Soldering is a fundamental skill in jewellery making, allowing you to join metal pieces together with precision and strength. If you’re starting your jewellery-making journey, this guide will walk you through the basics of soldering, from the tools you need to step-by-step instructions.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin soldering, make sure you have the following tools and materials:
Soldering Torch: A small handheld torch is ideal for jewellery making. Consider models with adjustable flame settings for better control.
Solder: Available in different types (extra easy, easy, medium, and hard), solder comes in strips, wire, or paste. Each type melts at a different temperature, so plan your soldering sequence accordingly. I always start with hard solder and stay on it as long as I can, carefully controlling the heat to avoid disturbing previous joints. Hard solder is the strongest you can get, so by doing this, I'm building very strong joints. If you're just starting, make sure to go through the different levels to avoid solder failure."
Flux: Helps the solder flow smoothly and prevents oxidation. I use my Borax Cone and apply it with a detailed paintbrush.
Pickle Solution: Used to clean your metal after soldering. I use a wax melt warmer to keep the solution warm, which helps speed up the cleaning process.
Soldering Block: A heat-resistant surface to work on. Ceramic, charcoal, or honeycomb blocks are commonly used.
Tweezers and Soldering Pick: Essential for positioning solder and handling hot pieces. Titanium tweezers are ideal as they don’t conduct heat as much.
Third Hand Tool: Useful for holding your work steady, especially for complex or small pieces.
Safety Equipment: Safety glasses to protect your eyes and a ventilated workspace to avoid inhaling fumes. A fire extinguisher nearby is also recommended.
You can find all these materials and tools on Cooksongold.
Step-by-Step Guide to Soldering
Prepare Your Pieces Ensure your metal pieces are clean by using fine sandpaper or a file to remove any oxidation or grease. The edges should fit together perfectly, as gaps will prevent the solder from flowing. Remember, solder is not a filler and cannot bridge gaps; it is designed to create a strong joint, so any gap will stop the solder from flowing properly.
Preparation
Apply Flux Brush a thin layer of flux onto the joint where the pieces meet. Flux prevents the formation of oxides and helps the solder flow more easily.
Position Your Solder Cut small snippets of solder, known as "pallions," and place them along the joint. Use a soldering pick or tweezers for precise placement. If you’re using solder paste, apply a small dot directly onto
the joint. While there are pre-cut solders available, I prefer to cut my own using shears. This gives me better control over the size of the solder, to ensure I’m using just the right amount. Avoid using excessive solder, as it will require more cleaning up afterwards.
Bezel Wire Joints
Heat Evenly Light your torch and use the tip of the flame to gently pass over the entire piece. Quick overheating can cause the flux to bubble excessively and move the solder out of the joint. Then, move the flame closer and begin by heating the area around the joint rather than directly on it. Gradually move closer to the joint as the flux begins to turn clear.
Bezel Back Plate Joints
Watch the Solder Flow As the metal heats, the solder will melt and flow into the joint by capillary action. Keep the flame moving to avoid overheating any one area. The moment the solder flows, remove the heat to prevent damage to your piece.
Jump Ring Joints
Cool and Pickle Allow the piece to cool slightly on the soldering block before transferring it to the pickle solution. Use plastic tweezers to handle the piece once it is in the pickle solution, as other metals can contaminate the solution.
Neutralise and Rinse After removing your piece from the pickle solution, rinse it thoroughly in clean water. Dry it with a soft cloth.
Polish and Finish Use sanding and polishing wheels with your Dremel to bring out the shine (see article 01 to find recommended polishing tools) You can also use fine abrasive wheels to achieve a satin finish if preferred.
Finish Product If you follow all the steps and pictures above, you should have yourself a pair of completed Dangle-Drop Seaglass Earrings :)
Dange-Drop Seaglass Earrings
Tips for Successful Soldering
Plan Your Soldering Sequence: Start with hard solder for high-heat joins and move to medium or easy solder for subsequent joins.
Maintain a Clean Workspace: Dusty and dirty metal can interfere with solder flow, so keep your tools and surfaces clean.
Use a Gentle Flame: Avoid overheating by using a soft, controlled flame. Too much heat can damage the delicate wires and bezels.
Practice Makes Perfect: Use scrap metal to practice techniques before working on your final piece.
Stay Safe: Always work in a well-ventilated area and wear appropriate safety gear.
Soldering may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, it becomes an enjoyable and rewarding part of jewellery making. Happy soldering!
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