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The best flux and solder for sterling and copper?

The best flux and solder for sterling and copper?

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Show Original Post

Original Post

celticgoddessjewelry says

What are your favorite fluxes for sterling silver?
Do you like them separate or together in on product (solder and flux)

What about copper?

Andee :-)

Posted at 2:53pm Mar 13, 2008 EDT

Responses

stonesoupsupplies says

www.contenti.com has a lot of soldering supplies, too.

I like syringes of paste solder for certain applications, like soldering jump rings or other very small pieces.

I like Batterns flux, too.

Posted at 5:14pm Mar 13, 2008 EDT

AngelKissesAlaska says

contagious and stonesoup-Thank you!! I have one more class tomorrow; I am having so much fun! :>

Posted at 2:23pm Mar 14, 2008 EDT

njavvi says

Plain borax works fine as flux, although there are different recipes for different metals and types of work. Both flux and solder can also be made at almost any workshop to suit your needs specifically if need be.

silverriverjewelry says:
"you have to use silver solder for copper as I don't believe they sell copper colored solder."

There are probably as many solder recipes as there are suppliers and alloyers, and yes, there are solders available specifically for copper and brass, as there are solders for pretty much every other metal known to man as well. The one I use is manufactured by AGA, I think, but it's not the same colour as copper. If colour is worrying you, copper-plating is easy enough if you have sulphuric or citric acid for cleaning flux and oxidation off of your products after soldering/annealing.

I feel that pre-mixed flux+solder pastes are very rarely necessary, and with paste it's also very easy to get a porous and oxidized seam that won't hold if you're not careful enough (happened to me :D). When soldering silver, I tend to flux the entire object to avoid unnecessary oxidation, heat the object, slowly concentrate the heat on the seam and prod the seam with a length of solder wire when it's hot enough.

Posted at 3:17pm Mar 14, 2008 EDT

DesignByLaraStudios says

I use Handiflux and silver med. solder for sterling and I found a solder with a yellow tint to it through Rio. You still have to use a contaminated pickle to help with the color issues when soldering copper, but it does work.

Posted at 4:03pm Mar 14, 2008 EDT

Duffydesigns says

I've tried the paste solder and haven't really liked it. It would seem to work then the part would fall off! I don't think i did it wrong, but who knows. It seemed so easy for the tiny catches on pins.

Posted at 4:10pm Mar 14, 2008 EDT