might try that, but at the moment I am using some large heart shaped castings and I'm seeing firestain appear when I'm doing soldering work on those. Do some of the casting houses use Argentium silver?

[ps_bond]

But I'm sure it was made from boric acid or borax or rouge powder in methylated spirits or something? Can anyone 'enlighten' me?!

Boric acid in meths. Another classic. Make up a saturated solution of boric acid in meths, dip and then burn off the meths. Endless possibilities for excitement having the meths too close to the torch... :D

[ps_bond]

Rouge in meths will give you a solder inhibitor too - paint it on areas where you don't want the solder flowing. So will yellow ochre powder - water colour works too; Tippex (but it's more obnoxious to remove); graphite - pencil or powder (mixed to a paste again)...

[bustagasket]

I had forgotten about rouge, I have actually seen someone rouge their balls after soldering then continue soldering other parts so their balls didn't drop off.

That sounds very painful!!![-X:camera::eek:0:-)

[Lulu]

Sounds great Peter, will have to try that, although I will keep the torch well away from the solution, don't want to burn the house to the ground.

Does anyone know if you can still buy things like boric acid at the chemist?

Thanks for all the tips! They don't teach you these things at jewellery school!! I was told that you could get boric acid from Boots.

[ps_bond]

Jewellery school? It depends on the school, I guess.

Not sure about Boots - borax I'm pretty sure they still carry, less certain about boric acid. EBay has a few suppliers though.

[Di Sandland]

I had forgotten about rouge, I have actually seen someone rouge their balls after soldering then continue soldering other parts so their balls didn't drop off.

Jay thank you - I haven't laughed like that for months and months and months :X

[Rob Taylor]

Yes, I might try that, but at the moment I am using some large heart shaped castings and I'm seeing firestain appear when I'm doing soldering work on those. Do some of the casting houses use Argentium silver?
Several UK and EC casters have just started using Argentium, it is far more common in the US.

[Solunar Silver Studio]

:)))Quote:
Originally Posted by JasonJohn View Post
I had forgotten about rouge, I have actually seen someone rouge their balls after soldering then continue soldering other parts so their balls didn't drop off.

Moon Cottage
Jay thank you - I haven't laughed like that for months and months and months :)))

Surely this has to be the best post ever written in all seriousness!! I think this new smilie will fit in here!!:wwopics::rofl:

[Lulu]

I've got some Argotect now - arrived this morning. It looks a bit scary!!
:eek:
With all of the warnings on it etc. Is it best used with meths or water?:confused: