| Soldering is the process of fusing or joining two or | | | | to solder. As solder has a capillary action when |
| more metal items together using a flux and solder | | | | liquid, any gaps between the two surfaces will |
| and incorporating heat as the catalyst. But before | | | | allow the solder to run down one side of the |
| you can begin soldering, there are several things | | | | seam and leave a messy finish. |
| to be considered. The design itself must lend itself | | | | Once the joint is coated on both faces with flux, |
| to soldering, the parts to be soldered must fit | | | | you can then apply the flame to heat the item. A |
| closely and the correct solder and flux need to be | | | | mixture of gas and compressed air is generally |
| used. | | | | the best combination for torch soldering, as fine |
| There are four basic types of silver solder, | | | | adjustments of the flame size and temperature |
| classified according to their melting points - | | | | are more easily obtainable. The flame shouldn't |
| ex-easy, easy, medium and hard. An easy grade | | | | rest over one area but be moved constantly to |
| solder will melt at a lower temperature compared | | | | prevent damaging the surfaces of the piece. If |
| to hard grade solder. Solder has to conform to | | | | you have preplaced your solder at the joint seam |
| the same hallmarking standard as the metal being | | | | prior to heating, once the correct temperature is |
| worked upon, so Stirling silver pieces will need to | | | | reached the solder should flow into the joint. The |
| be soldered using silver solder. The first thing to | | | | alternative is to feed the tip of the solder (if it is |
| do before beginning to apply any heat to the | | | | in wire form) onto the joint where it should melt |
| piece is to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned. | | | | on contact and again flow into the seam. |
| The piece can then be annealed, which is the initial | | | | Any flux residue can be removed by soaking the |
| softening of the silver to be joined. Only the area | | | | piece in hot water. If you find it difficult to |
| that is taking the solder needs this treatment. A | | | | remove the residue, soaking the piece in a |
| blowtorch at a temperature of around 1200 | | | | solution of 5-10% sulfuric acid for a few minutes |
| degrees F will suffice and as the findings heat up | | | | and then rinsing in hot water should remove any |
| they will change in color to a dull pink. | | | | last traces. Do take into account any precious or |
| Once this process has been carried out you can | | | | semi-precious stones that are incorporated into |
| then apply the flux. This is a chemical cleaning | | | | the piece, as the acid (even at low |
| agent that cleans the silver findings and the solder | | | | concentrations) may affect the surface of the |
| of any remaining oxide film and allows the solder | | | | gem. |
| to flow freely. The most effective flux is borax, | | | | As with all hobbies that include the use of heat, |
| which can be ground with a little water to form a | | | | make sure that your work surface is suitably |
| paste that is then directly applied to the piece you | | | | protected and that you consider all safety issues |
| are soldering. Check that there are no visible gaps | | | | before beginning your work. |
| between the two pieces of metal that you want | | | | |