Using Silver solder paste

**jools02** · 26-10-2009, 04:23 PM

Hi everyone, being a newbie and clueless (as usual) I would like to make life easier for myself. I usually solder using borax and a solder strip. However, is using paste a lot easier? If so, how do you do it. The only things I need to solder are cufflink fittings to the fronts. Do you just paint the paste onto the fitting, line it up and then heat it with a blow torch? How do you know when you're done?

**AlexandraBuckle** · 26-10-2009, 05:51 PM

sorry no one has replied yet...
but I'm afraid i'm no soldering expert...
there must be someone who can help.... anyone...?

**amazingbabe** · 26-10-2009, 06:47 PM

I find solder paste much easier to work with anyway,,, for cufflinks you just put some on and you will see it flow, you will just get like a flash of silver and then immediately remove the heat. Hope this helps

**Jayne** · 26-10-2009, 06:54 PM

Okay, I'm no soldering expert but I do use paste solder, so here it goes. I use it in probably the same volume & position as strip solder, no flux, heat it in the same way as strip solder and, like strip solder, you know when it's flowed because it goes silvery. Oh, & I wouldn't try squeezing it straight onto the joint - I usually squeeze a bit out first & then place it gently on the joint (weak girly muscles lol).
J x

**bustagasket** · 26-10-2009, 06:54 PM

i am quite new to paste myself but have found it great for small jobs just like Gayle says

**caroleallen** · 26-10-2009, 07:56 PM

I don't use it for everything but I must admit I'm using it more and more for awkward solders. I don't use the syringe needle though. I squeeze a bit out and use a pin to place the paste where I need it. Heat the piece in the normal way and you'll see the flash as the solder runs.

**jools02** · 27-10-2009, 08:32 AM

Great, thanks everybody, looks like I'll be giving it a go then. One question, do I heat up the whole piece with a blow torch until it glows red as I would normally or just concentrate on the join?

**Jayne** · 27-10-2009, 08:54 AM

I would heat the whole piece, as with normal solder.
J x

**glen** · 28-10-2009, 03:26 PM

if yr whole piece is going red when you solder you may be overheating. Solder works at a much lower temp than the metal and if solder is over heated then it will become brittle and porous among other things. Maybe use a easy solder that melts at lower temp.

**lucy81** · 07-11-2009, 02:43 PM

i'm fairly new to using solder paste but find it much easier than using cut solder pieces. just put a tiny bit on a cocktail stick, and wipe it on the inside of the joint and heat up!