Do you solder your chainmaille?

Hey all,

I guess the title says it all. Do you solder your chainmaille? By that i mean each and every ring is soldered closed.

Thanks

Arthren

.......no ;)

I very rarely solder every join - but do often close large rings permanently - especially if they're in smaller wire gauges.

I know one person here who does solder every join, but has the benefit of a water torch for doing so!

Maille created from rings of the correct AR should never need to be soldered though.

in a word no

I do, I like to solder them all!

I must be mad, but the water torch makes light work of them, without it I would give it a miss and just do some.

Do you actually solder them or just fuse them? With really tight weaves how on earth do you get the solder in there!

I admire your patience and thoroughness - no, let's be honest, I think you've lost your rabbit pants! :D

Thanks for the replies,

I've not soldered any of my chainmaille so far. Although I've been asked by people if its soldered or not. My ring closures are usually so tight that they're hardly visible. As MizGeorge stated usually maille done in the correct AR should be fine.

I've considered soldering, but I felt that this could drive my eccentric side into more of an insanity lol.

I am intrested in how you go about soldering your maille WitchfordSilver, do you solder it as you build the chain or is it soldered after you have built the chain? I am also very intrested in this water torch, I've done some research into HHO generators with a view to trying to build a small soldering device. My little handheld creme broulee torch isn't too great and since I do all my silver work at home I am worried about having big gas bottles at home. If I could bother you for a few pics of the soldered chain and perhaps a pic or 2 of the water torch, that would be great :D

Thanks again for the replies :)

Arthren

Sorry made a double post, the forum or my web seems to be running slow.


Arthren

I solder them all, well I have to admit it was my bosses want it took bloomin weeks, looked great in the end though it was 6' long but only 3" wide finished with Pearls at the end!

I solder lots of rings at one go then use the remaining ones to form the chain as I go. The water torch helps due to the very small very hot flame. I'll try and post a few pictures asap. the water torch is just like the one that was in cookies last cat.

I use solder past and a pick to place small amounts on the joint, the ring held in a third hand.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by WitchfordSilver

I do, I like to solder them all!

I must be mad, but the water torch makes light work of them, without it I would give it a miss and just do some.

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Hi Neil,

I have a Microflame 60 and use it mostly for my chainmaille, not everything is soldered but the weak points most definately are. Having said that I am more and more moving towards soldering everything like yourself. I have to admit though that the Jens Pind weave is a challange to solder when using 0.8 round wire.

Hi frances,

What do you use in the bubbler? i currenty use MEK, but are looking to moving over to a flux based mix. A nice green flame will make it easer to see!

Hi Neil,

I too use MEK but considering moving over to Acetone to reduce the flame temp a bit more. I mostly use flame tips 18,19 &20 hence the microflame 60. Tell me more about this flux based mix you mention, I haven't heard of that?

Frances

Hi Frances, see below. I think that you need to have a torch without the flashback bit (Blue handle).

I might get some to try out, i'll just unscrew my torch and remove the bits inside so they don't gum up. then put them back in if, i don't like it.

Description
elma flux is a liquid, ready-for-use flux based on methanol for soldering using
hydrogen flame, acts deoxidizing and makes the flame visible by green colour.