Michaels and the Michaels logo and other trademarks and logos used on this site are owned or licensed by Michaels Stores, Inc. All rights reserved. Love this tool. Hello :0) I was wondering if you could give me a tip on how to get the copper tape to stay stuck to the glass. Copper tape creates the metal base needed for the solder to flow onto. The solder we use is lead free, and while some fumes are created, it isnt enough to bother most people as long as you are in a well-ventilated room. I wouldnt waste the time to file anything off my soldering iron tip when using a Sal Amoniac block to clean it and re-tin it takes only seconds and is not harmful to your tip. I want to use flat backed charms/buttons, etc. On the plus side--when soldering copper, silver solder will appear silver and not blend in. I havent destroyed any yet, but I dont use mine daily. I have watched multiple videos online and read many how-to pages and FAQs. See what I mean? I have a sterling silver pendant that the bail broke off from. Maybe give our flux, solder and soldering irons a try and see if it makes a difference. I found this video though, maybe it will be helpful. Ill try reducing the temp and see what happens. Clips, clothespins or a third hand are all helpful tools for holding your piece while protecting your fingers. Ive now ordered some Simply Swank solder & flux from your site, and hope that will take out a few of the unknowns for me. Hope this helps! And my favorite, Puppy Love pin: The torch used for this type of soldering is fueled by gas and oxygen. Hi Michelle, Im glad you are getting the Simply Swank solder weve all really enjoyed using it here. You may return the item to a Michaels store (excluding Michaels Pro Returns) or by mail. The Differences Between Soft and Hard Soldering. Clean it with a little rubbing alcohol (and then let it dry) before applying the tape. For a full line of soldering tools, soft solder and hard solder, Is it possible to repair it with a soldering iron? So littery the tool is useless after the tips are worn. When I go on vacation this summer, Im going to try to bring back some small mementos with a shadowbox in mind and see what I can do with them. I have a Versatip, though I must say that I'm mostly using it as a micro torch (to melt hard solder among other things) and have only used it as a soldering iron once (not used to using round solder iron tips and it didn't come with a flat one) and same with the heat gun function: used it once to melt embossing powder on brass tags. Hi Willie, I wonder if your soldering iron is simply too hot for your solder. It is exactly as you are describing, I think just adding blobs of solder instead of smoothing them flat. Good tips! Check out the links in the reply to Rain (above), for some project ideas that were created with a butane micro torch and soft solder. Good chance its not your technique, but one of your supplies thats causing the problems. Some Weller tips are iron-clad, others arent. is an adhesive-backed copper tape. And 3) what type of foil are you using? It beads up and runs everywhere. Each has its own tools and intricacies. If its higher than copper, youre probably fine. The wax will clean the solder further as well as create a high shine. This combination will allow you to heat a piece from all sides. Thanks Much! Use tweezers of pliers to place the two pieces of metal to be joined onto your, If it is not included in the paste solder, apply. thanks! Thank you! So try this near ventilation! One Soldering Iron Stand --that extra hand I always need, fiber grip tweezers for holding things that are hot, and titanium solder picks to help with solder placement. wipe it on a wet spongue or a metal scrubie. Is it because Im useing cheap models? Rings & Things sells Choice, SILVERGLEEM, and Staybrite silver solder. But you are working with thin wire, so who knows. Hi Michelle, what type/brand of solder and/or flux are you using? I bought 500 rhinestone connectors from China. I got this with a 30% off coupon. Can you use the soldering iron in the house?? Copper foil is used to surround the item being soldered. Also, you really DO want the wider tip, not the pointy tip. Flux is applied to the copper foil using a disposable. Of course, the simplest is to buy an already-made hinged shadowbox, but I realize youre looking to make your own. Hello. 675 degrees seems like too high of a melting temp for soft soldering, so perhaps that is the problem. It was the best Ive found. by placing the end of the solder on one side of the tip of the solder iron. 1 pack of 1 Square Memory Glass Soldering irons used for soft soldering can be electric or gas powered and heat to a range of temperatures from 600-1100 degrees Fahrenheit. Use pliers to hold the jump ring on the blob, and reheat with the iron to secure it in place. If they melt/smoke too easily, that would be the only reason it wouldnt work. And a few other blog articles that might help: To remove dirt and grease, soak your metal pieces in a. bath then wash with a good de-greasing liquid detergent. Repeat. ~Polly. Mollies Poppy Field soldered pendant necklace uses two #41-254-1 fold-over crimp ends instead of jump rings as hangers. I know the hotter ones put off lots of fumes. And dont worry there are no evil sea monsters lurking in Lake Soldering Iron. Can you help me with this? Thanks for sharing Once you have finished soldering and the solder has