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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 21, 2017 11:55:13 GMT -5
Hello everyone. I have question about flux ,solder and pickle, I got some pieces of silver sheet in some stuff I picked up. Wanted to order some bezel wire and items above to try out some silver smithing. Any recommendations for a beginner . I will be ordering from the Rio. I will be using a regular plumbers like torch.just to try it out, was thinks some easy low temp silver solder. Wonder what type of flux would be best or silver solder. I also plan on using a small warmer for the pickle. Any thoughts would be appricciated. Thank you.
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Post by Pat on Aug 21, 2017 12:02:21 GMT -5
For starters, don't use the plumber's torch. Use a butane torch. Must go check on eclipse!! More later.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 21, 2017 12:07:07 GMT -5
For starters, don't use the plumber's torch. Use a butane torch. Must go check on eclipse!! More later. Thanks Pat , yes it will be butane with a standard tip. I have a few tips I will check the to see what one puts out a better flame.Thanks. Be back soon checking on the eclipse also thanks again Pat.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 21, 2017 12:19:53 GMT -5
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 21, 2017 12:21:25 GMT -5
I used a hand-held plumber's torch for a long time. works fine for smaller work. Better IMO than the little butane torches.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 21, 2017 12:27:51 GMT -5
I used a hand-held plumber's torch for a long time. works fine for smaller work. Better IMO than the little butane torches. Thanks Don,I tend to jump head first , thanks for the info. Is there a type of torch tank from Lowe's that you recommend?
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 21, 2017 12:37:25 GMT -5
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Post by Pat on Aug 21, 2017 13:26:57 GMT -5
I use a butane mini-torch, but it can handle pieces a little bigger than a quarter. Propane is hotter, so can handle bigger pieces. I see the propane torch noted by Don. I had one, gave it away. Too cumbersome for me. Sounds like you are already familiar with the plumber's torch.
What is your background in the smithing area?
Silver solder comes in easy, medium, and hard depending on the amount of zinc in it. We use medium for almost everything. After it flows, it has less zinc --- just like hard.
We use liquid flux and put it in a small spray bottle; also keep some in a small jar.
For pickle, I use a $10.00 minicrockpot from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I have both the rio pickle and swimming pool acid. Both are sodium bisulfate. Pool product much, much cheaper. Home Depot. $10.00 for a lot more product.
Do you have a jeweler's saw, shears, firebrick?
Where are you in this learning process?
Smithing is fun stuff. Enjoy and good luck!
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 21, 2017 15:58:24 GMT -5
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 21, 2017 16:04:07 GMT -5
On a side note, I ended up with about 5 boxes of remnants from the now defunct Kelso WA high school jewelry shop. After the sale I am having next weekend I'll post a list, haven't got to it yet but there's a lot of stuff.
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Post by Pat on Aug 21, 2017 18:27:32 GMT -5
Rockoonz That extension hose would make it a lot easier to handle.
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Post by Rockoonz on Aug 21, 2017 23:07:37 GMT -5
Pat it makes all the difference. I have a Smiths little torch oxy/propane unit I never use, prefer the basic propane setup.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 22, 2017 7:57:40 GMT -5
Thanks Don, do your recommend the three types of solder for different steps in the process, such as bezal, accents then bail? Because I see they have different melting temps. Thanks for the info.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 22, 2017 8:19:18 GMT -5
I use a butane mini-torch, but it can handle pieces a little bigger than a quarter. Propane is hotter, so can handle bigger pieces. I see the propane torch noted by Don. I had one, gave it away. Too cumbersome for me. Sounds like you are already familiar with the plumber's torch. What is your background in the smithing area? Silver solder comes in easy, medium, and hard depending on the amount of zinc in it. We use medium for almost everything. After it flows, it has less zinc --- just like hard. We use liquid flux and put it in a small spray bottle; also keep some in a small jar. For pickle, I use a $10.00 minicrockpot from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I have both the rio pickle and swimming pool acid. Both are sodium bisulfate. Pool product much, much cheaper. Home Depot. $10.00 for a lot more product. Do you have a jeweler's saw, shears, firebrick? Where are you in this learning process? Smithing is fun stuff. Enjoy and good luck! Thank you Pat, I have zero experience with smithing. I do have all the basic tools a small assortment of hammers, a jeweler'S saw ,fire brick ,shears and a good assortment of jeweler's files . And a couple other tools I think would be handy, As far as the learning process I have only watched countless video's, and online reading . I can sweat copper pipe in my sleep, I have been interested in silversmithing for a long time never wanted to invest in material, but now I have alot of rocks and machines to work them,and picked up tools and some silver ,so I figured its time to try it. Thank you for the info.
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Post by fantastic5 on Aug 22, 2017 8:21:18 GMT -5
accidentalrockhound, the reason for the different melting temps of solder is to let you solder more than one thing to the same piece. For instance, if you are making a pendant, you would solder the bezel to the back plate with Medium. Then to attach the bail, you would use Easy. That way the bezel doesn't come off when you are heating for the bail. I think there are plenty of skilled smiths that can get away with only one melting temp, but just starting out, you will really appreciate all three. And something I always need to remind myself, is that Hard doesn't create a stronger link. So if you only have one thing to attach, go with the Easy. You are less likely to melt the silver or get fire scale. Now, please take everything I just said with a grain of salt. I am a newbee and this is based on knowledge learned from the class I took earlier this summer.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 22, 2017 8:22:04 GMT -5
Thank you Rockoonz, going out today to get this set up, defiantly should work for me.
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Post by accidentalrockhound on Aug 22, 2017 8:53:37 GMT -5
Going to make my final decision today.I will let you all know what i order thanks for the input.
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Don
Cave Dweller
He wants you too, Malachi.
Member since December 2009
Posts: 2,616
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Post by Don on Aug 22, 2017 9:33:26 GMT -5
Thanks Don, do your recommend the three types of solder for different steps in the process, such as bezal, accents then bail? Because I see they have different melting temps. Thanks for the info. I use all 3 solders in my pieces, adhering to traditional silversmithing practices. Hard solder for the first join on any piece, for example a ring band or bezel. Medium solder on the second join, usually soldering the bezel to the backplate, and easy for the third join, usually soldering a ring band to a back plate, or a bail onto a bezel cup. There's a school of thought that uses all hard for every join, or all easy, but I think it's horseshit personally.
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Post by radio on Aug 22, 2017 20:39:52 GMT -5
Start with easy and use it until you become comfortable with soldering. No need to over think the process of solder selection at this stage. As a general rule, different temp solders come onto play when one is adding several elements to the design and multiple heatings will be required. With an average pendant or rimg, there is no need for two or more solders.
I generally use medium for everything and rarely have a need for hard or easy. Most of my designs consist of bezel, twisted wire and silver balls, then a shank or bail and I have no issues with solder.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 22, 2017 23:40:43 GMT -5
Going to make my final decision today.I will let you all know what i order thanks for the input. Ask lots of questions, aim high, jump right in. Let your muse be your guide! Personally, haven't done any smithing yet, hard to find the time right now. Received the prize slabettes from you today, liking them alot! Nice patterns, perfect size for some free form cabs. Will get some pics of them now, and after they are cabbed! (Yeah, ya got me breaking out the flat lap...) Thanks, Frank!
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