Fast, Easy, Efficient, Accurate Soldering Using Paste Solder
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- Опубликовано: 12 май 2017
- Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Safety Glasses;
Paste Solder;
Butane Torch;
Charcoal Block;
Kiln Shelf;
Lazy Susan Base;
Solder Pick; and,
Copper Tongs
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In this video, Professor John Ahr of the Online Jewelry Academy investigates the use of paste solder. This material is available from most jewelry supply companies. It's a combination of flux and micro solder particles that is packaged in a syringe.
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Hi John, I have always loved paste solder and am glad you found you liked it too. I think one thing that people might want to know is it's normal for it to catch fire a bit sometimes, that's just the binder burning off. Thank you for singing it's praises. I'm glad you like it!
Hi Dharlee, Yes, I am loving paste solder. It has really made a difference in the amount of clean up that I need to do on my pieces after soldering. A number of people have commented on the fact that it catches fire. I surprised me the first time I used it. Thanks for sharing your comment.
Thanks for being a loyal supporter of the OJA! : )
I've soldered using copper paste solder, silver wire solder but have yet to use silver paste solder. I learned from using the copper paste a little goes a long way! I was actually looking to find a video demonstrating silver paste solder being applied with a pick so I can repair some fine chains without melting them; HOWEVER, I did find this video very helpful too but for other/different projects. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and skills! This is great!!👍🙂
I’m glad that you found the video helpful. In my experience, I have never seen a jeweler use paste solder in combination with a pick soldering technique. Good luck repairing your fine chain. 🍀
Thank you John..I have used this solder for pmc work..but shied away from using it with other work...but I'll follow your example and get going with it...have a groovy day..🐧
Glad you liked the video Joyce. I'm still using my paste solder for almost everything, and loving it.
Thanks for your support! : )
I just thought I'd return with a paste solder idea that I've used successfully for the last 6 months. In addition to using some commercially prepared paste solder, I've also made my own--it's much easier than it sounds. Basically, you grind wire solder into dust using a burr and a rotary tool. You then mix the dust with a liquid flux (I use My-T-Flux) and use a small tool to apply to the area to be soldered. I've found this works very well where for soldering jump rings and other small joints. The only drawback--you only mix it as needed, as it doesn't keep. On the plus side, it's a lot cheaper and more flexible than buying paste solders for every temperature.
Wow Kurt! You really are a clever and curious man. I respect that. Thanks for posting your comment.
Thanks for your support! : )
Favorite teacher!
Hi Cory, Shucks, thanks for the compliment.
Thanks for your support! : )
OMG that is amazing, I love this.
Hi Timothy, I'm still enjoying your Insta posts. You crack me up. Check this stuff out! It has really made my life a lot easier.
Thanks for your support! : )
Great video--it's easy to the see the benefits of paste in this application. I've balked on the price for paste--but I may get some for some tricky soldering situations. I've also watched videos which show the fusing of pieces of Argentium silver with heat--no solder or flux needed. I may try that too...
Hi Kurt, Glad you liked the video. Seriously, my life has changed since I started using paste solder. I am a lot more relaxed at the bench when I have to solder something crazy. I encourage you to get some on your bench soon. BTW, the OJA has a silver fusing video too.
Thanks for your support! : )
When I began working silver, I decided to just start right in on Argentium, and am only now learning sterling. Argentium can indeed be fused, once you get the hang of it. I do some bulky stuff, and will always choose to fuse rather than solder whenever possible, but there are definitely some situations with delicate pieces, where I prefer to solder. For example, most of my ring shanks are fused, but prongs, bezels, etc are soldered. I make heavy bracelets in both Argentium and sterling, in the bronze-age style of the Vikings and Romans, where I twist or weave wires from 10 gauge up to 2 gauge together, then heat the ends until they are puddles, and later forge them into tapering ends. I am finding both sterling and Argentium work well this way, though I find Argentium to be a hard sell, and that people who are not familiar with it would prefer to buy simple sterling, so I am branching out. I have not tried paste yet, but am frequently frustrated when my flux pops and throws my chip solder off the join, and am hoping paste may solve this issue. Thanks for the video!
I've used it for many years, however, not like most I believe.
I apply a light coat on the pieces that I am working with. Touching my pick lightly against the paste allows me to not only pick up the chips with the pick but will hold the chips in place on the components. It's a great flux for the chip and the extra solder in the paste never hurts.
Hi Cengems, Thanks for adding to the conversation.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi John, keep those beauty tutorials coming, they help with the extra q&a. Did you mention which solder you used in the video? My question is, was it hard, medium or easy solder? I have them all plus copper solder paste, but wondered if such a complex piece like that would be better by using the hard solder for strength
Hi! I'm glad that you're enjoying the OJA's videos. I used hard silver solder in the video. Paste solder does come in a variety of metals and melting temperatures. Just check with your normal jewelry supplier to find out what they can provide. The strength difference between hard and easy solder is slight. I generally try to use hard solder for every soldering operation. The solder always alloys a bit with the metal elements it's joining. So, the temperature of your solder keeps going up every time that you solder on a piece.
Thanks for your support! : )
ty ty so much.
Hi Tasha, I'm glad that you found the video helpful.
Thanks for your support of the OJA! : )
So I got some paste solder and gave it a whirl. On the positive side--it's very easy to apply and work when a joint is at an odd angle that doesn't work well for solid solder. One negative--since the effective volume of solder is less than a pallion or two (at least by my methods), it's less forgiving of mistakes or uneven joints that would be covered by my usual method. Of course, it's not bad practice that I get the joints as precisely aligned as I can--but sometimes the heat causes the two pieces to bend slightly and require some cleanup. In terms of my total work, it might be similar--but it looks very useful for tricky soldering jobs.
Hi Kurt, It sounds like you generally like the paste solder. I'm still liking it too. But, since we posted this video I've had a chance to play with it a lot more. And, I have found that it isn't always a great substitute for traditional sheet or wire solder. But, I sure do like the way it helps me to keep from using too much solder. Glad the video inspired you to try something new.
Thanks for your support! : )
I also like that I can use smaller amounts with solder paste. I've narrowed down the problem I have with the paste solder I bought--there are impurities which leave discolored slag around the solder joint. But I have found a solution--make my own paste solder! It's not as hard as it sounds--I use a burr to grind some wire solder into dust and then mix that with liquid flux. The slag spots are gone. :)
I think this just changed my life! Would this work for making vintage pins and clip earrings onto pendants by paste-soldering on a jump ring?
Hi Brandy, I'm glad that the video inspired you to try something new. Remember to always work safely.
Thanks for your support! : )
What is the difference between a magnesium solder block and a charcoal solder block? Which is better for what? What is the best for soldering on? Thank you in advance. I love your tutorials.
Princess Zoeylynn
great question! I'm sure he'll tell us Soon.
Hi Princess, There are numerous types of materials that are produced and sold as "soldering blocks". The two you asked about, magnesia and charcoal have been compared and examined by many jewelers. Please see: www.ganoksin.com/article/magnesia-blocks-myth-debunked/ In my opinion, charcoal blocks are more versatile; especially when you use both soft and compressed types on your bench. Just like a magnesia, soft charcoal can be easily carved into and poked into by wires to hold items in place during soldering. True, it is a lot more brittle than magnesia. But, the charcoal will reflect heat better, deform less from use, and can be used to make small ingots. Just be sure to wrap your charcoal block with binding wire so it won't snap apart and shrink the surface area available for your work. I encourage you to try both types of soldering blocks on your bench and decide which one works best for you. Glad you're enjoying the videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
Excellent video, very clear and concise. Where do you get the large compressed charcoal block? I haven't seen any for over a year. thank you
Hi William, Thanks for the compliment. I'm cheap. So, I look online for my supplies and compare prices. Hence, I don't really have one supplier to recommend. The blocks are available. You'll find one without any problems.
Thanks for your support! : )
Fantástico !!!!!
Hola, estoy respondiendo a tu comentario usando google translate. Me alegra que te haya gustado el video. Gracias por su apoyo de la OJA!
Over 30 years? He doesnt look a day past 12
Thank you for your very helpful videos! I recently started soldering (teaching myself...) and sometimes the pieces I solder break at the point where I have soldered them. What could I be doing wrong? I'm using this soldering paste...
You could be doing a couple of things wrong. First, you might not be using enough heat to completely melt the solder into your seam. Or, you might be soldering over fire-scale. Fire-scale develops whenever you apply heat to a silver item. Try filing the joints lightly before you attempt to solder them again. Good luck! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Thank you so much! I really appreciate your suggestions (and all the useful information in your videos)! I'll keep working on it.
I've heard stories of paste solder drying up in the syringe. Any tips on keeping the unused solder at a working consistency between uses? Thank you so much foe all of your informative videos. I am learning so much!
Hi Nancy, If people are telling you that their paste solder is drying up in the syringe, they aren't making much jewelry. True, the thrifty buy some big syringes full of the stuff. But if you're using it regularly in your work, even the big syringes won't dry out. One of my students suggested that I store mine in a zip closing plastic bag. I'm always able to squeeze out some from my syringe. So, I guess the bag is working. Oh, and I don't leave it in a warm sunny spot between uses.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you very much!!
Great question! I've been using paste solder for a couple of years, and have multiple syringes in copper, silver, & Argentium in multiple hardness. Sometimes, some do get very difficult to push through syringe where I have to take off top to get it out. MY QUESTION IS.. can I use liquid flux to soften paste?? Big fan of your videos & as a retired accountant, I appreciate the detail that clearly describe on each topic!!
Thanks John. I bought paste solder a little while back but haven't tried it yet. Glad you mentioned the ventilation! What is the name of your torch? Thanks again. Mary
Hi Mary, I honestly don't remember the name of the butane torch that I used in the video. They're readily available online. Just look for a butane torch that can achieve a temperature of 1500 degrees or more. There are some made for chefs that don't get hot enough.
Thanks for your support! : )
It looks exactly like the torch I have--a Blazer GB2001. Gets up to 2500F (1371 C). So far works great for my projects.
Hi! I have troubles to solder silver pin to copper piece with paste. Could you please make some video how to make it correct? I am totally new to this and I learn visually. Your video is amazing, I just subscribed to your channel.
Zuzana Elgyuttova Thanks for subscribing to the OJA’s channel. You’ll find a number of soldering videos grouped by category on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. Paste solder works just like wire and sheet solder once you get past the initial burning off of the liquid components. : )
I would like to make my own paste solder. If I file down silver solder, what do I need to add to the mix to bind all together? I would like to use for filigree work.
Silver solder filings are not small enough to make your own paste solder. The OJA does not teach how to make this product.
Hello! I liked your video, where do i buy this paste solder? Thank you Much~
A quick Google search for "paste solder" will bring up a number of jewelry suppliers who offer it. The OJA doesn't give manufacturer recommendations for this product.
Thanks for your support! : )
I love solder paste! Where did you find that tubing???
Hi Rachel, I purchased it on Etsy from a company named Raw Brass. Hope you liked the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
So I know this is a few years old, but I'm about to make my first attempt with silver paste. I've seen other crafters say this isn't suitable for rings, or anything like that, only jump rings and clasps. That doesn't seem accurate given the things I've seen done with it. Can you use this to attach a ring top to a band?
Yes, paste solder could be used to attach a ring top to a band. Now let me tell you why paste solder isn't your best choice for that job. In short, it is difficult to know exactly how much you've applied and it tends to make for lots of extra clean-up when it's used for big jobs like that. I use it to speed up chain making, applying small elements, or when it's difficult to keep solder chips in place over a seam. Hope that helps. : )
Is there an example like this with copper, I've looked through and maybe missed it. Thank you OJA!
Hi Grace, I make many of my sample pieces from copper. But, I always solder them with silver solder. I do not like the way that copper solder behaves. You can minimize the clean up by using paste solder. And, any silver seams can be easily plated using spent pickle. We have a video on that topic in the OJA's playlist. You can find the complete playlist organized by subject on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
Thanks for your support! : )
Oh thank you kind Sir!!
