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Post by nowyo on Dec 13, 2018 16:57:19 GMT -5
Finally got going in my new Stupid Room. Made some of these a few years ago, don't believe I ever posted pictures, gave them all away. Trying to get the feel back. Lost/misplaced my old patterns, these are a little off so I'll need to do some adjusting. Also made a couple of these. Made some a few years ago, some of you were unlucky enough to see them. Have a couple more in progress. The bases still need to be finished, that will be tomorrow's project.
Thanks for looking. Have a great day.
Russ
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Post by MsAli on Dec 13, 2018 17:18:27 GMT -5
Russ are you using copper tape for them?
Im trying to learn how to solder with copper tape and suck at it big time!
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Post by MsAli on Dec 13, 2018 17:18:50 GMT -5
BTW I really like those stars
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Post by pauls on Dec 13, 2018 18:08:32 GMT -5
Russ are you using copper tape for them? Im trying to learn how to solder with copper tape and suck at it big time! The secret Ali is to clean everything back to bare shiny metal just before you solder, thats it. Use flux to stop it oxidising as you heat it. If you mess up don't waste time continuing, stop, unsolder anything that is stuck and then clean it again by scraping with a knife or box cutter then wet and dry paper or emery apply flux and try again.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 13, 2018 18:39:53 GMT -5
Like both the stars and the votives. Have to admit I never thought of using slabs for that. Great idea and I'll have to try it. Have all the stained glass equipment already, just need to make sure the soldering irons still work.
@alikat - Like Russ said, make sure everything is super clean before you apply the copper foil. Then make sure you burnish it down really good with a fid or anything you can use to burnish it. Make sure you use flux and then apply the solder with your soldering iron. After it's all done, make sure you scrub the hell out of it with a scrub brush and soap (I always used Dawn). The flux is really oily and you need to clean it off really good.
ETA - It helps to tin the pieces first (thin layer of solder) and then go back and make your nice bead seams.
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Post by rockjunquie on Dec 13, 2018 19:03:20 GMT -5
I love those! I think the stars look great as they are. Love the moss.
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Post by MsAli on Dec 13, 2018 19:39:26 GMT -5
paul's and @hummimgbirdstones Thank you for the tips. I got really frustrated with it so I gave up. I'll try again
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Post by nowyo on Dec 13, 2018 19:51:35 GMT -5
Thanks everybody. Ali, they already covered it pretty well. Cleaning is the big thing, even the oil from your fingers can be enough to keep the solder from working. Using the proper flux, as well, I've seen people try to use the flux from the plumbing department at th hardware store and have issues. It does take a pretty decent soldering iron as well. For cleaning up afterwards I use a little Dawn in some water and a cheap toothbrush. I'm still trying to figure it out, may get it one of these days.
Russ
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Post by toiv0 on Dec 13, 2018 20:06:15 GMT -5
I think if relabel my shop the stupid shop room I will try these also. They're pretty cool.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Dec 13, 2018 20:31:52 GMT -5
paul 's and @hummimgbirdstones Thank you for the tips. I got really frustrated with it so I gave up. I'll try again You did not tag the person you thought you tagged. pauls
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Post by vegasjames on Dec 13, 2018 21:16:41 GMT -5
Very nice.
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Post by MsAli on Dec 13, 2018 22:59:14 GMT -5
paul 's and @hummimgbirdstones Thank you for the tips. I got really frustrated with it so I gave up. I'll try again You did not tag the person you thought you tagged. pauls Thank you
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Post by MsAli on Dec 13, 2018 23:00:48 GMT -5
Thanks everybody. Ali, they already covered it pretty well. Cleaning is the big thing, even the oil from your fingers can be enough to keep the solder from working. Using the proper flux, as well, I've seen people try to use the flux from the plumbing department at th hardware store and have issues. It does take a pretty decent soldering iron as well. For cleaning up afterwards I use a little Dawn in some water and a cheap toothbrush. I'm still trying to figure it out, may get it one of these days. Russ Thank you! I got myself a pretty cheap soldering iron so that could be part of my problem. The flux I got is a paste. Not sure I like it I need to play with it some more
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 13, 2018 23:32:22 GMT -5
Make sure you use a flux for copper foil. This is what I used to use. I would need to buy some and probably some new foil. It's been sitting for years now and probably isn't good anymore.
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,687
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Post by NRG on Dec 13, 2018 23:52:57 GMT -5
Russ are you using copper tape for them? Im trying to learn how to solder with copper tape and suck at it big time! Get the highest wattage iron you can.
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Post by fernwood on Dec 14, 2018 3:46:58 GMT -5
Nice creations. Really like the votives.
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Post by pauls on Dec 17, 2018 15:09:55 GMT -5
Make sure you use a flux for copper foil. This is what I used to use. I would need to buy some and probably some new foil. It's been sitting for years now and probably isn't good anymore. It shouldn't go off, Most flux for copper is just Hydrochloric acid (spirits of salts) or what the old timers called killed spirits, Hydrochloric acid with zinc dissolved in it. I'm not sure what the pastes are, probably more acid in some sort of gooey greasy base. Thats the reason you need to wash in soap, to neutralise the acid, leave it on and it keeps reacting with the metal. Best to use the stuff in a well ventilated place too, clean your tools well after use because they will all go rusty from the fumes, even the ones hanging on your shadow boards.
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Post by drocknut on Dec 17, 2018 19:25:11 GMT -5
Those are all way cool. I especially like the votive holders. I think you showed me something like them when we met up in McDermitt a few years back. If you make any to sell I'd be interested. I don't have the room or equipment to make anything like that right now.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Dec 17, 2018 19:48:18 GMT -5
Make sure you use a flux for copper foil. This is what I used to use. I would need to buy some and probably some new foil. It's been sitting for years now and probably isn't good anymore. It shouldn't go off, Most flux for copper is just Hydrochloric acid (spirits of salts) or what the old timers called killed spirits, Hydrochloric acid with zinc dissolved in it. I'm not sure what the pastes are, probably more acid in some sort of gooey greasy base. Thats the reason you need to wash in soap, to neutralise the acid, leave it on and it keeps reacting with the metal. Best to use the stuff in a well ventilated place too, clean your tools well after use because they will all go rusty from the fumes, even the ones hanging on your shadow boards. I was actually referring to the copper foil going bad.
I tossed the flux when I moved from Chicago to Arizona 9 years ago. Didn't want to tempt the fates and have it leak all over a box of my stained glass stuff and then on to whatever else was next to it.
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Post by nowyo on Dec 18, 2018 19:24:29 GMT -5
The foil I'm using right n0w is some old stuff-I know for sure it's at least 15 years old.
The flux is liquid, apply it with a brush. Again, made for stained glass work.
My soldering iron is 100 watts with a separate heat control. Still playing with it to get the effect I want.
Thanks all for your kind comments. With any luck I'll get these to look like a sixth grader did the work rather than a six year old.
Russ
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