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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 18, 2014 9:04:49 GMT -5
I ordered some firescoff from rio to try it out. Has anyone here used it? I have been using handyflux, but I am having some problems with a stain/firescale or whatever it is with some more complicated pieces. If firescoff works as claimed, it will be a miracle product.
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 18, 2014 9:17:04 GMT -5
I have had some luck with Prix flux
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 18, 2014 9:54:31 GMT -5
Yes, I have that, too. Haven't tried it, yet because I wanted to get some fine mist spray bottles - which I have ordered. I'm going to try both and see what works best.
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Post by Pat on Mar 18, 2014 13:37:55 GMT -5
Do you know why you are getting so much firescale?
I rarely get it, but think that it could be incorporated as a design element in some cases.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 18, 2014 13:55:56 GMT -5
Do you know why you are getting so much firescale? I rarely get it, but think that it could be incorporated as a design element in some cases. Actually, I don't know if it is firescale. I deliberately made some firescale and compared to what I was getting and it's not the same. But, someone saw it and said it was. I dunno. I would think, if it is firescale, it is because I have been doing pieces with lots of joins and I presume I must be overheating it- though I have my doubts. I use lots of handyflux and get a nice glass coat. I didn't think I was using too much heat, but maybe I am. At any rate- I want to try these things and see if they work better than handyflux- I really don't like handyflux. It's messy.  I had assumed that these shadows after pickle were fine silver. But, when polished it looks terrible. Needs sanding. |
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Post by deb193redux on Mar 18, 2014 19:33:51 GMT -5
don't think firescale. almost has a flow to it.
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Post by radio on Mar 18, 2014 20:42:33 GMT -5
Just a guess here, but I bet it is the exact size and shape of the "glass coat" you mentioned you get from your flux. yes, no?
I have seen folks use a LOT of flux which protected the fluxed area from firescale, but all the surrounding area had firescale. Hard to tell in a pic, but perhaps that is what happened here?
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Post by bobby1 on Mar 20, 2014 10:11:58 GMT -5
From what I've heard Firescoff is quite expensive and is marginally effective. I mix the flux (Handi Flux, for example) in a baby food jar with water until it is the consistency of a light cream. I then brush it over all the surface being heated and it is quite effective in eliminating firescale. I cut a small paint brush handle short enough that I can leave it inside the baby food jar. Before I use it I just shake the jar to mix it up.
If you start heating the metal coated with the flux and the flux starts moving about and puddles in small areas and leaves some areas without flux it means that the metal wasn't clean before you started the soldering process. Stop and clean it before proceeding.
If you keep reheating the piece while trying to get the solder to flow and the flux turns dark red it has reached a condition called flux exhaustion. This means that the flux has absorbed all the copper oxide that it can and it becomes ineffective. Stop heating and pickle the piece to remove the depleted flux. Clean the piece thoroughly, reflux it and continue soldering.
Bob
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RickN
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 85
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Post by RickN on Mar 20, 2014 11:34:22 GMT -5
I don't think is is fire stain (firescale is where the metal actually flakes usually in welding iron or steel). It looks like where the flux has flowed.Fire stain is a grey blotch on the sterling where the copper has oxidized. A good coat or two of some type of fire coat usually protects from that.
RickN
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Post by Pat on Mar 20, 2014 12:56:10 GMT -5
Stab- in -the- dark guessing here: could it be solder than flowed to the outside the bezel?
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 20, 2014 15:59:39 GMT -5
Great responses!!! Pat No, I don't think it is solder, but I have wondered that, too. Like maybe it flowed out and contracted. The problem with that is that with that tiny setting I used a tiny piece of solder. I'm sure there wasn't enough to make that mess. radio When I flux, I flux everything, so the coating was all over the piece. I don't think I use too much I have seen lots of videos and I don't use more than anyone else I see. bobby1 Great post. I try to keep these things in mind. Since I am new, I get crazy abt everything being clean. In fact, when a piece isn't in pickle, I leave it sit in water to keep it clean and oxidize free. I, also, use small amounts of handyflux at a time and mix it in an empty medicine bottle. I use it like thick cream. On my next piece, I'll keep a close eye out for what is happening and maybe I can get son to do video to catch it. I can't be the only person with this happening... Can I? I'll figure it out... probably. |
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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 Mar 20, 2014 16:19:56 GMT -5
I'm having a similar issue with firescale. I bought stop-ox II from rio but I'm not sure how to use it in conjunction with my flux. I'll keep playing with it and see. I'm sure it's because I'm spending too long on the piece with the torch.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 20, 2014 16:45:26 GMT -5
I'm having a similar issue with firescale. I bought stop-ox II from rio but I'm not sure how to use it in conjunction with my flux. I'll keep playing with it and see. I'm sure it's because I'm spending too long on the piece with the torch. Does yours look like the stuff in my picture? Rio is pretty good abt posting vids for there stuff. Sometimes they are hard to find. Try looking on youtube for it. You'll probably get answers there. |
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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 Mar 20, 2014 16:55:27 GMT -5
I'll take pics next time I see it on a piece I'm working so we can compare notes.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 20, 2014 17:44:31 GMT -5
I'll take pics next time I see it on a piece I'm working so we can compare notes. Yes, that will be great! I'd love to know what I have going on. |
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Post by Pat on Mar 20, 2014 18:31:49 GMT -5
I was thinking it might be solder because I see it surrounding the bezels only.
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Post by rockjunquie on Mar 20, 2014 18:54:32 GMT -5
I was thinking it might be solder because I see it surrounding the bezels only. Yes, it is almost always right around the bezel. It's like a shadow. That's why I was thinking solder, too. Do you know if solder can flow out like that and then contract? If it is solder, it is a very, very thin layer. |
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RickN
noticing nice landscape pebbles
Member since November 2011
Posts: 85
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Post by RickN on Mar 25, 2014 20:33:32 GMT -5
I still believe it is where the flux flowed when the solder melted. You are not getting the whole piece up to that temperature close but not quite that is why you are not seeing it all over. Take some scraps and try soldering without flux and see what happens.
RickN
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Post by Pat on Mar 25, 2014 20:37:44 GMT -5
Can you run some tests on scrap silver? Check out the flux ideas and the solder ideas. Good luck!
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Post by Tony W on Mar 25, 2014 20:44:50 GMT -5
I have some FireScoff but quit using it. Didn't think it helped much. I've gotten to where I just leave 'em in pickle a day, or two, then throw the piece in a vibe with steel shot and burnishing compound, and they clean up well. Then to a buff wheel for an extra polish. Apparently I'm pretty good at doing everything wrong though, lol.
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X - Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's rocks
- O Henry