Does solder have a shelve life? Mine is over 4 years old. Doesnt seem to work. It bubbles & smokes, but looks like creamated dust
Paste solder has a shelf life of between 9 to 12 months. After that it tends to separate and not work properly. 😀
So, does this come in various types? Silver, gold, no lead hobby solder? This looks like something I want!
Yes. Paste solder comes in a wide variety of metals and melting temperatures. Just check with your regular jewelry supplier to see what they have to offer. You'll love it.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, I have those same hexagonal pieces and I want to attach them together but I still want them to be flexible. Do you know of any piece I could use? I’ve been trying to find something but I’ve had no luck.
I don’t know what your vision of attached but flexible looks like. So, I don’t have a recommendation. Sorry. 😞
could you use this to thicken the band of a ring?
No. The OJA has videos that cover sizing rings up and down. You can find them on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com under the "Ring Projects" heading. : )
could you use that stuff for soldering gold items?
You will need to purchase the correct karat, color and melting temperature of gold paste solder.
Paste solder does need to flame to activate. I think that's good to know so you aren't surprised/ concerned.
Hi Leila, Thanks for posting your comment. I'm sure that it will answer some people's biggest concern about this material.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi!! Where do i buy this paste solder? Thanks
If you do a quick search on Google for paste solder, you'll find lots of jewelry supply companies that sell it. The OJA tries not to give manufacturer/retailer recommendations.
Thanks for your support! : )
What types of metal can we use this on
Silver solder can be used on silver, copper, brass, and some base metals. 😀
How did you make the 3 separate parts in the first place )
Hi Ian, The hexagon elements were all cut from hexagon tubing. You can order pieces like these or the actual brass tubing from an Etsy shop named Raw Brass.
Thanks for your support! : )
Ok thanks for that can you do a video or give me some advise on how to make Geometric Minimal Necklace
hey John, what is the recipe for Paste Solder ?
I’ve only ever purchased it. I’ve never attempted to make paste solder from scratch. 😀
Can I use in gold jewellery and after its use no difference in caret
Here's a link for you to check out: www.riogrande.com/searchresults#q=gold%20paste%20solder&t=products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&numberOfResults=36
I recently have gotten solder paste and for some reason its not binding my metals
You're probably not heating it to the correct melting temperature. Either that or your metal is dirty. Hope that helps.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you for the reply I really appreciate the tip
amazing! does the paste solder work on sterling silver and copper?
Yes! You can use paste solder on copper and silver.
Thanks for your support! : )
Is this gold brass?
The solder used in the video is silver paste solder. It’s available from most any jewelry supply company.
Love it but afraid of the smoke. Is it really that toxic. Some always gets away from extraction. There is someone I’ve seen “teaching” who uses gobs and gobs of solder paste. It’s everywhere after soldering and never cleans it off. It has to be cleaned up like regular solder. Otherwise it oxidizes faster than your precious metal correct? But you don’t need gobs and gobs right?
I can’t guarantee that every manufacturer produces a nontoxic product. So be sure to read read the product description before you use it. You shouldn’t need to use a huge amount to solder items. But, you’ll need to practice with the paste solder to get used to it. And you’re correct. You must minimize the solder on the surface of your piece. Filing and sanding will help take care of that. 😀
How to make solder paste?
You don’t make it. You buy it from a jewelry supply company. You can find one that ships to your location if you look online. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy 😄😄 ok thanks sir. what is the name of this item in the online shop?
@@faigc9511 Search for paste solder. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy oke thanks😁
I tried this but the solder is burning?
The material that the solder is mixed with is slightly combustable. Just let it burn away and continue using your torch as you usually would to solder. : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy it literally powered and burn out.. very strange
I bought paste solder and tried and tried to use it. All it did was turn black and evaporate.
Check the date of manufacture or expiration on the product. Paste solder separates and doesn’t work after a few months. If it’s fresh, try experimenting with it on a piece of scrap. It does take some getting used to. 😀