solderiing 3 posts at once

Hi everyone,

I'm making a triangular cage and have hit a potential challenge. I'd really appreciate any tips/guidance please.

The triangle in the photo has some medium solder in it (I know it shouldn't but it's a long story!). I want to solder the 3 posts onto each point so my questions are:

1/ can i use easy solder on these and then extra easy when I'm fixing this triangle to the top triangle? I will also be soldering two tube set stones onto two external sides of the triangular cage which is also causing me to headscratch.
2/ how do I prevent the posts from toppling or moving with the flux when soldering?
3/ is there a way of soldering all 3 at the same time?

Thanks so much
Emmy

Attachment 12329

1 I would use medium solder to attach the posts, they are over already soldered joints it should not be a problem. I would solder the bottom triangle, then the top, diligent use of the torch is the key, heat only where is is needed
2 Many options if you have steady hands just hold in place with solder pick, use a small heat resistant weight placed on top top, spring loaded tweezers, forceps, anything that will hold them.
3 Yes but it would be fiddly I would solder the triangles then fit the posts between them and solder the posts.
Re the tube set stones, depending on the stone, the bezels will need to be soldered on to the side before the stones are set, most stones will not survive the soldering process.
Hope this helps, if I have not explained well enough feel free to question

I use home shaped titanium soldering clamps to hold wires etc in place when soldering, like these ones.
Attachment 12330 Attachment 12331 Attachment 12332

Titanium strips available from Cooksons, see;https://www.cooksongold.com/Jeweller...rcode-997-3318

James

I would certainly not be in a hurry to use low melting solder for this. There' a lot of construction still to come, which can easily be done using the same solder at lest twice before changing down.

To ensure the posts stay in place, I would lay a small piece of fluxed copper sheet on top. That will steady them and only draw of a little of the heat.

I would also avoid borax and use Auflux/Auroflux, which does not froth and expand when heated. Dennis.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Goldsmith

I use home shaped titanium soldering clamps to hold wires etc in place when soldering, like these ones.
Attachment 12330 Attachment 12331 Attachment 12332

Titanium strips available from Cooksons, see;https://www.cooksongold.com/Jeweller...rcode-997-3318

James

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I'm so impressed by the shape of your clamps Jim. Perfection

I can vouch for their effectiveness, but the pain is that they come as blank strips and you have to make them up yourself. Even if you buy a pack of strips from Cookson, it is will most likely add to the backlog of your to do list.
They would go like hot cakes as an assortment ready made. Dennis.

[QUOTE=Dennis;107025]I can vouch for their effectiveness, but the pain is that they come as blank strips and you have to make them up yourself. Even if you buy a pack of strips from Cookson, it is will most likely add to the backlog of your to do list.
They would go like hot cakes as an assortment ready made. Dennis.[/QUOT
I agree Dennis. I’ve had mine a couple of years now unopened. I was having a problem sweat soldering the other night and binding wire wasn’t doing it so I opened the packet but could not work out how best to shape them to something like those so they went back in the packet

While it would be a great idea to buy them ready made, most would not want to pay the extra cost, new concepts have a photo of suggested configurations also a welders third hand, made in a appropriate size is very handy

I thought that we were all metalworkers, shaping these clamps only takes a few minutes using round nose and flat pliers. I have posted photo sheets before showing how I make them but here is some of my photos that may be of use, please ask if you want more info.
Attachment 12335 Attachment 12336 Attachment 12337 Attachment 12338


James

I second that James, myself I have no problems making them, I have a few blanks as spare to use if I need something different. I made my "welders " third hand from stuff I had laying around, long before it became popular for Jewellers to use them

'I thought that we were all metalworkers'

True James, but some of us are overburdened with daily chores and don't have juniors to take them on for us. Good to see you back here, Dennis.

Ditto Theresa.
Nick

I wanted to ditto Theresa's comment.
And thanks again Goldsmith.Very useful.
Dennis- hmmm... I know what you mean.
I must make more of an effort . I'm always looking for solutions to problematic, to me, soldering.
Nick

Hi Dennis, I do read this forum everyday, but most of the time the themes are not of interest for me to comment on. These titanium soldering clamps strips that Knew Concepts sell around the world were my idea originally and most of the ready made clamp shape photos that are used by sellers are my photos.
Over the years I have cut and shaped many different shaped soldering clamps to suit certain jobs, originally I made them from stainless steel sheet but the titanium ones are far superior.
This was the only credit I got on the knew concepts website.
Attachment 12339

James

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Goldsmith

I thought that we were all metalworkers, shaping these clamps only takes a few minutes using round nose and flat pliers. I have posted photo sheets before showing how I make them but here is some of my photos that may be of use, please ask if you want more info.
Attachment 12335 Attachment 12336 Attachment 12337 Attachment 12338


James

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Yes all metalsmiths but sometimes it’s the easy stuff which challenges you at 2am and you want an easy solution

Sorry to go on about soldering clamps, but I think it's worthwhile spending some time making them.

Someone asked me about a clamp that would hold single claw settings in place on a bracelet and I suggested this shaped clamp,
Attachment 12342

I also did a test run making these 4 standard clamps for a job
Attachment 12343


James

I'm just about to order some of those clamps James, as I've got a new project on the go. Are there any specific tips I need to be aware of when milling the strips? Also I notice you use an '0' sawblade. I've got some Platinum King 2/0 sawblades; could I use these?

Many thanks

Hi Jules, the titanium strips mill down down OK, I only thin down the ones that I want for tiny jobs, the strips as sold are about 1.3mm. thick and I just mill them down to circa 1mm. thick. They will pierce OK with 2/0 blades, it just may take a little longer. I have now sold my rolling mills so I make do with the standard strip thickness and just file the points of the clamps thinner which works OK for me, as it's the clamp points that do the work of holding while soldering.

This is a standard 1.3mm. thickness clamp with filed down points.

Attachment 12344

Good luck,
James

Many thanks for your tips James, its now in my basket.

Sorry for the long delay in thanking you all. I wanted to see how I got on before I came back. Based on your advice I got the courage to plough on and, whilst it's not perfect, I'm so pleased with the result. It's only the third thing I've made and has made use of a piece of lava stone my daughter brought back from Iceland so it will mean a lot as I wear it as a pendant. First time tube setting too so let's see how long those CZ's stay in place!

Who knew I'd also get a mine of information about clamps too :)

Thanks to everyone
Emmy

Attachment 12345

Really love that design Emmy, looks like you did a beautiful job.

If that is only your third item, I think you are well into it, I've seen much less quality produced from far more experience

You've done brilliantly, great design too.

That's a lovely pendant Emmy, well done you!!

The titanium clamps look great although I haven't tried them. I have always used split pins, also known as cotter pins which can be shaped in much the same way as the titanium clamps. They come in may different sizes so have may different applications.Attachment 12351

Another method, however they would lack the tension found in the titanium