Comment

Comment by Evelyn Pelati Dombkowski on March 23, 2011 at 1:29pm

That's a very practical suggestion. I don't have to buy two kinds of solder... Thanks!

Comment by Brittany Søndberg on March 23, 2011 at 12:50pm

Yes you could, that's another reason I find the wire to be the most versatile. Additionally if you are soldering something large or needing a lot of solder in an application, you can stick solder it, just by holding the wire with tweezers on the seam as you heat and feeding the solder into the seam. That was not a great explanation, but you can look it up if you are interested. :)

Comment by Evelyn Pelati Dombkowski on March 23, 2011 at 12:46pm

I suppose it comes down to everyone's own favorite work habits. I like to use little snippets of wire solder in places where it's useful to roll them right into place- like around the inside of a bezel that's being soldered onto a back plate. Sheet I use alot for pick soldering. I wouldn't take the time to hammer wire down but I guess you could.

Comment by Lora Hart on March 23, 2011 at 12:41pm

Is there much of a difference between sheet solder and wire solder? Couldn't you just hammer a clipped piece of wire to make it flat?

Comment by Brittany Søndberg on March 23, 2011 at 12:40pm

I have used sheet in the past, but I really only use wire solder now. For me it is the easiest to handle and cut tiny pieces from. I have several students who have used the paste in other workshops, but it seems weird to me.

Comment by Evelyn Pelati Dombkowski on March 23, 2011 at 12:36pm

I really like this tool from Grobet for cutting sheet solder. Grobet 46.149 solder cutting plier. I find it a very efficient way to cut pallions off the sheet- even little teeny ones.

Comment by Lora Hart on March 23, 2011 at 12:33pm

And I don't use any kind of syringe tip of needle. Just push the paste out and apply it with a toothpick.

 

Comment by Lora Hart on March 23, 2011 at 12:32pm

I've had two syringes of paste solder for about 8 years and still use them. (don't solder all that much). go them at a local bead store that isn't around anymore, and don't know what brand. I've just started practicing my skills in the Ring a Week project and doing lots of small bezels. I can see how metal solder might be better for that kind of project, but I've managed to make use of the paste just fine.

Comment by Jim Binnion on March 23, 2011 at 12:25pm

Paste has its uses but I find it to be of limited value.

There are several kinds of paste solder flux /binder some are meant to only be used in atmosphere controlled kiln soldering and some will work ok for torch work.

Because the paste has such a high surface area to volume ratio there can be problems with too much oxidation during heating and poor flow as a result.

 

If you are the type who likes to tinker around you can buy powdered solder and mix just enough to use for the current job and adjust the amount and type of flux to suit your taste.

Comment by lauren elizabeth griffiths on March 23, 2011 at 12:14pm

It goes out of date after six months I have some that expired and simply wouldn't flow it becomes hard to push from siringe first that's how you know! Thanks for feedback!!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next ›
• Page