(Newswire.net — June 4, 2019) — How can you solder sterling silver? What are the items required for the task? If you are asking yourself these two questions then you have come to the right place. Typically, a jeweler will know how to solder sterling silver, but it is always a challenge to do it from home.
Can You Solder Sterling Silver?
There are many reasons why you may be looking into how to solder sterling silver, such as for downsizing a ring. In this article we have highlighted five steps you should follow, together with the items you will require to start silver soldering at your jewelry store.
Step 1: Set Up Your Work Area
Safety is a priority when preparing a soldering workplace. This is because soldering entails working with an open flame and molten metal which can be dangerous. So ensure you use a strong table as your work area. The table should be covered with either a charcoal soldering, a large ceramic tile or a piece of aluminum to prevent it from burning.
Finally, your work area should be well ventilated. You can open your windows or use a fan to allow free flow of air. Proper ventilation will prevent you from inhaling the fumes produced during soldering. Fumes produced by some metals used in soldering, if inhaled, can cause health problems.
Step 2: Get Your Working Items Ready
The second step is to collect the items you will need before you can start silver soldering. Some of these tools will help protect you, while others will make the process easier.
Tweezers
Tweezers will help you move hot components without getting burned. You will also use tweezers when soldering to protect your fingers from burning.
Safety Glasses and Apron
You will also need a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes. Glasses can prevent hot soldering from splashing into your eyes, so ensure you wear them. You should also wear an apron and closed shoes to prevent injuries or burning your clothes in the event you drop a hot metal.
Soldering Surface
When soldering, you require a heat resistant surface to place the item that you are soldering. This soldering surface will guard the table you are working on against any flaming pieces and therefore prevent it from burning. A soldering surface can be a charcoal block, mesh screen, magnesia block, or a honeycombed piece of ceramic.
Cooling Surface
You can put a pumice cup anywhere on your work area and use it for cooling.
Pickle
Pickle comes in powder form. It is then dissolved in water and heated. The resulting solution is used to remove firescale from silver after soldering. This solution can stay effective for several weeks.
Pickle Pot
Used to warm the pickle. After using a pickle pot for preparing pickle, it should never be used for other home purposes like cooking.
Copper Tongs
These can be used to remove items that may fall into your pickle. It is not advisable to pick items from your pickle using tweezers since tweezers are made of steel and steel damages pickle.
Solder
Solder comes in different forms. It can be in wire, sheet, chips or syringe paste. The type you choose will primarily depend on your preference.
Butane Torch and Butane
You will also need a butane torch for soldering, as well as a butane canister. You need to learn how to switch on the torch as it can be a difficult task for some people.
Flux and Brush
Removing oxygen will help reduce firescale and therefore improve soldering. You can use flux which is an oxygen reducing agent for that function. A flux brush is the right tool to apply flux on the metals.
Sandpaper and a Cleaning Cloth
It is advisable to clean and remove contaminants from your metal using sandpaper before you solder it. This will ensure the metal melts properly during soldering. A clean cloth should help you remove dust and oils.
Step 3: Have Your Instructional Materials Ready
Soldering can be complicated when you are doing it on your own. To prevent any confusion get your reference materials ready and go through them. These can be video tutorials, your class reference notes, or books that offer soldering instructions.
Step 4: Get Started
After you have gone through the tutorials then it’s time to get down to work. However, before you start using the torch ensure there are no distractions whatsoever. If you have long hair, tie it back. You should also remove anything that you will not need from your work space. Try using your touch without putting it on. Follow instructions from your tutorials or books until you are comfortable handling the torch flame. Be sure to care for the sterling silver properly after you finish soldering.
To Summarize
So, can you solder sterling silver? The steps above should guide through the process to solder jewelry that is made of sterling silver. Remember to have all the proper materials to ensure you can do it correctly.