What The FLUX - The Info You Need
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- Опубликовано: 12 янв 2018
- Recommended Tools & Supplies:
Safety Glasses;
Flux (Paste);
Batterns Self Pickling Flux;
Applicator Bottle (Needle Tip);
Yellow Ochre (Powdered);
Boric Acid (Powdered);
Denatured Alcohol;
Paint Brushes;
Tweezer;
Charcoal Block (Hardened);
Kiln Shelf;
Lazy Susan Base;
Copper Tongs;
Solder Assortment; and,
Solder Cutting Pliers
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In this video, Prof. John Ahr of the Online Jewelry Academy introduces viewers to various types of flux used for soldering jewelry. This video will help you to determine the type of flux that will work best for you in your studio.
There are many types of flux. The most basic form of flux, boric acid and denatured alcohol, is often used as a fire scale barrier. When it is used this way, jewelers will often use it in combination with a commercial flux product such as paste flux. You can control the flow of solder on an item with the use of an anti-flux such as yellow ochre. Check the OJA's playlist for a separate video on yellow ochre.
If you like this video, we've got plenty more. You can find the OJA's videos organized by category on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
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Hi,
I am zafar iqbal from pakistan.l am also a jewellery maker.Your videos are very informative. I have seen many of your videos. Your way of teaching is very good. Any body which don't know how to make jewellery can easily make after watching your tutorials.
Great video title. and....this guy!! just love him, so positive and generous with his knowledge. sharing is caring!
Thanks so much for your nice comment. 😀
I just Love you John! I'm a newbie lady smith, and all your videos have been so helpful! thank you!
Hi Tina, Welcome to the world of jewelry making. I'm glad that you're enjoying the OJA's videos. You might want to check out our paid courses on Udemy.com. There's a beginning course that covers a lot of ground. It involves making a silver and resin fashion necklace.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks. Great Video, fascinating process, and fun title!!
Thank you for the compliment.
Thank you for your sharing
That’s exciting what I needed to know. I just ran across my Rio box of borax. Thanks
Borax is great for a lot of processes in jewelry making that involve melting. For example, you use borax as a flux when you're melting metal in a crucible for casting. Glad you found the video helpful.
Thanks for your support Diane! : )
Yippee! Just in time for me to solder a bezel to a split shank that I made by following your video instructions. Very successful it helped me to be, too. I use a borax cone for all soldering but I'm thinking I will need to experiment with the liquid flux for high temperature solder as I am going to want to be soldering enamelled pieces in the not-too-distant future :-)
Hi Hilary, I'm glad that the videos have helped you to be successful with your creative projects. Just to give you a heads up, enameled elements are never soldered together after enameling. Other types of cold connections are used to join enameled pieces together. In fact, solder is something that is kept to a minimum on enamel designs. Enamel does not like to sit on top of solder. And, soldered pieces can come apart in the kiln if you're not careful.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks for this, Prof Ahr. I know very little about putting together pieces that include enamel so I'm soaking up all info. like a sponge. I've got as far as knowing about solder specially for enamel work, I've done a little, basic enamelling and am due to do more soon. I find your videos so clear and watch them regularly :-)
This is professional, thk u for getting to the point
Glad you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
Such a good teacher 👍
Thanks for the compliment. And, thank you for watching! 😀
Great video. Thanks for sharing you thoughts and ideas. I subbed.😎⛏⛏🔥🔥
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching! 😀
I think this was the first flux I learned about at my first soldering class. We just bought Prips as an experiment, though, so we'll see how that goes.
Hi Kim, Yes, the boric acid and denatured alcohol mixture is something that is pretty basic to silver soldering. But, it's important to include this sort of information in the overall OJA playlist. As you know, many of our viewers are novices with little or no other access to jewelry instruction.