cooled, flux should be cleaned from the surface. Oxygen can either be drawn into the torch from the atmosphere through the flow of the fuel or combined with the fuel through the torch's configuration, drawing in pure oxygen and fuel from individual tanks, each with its own regulator and adjustments on the torch itself. Baking soda is a great material to use for cleaning, as it is nonabrasive yet works well at removing the flux residue left behind. Hope this helps! let your iron warm up for a good 10 min .or more . If these dont do the trick, maybe give us a call at 1 (800) 366-2156, 8-4 weekdays Pacific time. Plus your sterling wire, chain, charms etc. Thanks so much, Hi Marsha, Soft solder (used with soldering irons) and hard solder (used with torches) have different properties, so require different construction methods. Im lost. Stephanie, Hi Stephanie, I always plug my iron into a power strip along with a radio plugged into the same strip , leave the radio turned on. Since I havent used any others than the ones we sell (and the ancient one in my dads basement 40 years ago), I really cant advise you on the quality of yours, or the various types of flux. I actually just got a soldering kit from my local Michaels. http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Soft-Jewelry-Solder-and-Flux/Solder-Soft-Staybrite-reg.html One Hakko 60w Soldering Iron Ive watched the videos on their site & they were very helpful, so thanks for pointing me that direction. And turn it off for a few seconds every now and then to let it cool off. This can be purchased at a stained glass supply store. http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Pleasant-Dream-Etched-Barrette-Tutorial/ Avoid solders that have rosin or acid cores. The iron on the left has a pointy tip (not recommended). Instead of leaving the pendant with a smooth soldered look, they go back and add bubbles or balls of solder around the pendant to make a framed look. Hi Eliza no, I would not recommend using a soldering iron or soft solder with gold-filled components. Hi Sean, I love sharing all the fun stuff I come across! To plate the silver solder with a copper layer, heat up the used pickle solution, place a piece of steel into the used pickle (creating an electrical charge) then place the copper design into the pickle. to the metal. (Simply Swank no longer produces soldering irons and soldering accessories.). When I tried the solder seemed to want to stick to only one side of the join eventhough both sides had flux. Create a Healing Shrine Ive just had a go and found that it raised when I applied the solder. But that was just my first try my teacher hadnt scorched any in years. Now that you know the general soldering landscape, we are ready to jump into Lake Soldering Iron! All 3 work great with soldering irons; Staybrite is more expensive because of its higher silver content. It makes your soldering task a whole lot easier. I also think these would need a little bit of reinforcement on the inside unless you only use glass on the front, and you cut the back and sides from a single sheet of copper (or other metal). Allow for as much overlap as your design can permit, as this will create the best level of strength in your soldered joint. Yes, that is totally feasible! But you shouldnt be going through them as fast as sandpaper! Used pickling solution contains heavy metals that can contaminate the water supply so prior to dumping or disposing of the pickle, check with your local authorities as each city has its own local rules. Here is our updated blog post, with the newer soldering supplies (the Simply Swank brand no longer exists): Hello there, i saw that it is an old post but i will try, i want to buy the versatip to melt only silver, coper, and gold wire 0,3 mm, it would be inlay for wood so if it isn necesary i would prefer to use soldering without the torch alternative. Does it have a temperature/wattage control or it simply off and on? You WILL RUIN it !!!. Remove metal from pickel and wash with soap and water. I was scared I put on too much, then too little, then it was oxidizing quickly even though I was covering a small area at a time. Browse the Jewelry Design Gallery on our main site for even more Jewelry-Making Tips & Tutorials especially if you came to our blog from Instagram, and cant find the jewelry design youre looking for! Products sold by Fire Mountain Gems and Beads are intended for experienced jewelry-makers and designer-artists; children 14 years of age or younger should use these products with adult direction. is used as a cleaning agent, dissolving oxides on the surface of the metal to be soldered, as well as a barrier, preventing oxides from forming on the surface of the solder as it is heated. The two most important things to look for are tip style and wattage. A mini crock-pot is an ideal vessel for holding the pickle as it is unaffected by the acid solution, it can be safely heated and has a lid to keep the pickle from evaporating too quickly. Carol. Handy and worked great for the project I used it for. to heat the metal. I want to step up my skill level:) Please help! ~Polly. Soldering is difficult when the tip is black and crusty if the wet sponge doesnt help while you are working, let the iron cool and then file off the gunk. I would love some advice! 