Iron Binding Wire problem

[theresa]

Hi - have just used some iron binding wire to hold a fine silver bezel and twice it has soldered itself to the silver.
It has never done this before so I am a bit puzzled

[Dennis]

Yes it is apt to do that, particularly if it is good and clean and gets flux on it as well.

To get it off, hold it above the block by the wire with tweezers and try to heat the wire only until it reddens. The silver will drop off with hopefully just a small groove to file away.

Stainless steel wire is marginally better for this as it does not solder on so easily, but the real remedy is to keep the wire away from any solder. If necessary make a bridge, as below. Dennis.

[theresa]

Thanks Dennis - you are a mine of information, where would we be without you?

[CJ57]

Sometimes if it does this, I've found that even though it looks as if it's well soldered it does pull away if you do it in the direction of the wire leaving the solder to be cleaned off