Thanks for your continued support! : )
John, I am so grateful for this video- AND (not "but") I have to tell you ( and hope for some more clarification...) :every single class, video, book, teacher; ALL of them without exception, say to use the Boric acid/Denatured alcohol as a"firescale protectant. They have always instructed the method of adding a soldering flux at the join for the soldering operation. The paste (or other) flux is added to the join area on top of/in addition to, the firescale protectant method. Some questions after this video:
1) Whats with the connection with yellow ochre?(You didn't mention a peep about how or why on that statement.),
2) I always experience liquid flux puddling and going only in a limited area, unlike paste which stays where you put it with a brush, how to deal with that?
3) Does liquid flux cover the metal even though it rolls away and beads up?
4) What about the "other" homemade fluxes; like vinegar, salt, lemon juice.....etc.
5) What are the differences between the various fluxes? (like Pripps vs. My-T, and Handy vs. non-"handy flux" paste. What is black flux about? What about Harris "Stay-Silv Black Hi-Temp brazing flux" and "Grifflux #1"....etc. (not necessarily a "VS", like a competition, just want to know the hows and whys if possible. Lots of techie questions...help! Thanks so much Oh master!
Hi Gabby, Yes, the boric acid and denatured alcohol mixture is commonly used as a fire scale inhibitor. And yes, many jewelers use white paste flux in combination with it. BUT, it is a workable flux all on its own. Yellow ochre is used to help control the flow of solder. It is used primarily used in combination with paste solder. Liquid flux is going to flow with gravity. So, it is difficult to control where it goes. If you need total control of your flux/solder you should consider using a paste flux/solder combination the comes in a syringe. If you use liquid flux and it beads up, that is an indication that the metal isn't completely clean. You can remove surface grime and grease by pickling the item. You can learn more about various fluxes by reading the manufacturers descriptions online. And, I've never even seen black flux. I'll have to look into it. I hope this answers all of your questions.
Thanks for your support! : )
great! Also, I SCRUB!!! my silver and sand it - AND pickle it, and the liquid flux STILL beads up, believe me I know about clean and how it MUST be! Can you elaborate on the yellow ochre? I still know nothing more than that it is used as an anti-flux (why use a flux and an anti-flux in concert? Do you mix them up? and what for?). Like.... HOW is it used together with flux (and why), why not use it by itself. These are more in-depth questions. I do know the basics but want more (if you know), that's why I ask. I'm terribly sorry if my endless questions are annoying, I have today, I am positive others have these questions too and although for the most part, your channel is about the most basic techniques, all of us out here want to learn more and you, are a "professor!" (And we love and adore you!). Thanking you in advance!
Hi Gabby, There are many liquid flux brands on the market. The formulations vary between products. Perhaps the one you have is meant to have a high surface tension until heat is applied. I don't know without investigating it. But, when this happens to me, it's usually because there is grease on the metal surface. We do have a video on yellow ochre ruclips.net/video/L6XnoQ6NLGE/видео.html The video should help to explain how to successfully incorporate yellow ochre into your soldering. Sometime in the next two weeks, the OJA will be releasing a new "paid" course that you as a patron will have free access to. In it, I show you how to use yellow ochre on a real project. If you have any questions about the use of yellow ochre after you see the videos, please do not hesitate to ask.
As always, thank you for being a loyal supporter of the OJA. : )
Hi Professor John! Thank you so much for your great videos as always. I am just a little confused about something. I noticed in your other videos (for example, where you make a simple silver ring or the split shank) you do not cover the entire piece in flux, you simply apply it to the join to allow the solder to flow. Why is that? Is firescale not a concern in that situation? I am just trying to determine when I should be covering the entire piece in flux. Thanks again!
Some jewelers who work with silver will cover the entire piece with a combination of boric acid and denatured alcohol as a fire scale inhibitor. They will also use paste flux in spots where they intend to solder elements together. This video was intended to merely demonstrate that the boric acid and denatured alcohol combination act as a primitive flux. Unless a piece requires multiple heatings with the torch, I generally do not dip it into the boric acid and denatured alcohol slurry. This is because solder can potentially flow wherever there is flux. And, I tend to try to minimize my use of solder. Fire scale can be ameliorated a few ways. You can sand and polish it off of your piece. You can "frost" your piece to hide it. Or, you can simply silver plate the item. I hope this clears things up for you.
Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you good video
Hi Gary, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video.
Thanks for your support! : )
Gabby, yes I can make it myself, however, I addressed the question to Professor Ahr.
I have been doing a little bit of research on jewelry tonight. I did not know that there was a Gorham Manufacturing Company. I happen to live on Gorham Street in Lowell, MA.. So, I thought I would see, since I am working on a family tree, that is coming out quite nicely, if I am descended from Gorham. The first thing I did was type Gorham to see if it is already in my name base. It is. I only have 3. I didn't remember adding it as I have over 20,000 records. But, I was surprised to see that one of them is Jay Gorham McAhan. I thought that was so interesting since I saw your name tonight.
I worked at Jacob's Pillow one summer. I love Lowell, MA. Jay Gotham McAhan... Close but not quite AHR. : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy There have been so many name changes with one of my lines, it isn't funny. It might have been at one time.
If I use barrtens' flux without those little pieces that you used to joint the ring with the bezel, will it work as the same?
No. First, the flux you mentioned is for use with gold. Second, the “little pieces” are the solder pallions that melt, flow into the joints to bond them. I recommend that you watch the videos included in the soldering section of the OJA playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. 😀
Thank you have benefited a lot. Is the gas used butane ?? Thanks for your response
Sarahmody Fs Glad you’re enjoying the videos. Yes, The fuel used in the videos is butane. You can find a link to purchase a butane torch in the description to the video.🙂
What about good ole plumbing flux, can that be used. I want to cut a piece out of a gold ring and make it smaller.. I don't have flux but i do have the gold solder.. Also is it 100% necessary to even use flux if im just repairing a ring or two?
Plumbing flux is not formulated to withstand the temperatures required to solder gold. And, you do need to use flux for every soldering operation. Flux for gold is sold by every jewelry supply company. : )
Hi Professor ! Love your videos! I need to know if I can substitute denatured alcohol for isopropyl alcohol 70% for making the homemade flux? Thanks!
NO! Isopropyl alcohol should not be used in your boric acid slurry or in your alcohol lamp for waxing. It gives off bad fumes when it's combusted. You can find denatured alcohol at hardware stores and pharmacies. Good luck with your projects.
Thanks for your support! : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you so much Professor! I wasn’t using it, I just wanted to know if it can be an option. 👍🏼
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy it's banned in California though. What is the alternative?
@@twinkieandhoudini Denatured alcohol is not banned in the State of California. You can find it at any hardware store and most pharmacies.
Some suggest using boric acid and alcohol as a "pre-flux", rather than as a final flux. That is: dip in the pre-flux, then apply your flux of choice over top. Professor Ahr, can you give your thoughts on this? (note that as a pre-flux it seems more alcohol is used so the mixture is thinner than what would be considered a slurry)
Hi Susan, Your comments are correct. That is how the boric acid and denatured alcohol mixture is commonly used. It is, however, a workable flux on its own as well. If you have a better term to describe the consistency of the mixture other than "slurry" I'd like to know what it is.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, Professor Ahr! Thank you for your reply. To clarify, I was not suggesting slurry was not the correct term for your mixture - to me it perfectly describes the consistency to aim for when using boric acid/alcohol as the only flux. My question was that I wondered, and did not communicate well, is whether or not when using it as a pre-flux or barrier flux (i.e. used before applying a final flux such as Handy Flux) do I need to thin down the slurry consistency somewhat? ps I love watching your videos - your enthusiasm is delightful and your videos are helpful!
Hi Susan, I was catching up on answering comments after recovering from a two week long flu. Sorry I misread your question (and was a little cranky). No, you do not need to add extra alcohol to the mixture if you are using it as a pre-flux. If you add too much alcohol the mixture will not allow enough of the boric acid to adhere to your piece(s) to be effective. The OJA has a video on preventing fire scale at: ruclips.net/video/YpEi4v-7QPw/видео.html
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi John, curious if I can use rubbing alcohol? thx!