8oz Choice Solder You just need to be careful not to melt your non-precious-metal objects and trinkets into sad little puddles. Torches have either one tip/nozzle or the ability to change the tips to create a different size flame. It is used with a torch rather than a soldering iron, so I think youre safe to use the soldering iron method, as long as you understand that soft solder is not designed for aluminum, and so youll need to hold them together with the copper foil, and then run solder to hide the copper foil. We love it when you ask questions, or let us know about outdated/ broken links. Burnish smooth. Although I havent used it, Handy Flux (as long as it is one of their low-temp options) looks ok: http://www.lucasmilhaupt.com/en-US/products/fluxes/handyfluxes/13/ If it is possible, what kind of soldering do I use; torch or iron? My next question is, does the Simply Swank Soldering Iron come with an iron-clad tip? File any rough edges, buff with a polishing cloth, and youre done! I really love your blog and read your posts daily. 1 sheet Piddix 7/8 Square Collage Sampler It includes: It was so hot that it actually MELTED THE COPPER TAPE. I was wondering why my solder jewelry pieces seem to tarnish? ), 2019 Rings and Things All Rights Reserved, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Jewelry-Soldering-Tools/, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Reference-Books/Book-The-Complete-Metalsmith-An-Illustrated-Handbook.html, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Hard-Jewelry-Solder-Flux-and-Pickle/, http://www.lucasmilhaupt.com/en-US/products/fluxes/handyfluxes/13/, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Soft-Jewelry-Solder-and-Flux/Solder-Soft-Staybrite-reg.html, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Soft-Jewelry-Solder-and-Flux/, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Aqua-Love-Necklace-Tutorial/, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Pleasant-Dream-Etched-Barrette-Tutorial/, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Puppy-Love-Pin-Tutorial/, strip of copper, brass or nickel silver sheet, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Soldering-Irons-and-Tools-for-Soft-Solder-Jewelry/Rings-Things-Exclusive-Glass-Soldering-Jewelry-Making-Kit_2.html, http://www.rings-things.com/blog/2013/04/18/how-to-solder-glass-pendants, Glass Bezels How to show off your treasures, http://www.rings-things.com/Products/Jewelry-Soldering-Tools-and-Supplies/, Create Colorful Jewelry with Mirage Beads and Mermaid Scales, How to Make a Silk Ribbon and Cameo Bolo Tie Necklace, How to Make Beaded Guitar String Hoop Earrings, "Blue Valentines" A Free Earring-Making Tutorial. You might also want to gently but firmly burnish (press it down) with a burnishing tool or the back of a pen (Sharpies have a smooth end that works great as a burnisher). What types of metal(s) do you want to solder? just above the copper, place the end of the solder against the tip of the iron until the solder begins to melt. However, I couldnt get the Studio Pro to tin the tip. The benefit of different melting points makes it possible to solder a design multiple times without each previous join opening up when you solder another seam on the piece. Ive scorched the paper in a glass pendant with paper glued to it, when adding foil and soft solder. Flux works as an oxide inhibitor, absorbing oxygen as the metal is heated. Hi Claire, it sounds like there is a bit of grease or dust on your glass. Sandwich images between 2 pieces of glass and wrap edges with copper foil tape. Im struggling to find a tutorial. Heat until the solder begins to run and remove heat. The iron on the right has the recommended chisel tip, but needs to be cleaned! video how-to and illustrated instructions, how-to video and illustrated instructions, ''Tumbling and Polishing Jewelry and Stones with a Tumbler'', ''Cleaning Metal and Jewelry with Polishing Cloths'', ''How To Set Up and Polish with the Polisher Bench Lathe'', ''How To Use a Sal Ammoniac Block to Maintain Your Soldering Iron''. Without touching the copper with the tip "pull" the solder across the copper. Thats probably not what you were intending you were probably hoping I would say you can simply solder the wires together, but I am pretty sure that soft (tin-based) solder will not work directly on aluminum. Hi Jenna, The temperature range achieved is based on the type of torch as well as the fuel used; the temperatures are from around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit to 5000 degrees Fahrenheit. The clips that come with it are either too loose to effectively hold the project or have such a tight grip there is a fear of the China snapping in two or it ripping my copper tape off because I cant open it wide enough to avoid scraping the edges. So I think the best way to find out is to just give it a try. How do you make a shadowbox pendant? When choosing copper foil, choose the widest foil possible for your design--one that fits the dimension/thickness of the items being soldered. Thank you again:)!! The uses are only limited by your imagination! Weve been using Staybrite Flux and Solder: A jewelers saw would be ideal, but you might be able to get away with sheet metal shears. I have the Hakko Soldering Station FX-888, which I love. Or if you have lotion on your hands, and you touch it again after cleaning it, youre coating it with something that will prevent the solder from sticking. Follow cleaning with a good polish using automotive wax.