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Silver and Solder

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A group for experts & novices to share our successes, difficulties, tips & pics as related to designing silver soldered jewelry.

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Latest Activity: Sep 21, 2012

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Not everyone understands exactly what soldering involves as compared to other types of metal work like casting and fabricating. It may be helpful to break down and explain basic silver solder techniques. Each of the group members can then take it to the next level and try the techniques out.

"Solder" is actually a metal alloy ( mixture of metals ) which is heated in order to join metals. Solder comes in different alloys such as silver and gold. Match the type of solder to the type of metal so that you do not see the solder after finishing a solder.

Heat the solder to join two pieces of metal with a torch to the correct temperature so the solder melts and flows between the two pieces of metal, bonding them together.

While learning to solder is not really any more difficult than wrapping a bead with wire, understanding what the metal is doing can be just as important as understanding the step by step process.

If you are experienced please join in and share your expertise. If you're a novice just starting out and interested in learning how to solder to design jewelry then please join in, because it is the novice interested in learning that will make the group a success !

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Silversmiting / Metalsmithing for Jewelry Design

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Comment by Steve Ferenz on December 15, 2009 at 10:58am: Here are the addresses. Cut and paste.........

Indian Jewelry Supply - http://www.ijsinc.com/

Thunderbird Supply Company - http://www.thunderbirdsupply.com/

Comment by TaoGem on December 14, 2009 at 8:08pm: Thank you Steve !

I really need to get it together with a soldering surface like the ones you show. I am using a charcoal block. It works ok, but really would like to purchase something different..

Thanks again ...

Comment by Steve Ferenz on December 14, 2009 at 5:06pm: Sorry it did not transfer the links I had added. But, if you google either of the jewelry supply companies you can get there.

Comment by Steve Ferenz on December 14, 2009 at 5:04pm: For those of you needing a surface to solder or anneal on, there are two types that I use:

1st: A solid non-asbestos pad. These come in 6"x6", 6"x12" or 12"x12" sizes.

2nd: A honey combed ceramic pad. These come in 5-1/2"x7-3/4" and 5-1/8"x3-3/8" sizes.

Either or both can be purchased at Thunderbird Supply Company or at Indian Jewelry Supply

I hope this helps you out.

Comment by TaoGem on May 3, 2009 at 8:33pm: I am told that after time people tend to stop using the third arms.. I still find it useful..

Yes also the the wire.. I use it a lot to help keep the bezel tape tight to the backing. Seems like can't ever get the backing completely flush to the bezel tape on its own.

Comment by Jessica Cox on May 3, 2009 at 7:53pm: I have just used a fire brick from the hardware store, as shown by Taogem. I have not yet purchased a third arm and need one badly. Some other ways of positioning things for soldering are tying them together with steel "binding wire" or using various chunks of firebrick/ charcoal for creating different levels. Make sure if you buy a third arm you get a nice one, I had a cheap on a while back and it didn't work, and had teeth that marred my metals. The most important thing I have learned about soldering is prep work is so important, the two surfaces you are soldering together must fit together flush, no gaps, solder does not fill gaps. When your prep work is right, you don't need much solder at all, and your finished piece will be much stronger and better looking.

Comment by TaoGem on April 17, 2009 at 6:45pm: Just a quick hello to the few folks who have joined this "Silver and Solder" group.

Howdy, howdy!

Comment by TaoGem on February 5, 2009 at 9:28pm: Hi Juli ilar,

The picture your looking at I borrowed just to reference.

There are a variety of different blocks that work well for soldering on.

Here is a link to MonsterSlayer.com with some examples of Honeycomb, Charcoal, Magnesia, Clay and Glass, and Silquar,

Most everyone like to use the type of boards that allow for sticking pins in for supporting the piece in a solid position. Also to be able and use wire in the same way. To be able and support the piece in a perfect position wile soldering.

I have yet to order this type of block, but will eventually.

I can stick pins into the charcoal block, and works just fine. I think it may result in wearing the block out just a little sooner than if I did not use it that way.

I use my third arm a lot now. At first I was trying to position and hold things in place with pliers. Not too smart...

I am still learning, but using the third arm with a combination of the charcoal and fire block I get things to work pretty good.

Sometimes I might not use the charcoal block at all and just use the fire brick.

I would not use the granite. Spend a couple of dollars at the hardware store for a single fire brick. Your really going to need to settle in on a technique. And I have found that the third arm tool is a must. When I use it, I position the clamped piece so it is positioned a couple of inches up from the block I am using so that as I am soldering the torch flame is pointed towards the block and not to a wooden table top or something.

You may well find that you will want to be able and have available to you many different techniques. To be able and pin items in position, and or just setting the piece directly on a block of some kind without the need of pinning at all.

I hope this has not confused you in any way. If I did not explain very well, please comment back at me and will try again !

Comment by juli ilar on February 5, 2009 at 6:49pm: Is that a chunk of pumace yhat your working on? I have a piece of granite. Will it work for a work surface?