Cutting Solder

**Boo** · 05-10-2009, 06:29 PM

I have this problem too - I have some solder wire which is much easier to cut small amounts of, but when I looked through Cookson's large solder collection, I think they only do wire in easy - the one I have is easy and I use it where appropriate and I only need a tiny amount.

They also did solder powder which I wondered if that might work to use tiny amounts and pre-melt it into a blob before positioning?

**Di Sandland** · 05-10-2009, 06:31 PM

They also did solder powder which I wondered if that might work to use tiny amounts and pre-melt it into a blob before positioning?

Now that's an interesting idea. Has anybody around here used it?

**Fi Wilson** · 05-10-2009, 06:50 PM

I use power scissors to cut my solder strips up. Feels a little more natural to cut with than shears to me. See product code 999 72E on Cooksons.

Fi

**Ominicci** · 05-10-2009, 07:03 PM

I use snips (as that's how my tutor did it) but bashing/rolling it to make it thinner would help too

for asking Di !!!!

**Lisa Quinn** · 05-10-2009, 07:35 PM

I also thin it and then get a big plastic bag and spend a night snipping into it with top cutters so that the pallions don't keep flying around the room, then I keep them in separate airtight pots. I've never used shears but will definitely be giving it a go next time I run out.

**Lindyloo** · 05-10-2009, 09:10 PM

Also make sure you put your fingers on the end of it as you cut, just like you would when using snips on wire to stop it pinging across the room. That way the pieces fall downwards onto the bench. Sorry if that's too obvious.

**kymbi** · 05-10-2009, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by Lindyloo

Also make sure you put your fingers on the end of it as you cut...

....but very carefully - I had a bit of a nasty accident a couple of years ago involving a pair of new (and sharp) tin snips and a small strip of hard solder

**bustagasket** · 05-10-2009, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by kymbi

....but very carefully - I had a bit of a nasty accident a couple of years ago involving a pair of new (and sharp) tin snips and a small strip of hard solder

oh wow that doesn't sound good

**kymbi** · 05-10-2009, 09:57 PM

It wasn't too great Su - an interesting and deepish slice with lots of blood! Thank goodness my son was quite accident prone at the time so I had some paper stitches in the first aid kit.

**bustagasket** · 05-10-2009, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by kymbi

It wasn't too great Su - an interesting and deepish slice with lots of blood! Thank goodness my son was quite accident prone at the time so I had some paper stitches in the first aid kit.

glad you were able to deal with it swiftly