Solder Paste HELPPPPPPPPPP

**bustagasket** · 21-08-2009, 11:54 AM

Ok i bought some solder paste cos you guys raved about it and i knew i had a lot of jump rings to solder so i have just tried it but i must be doing something very wrong cos it doesnt seem to run into the join it just stays in the glob that was put on there.

Could someone please tell me what i am not doing, i made sure the joinft was clean and dry and the applied the paste, and then evenly heated up the jump ring. So what bit did i do wrong, cos i now got some filing to do lol and this is on my little bracelet with the double links and i wanted to get on today

**MuranoSilver** · 21-08-2009, 11:54 AM

It does flow eventually - honest

**julie** · 21-08-2009, 11:56 AM

sorry can't help you but someone will be along shortly to give advice ...

**bustagasket** · 21-08-2009, 11:57 AM

lol i am terrified of keeping the heat on too long and the jump rings shivelling does it normally take several minutes before it moves? and i do mean several lol and should i use the tip of the blue flame waving back oand forth or a soft orange flame?

**The Bijou Dragon** · 21-08-2009, 11:59 AM

I honestly find that the tip of the blue flame about 1cm in front (into the orange bit) usually works best for me

Sometimes my stuff looks like it's on the verge of melting as well, maybe you just didn't heat it enough perhaps?

I'm scared of melting stuff too so I know how you feel!

**bustagasket** · 21-08-2009, 12:00 PM

ok i will go and heat it again

thanks

**mizgeorge** · 21-08-2009, 12:54 PM

sounds like you're not getting nearly hot enough. Depending on your torch, the hottest spot is usually just after the tip of the blue cone. In terms of how long, I reckon on soldering jump rings made with 0.8mm wire and medium or easy solder in a matter of seconds - no more than five (and as little as two) depending on which torch I'm using and how careful I'm being.

**caroleallen** · 21-08-2009, 12:57 PM

Yeah, don't be a scaredy cat. Get it nice and hot. You'll soon get the hang of it and if you melt a couple, it won't be the end of the world. Good luck.

**bustagasket** · 21-08-2009, 01:12 PM

lol i am resorting back to the old fashioned method for the rest of this bracelet and then i will practice on some scraps. I even find it hard to make the paste actually sit on the join it prefers being attached to the syringe rather than sitting on the link!!!

**julie** · 21-08-2009, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by bustagasket

lol i am resorting back to the old fashioned method for the rest of this bracelet and then i will practice on some scraps. I even find it hard to make the paste actually sit on the join it prefers being attached to the syringe rather than sitting on the link!!!

i've never used paste do you still have to flux ???