No. I said propyl alcohol gives off noxious fumes when it is combusted.
I want to know if Ronda Coryell's argenitum purple flux, which has far less surface tension and therefore coats your piece far better, can be used for regular sterling silver. gold, and copper. ALSO, unrelated, but I would love to know how to prevent gold from turning green in the pickle. Mostly I work in silver, but when I soldered a piece of 18k gold wire onto a silver piece, the gold took on a greenish hue which I figured was just something like silver from the pickle getting onto the surface of the gold, but even when I sanded it, the green seemed to be quite deep. I read in an old article that this happens because the gold wasn't properly fluxed (and perhaps the silver in the alloy was raising to the surface), but here again, it should have been easy to sand off, like a raised fine silver surface on a piece of sterling silver, no?
From what I have read online, the flux you mentioned can be used for a wide variety of applications. I recommend that you experiment with it to see how you like to work with it. As to why your gold turned green, I believe that you weren't working with real 18k gold. You might want to test the rest of your 18k to see if it truly up to the standards of 18k. 😀
Do you have to tumble your jewellery? Are there other ways of doing it without a tumbler?
The OJA has a number of videos on how to polish or apply other finishes to your work. You’ll find our videos organized by category on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. But, tumbling is an easy way to give your work a shine. 😀
Thanks alot
Glad you liked the video. Thanks for watching Black Hat! 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Sure lm an amateur jeweler here in south afrika and your videos are going to be a big help!
@@blackhat9062 Cool 😎. So glad you found the OJA.
Love your videos, Been watching for the last year.
I do recommend it is time to upgrade your camera to HD or 4K
Everything looks low detail and out of focus.
Xoxo
Glad you've been enjoying our videos. The OJA makes improvements to its productions based on the financial support we receive from our supporters. With limited ad revenues and contributions we do the best that we can.
Thanks for your support! : )
What is the best flux when working with copper?
I recommend using a white paste flux. Here's a link: amzn.to/2S3QxqS 😀
Hi Professor Ahr, how do you make that bezel? Was is made by you or did you buy it premade? Also, do you know if I can buy that same kind of bezel wire with that beautifully made detail of skinny twisted wire?
You cxan MAKE it yourself! It'll make a better jeweler out of you!
Hi Ingrid, There are several videos in the OJA playlist that discuss bezel wire options and how to use them. You can find the complete OJA playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com The bezel wire I used to create the bezel used in the video that you posted your comment to is a decorative step bezel wire. It features a "beaded" detail not a twisted wire detail. You can find decorative bezel wire online from many jewelry supply companies.
Thanks for your support! : )
Oops, the other homemade "fluxes, are actually homemade pickle, sorry about that.
wheres your "ventilation" video?
You can find the OJA's video on how to make a simple ventilation system on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com The video is grouped with our other safety videos.
Thanks for your support! : )
thanks a bunch.
It’s still on RUclips. “Venting In The Jewelry Lab”
You could use a pipette to place the flux
It might be a little messy to use a pipette. But, give it a try. : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy it definitely wouldn't give the same even reaction to the torch a full dunk does. I'm very new, so I don't know all the terminology yet. Would it be fire scale?
I'm really glad I happened upon your video by accident! Your content seems fantastic! And thank you for replying
Glad you found the OJA Rocki. The OJA has videos about fire scale. You can find the complete playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com
You still remind me of my old boss haha
I hope you like your former boss. 😀
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy He was great, now a days you're looking way cooler than him hahaha but you guys are similar. You're a legend, thanks for all these videos they're the best.
so, where does the ochre come in to play?
Hi Geoff, The OJA has a video on how to use yellow ochre. ruclips.net/video/L6XnoQ6NLGE/видео.html It comes into play when you want to restrict the flow of solder. It's most commonly used with white paste flux. This is because you can control the placement of the ochre and the flux. You can also use yellow ochre on previously soldered seams to prevent them from reflowing or depleting when you solder another element nearby.
Thanks for your support! : )
Hi sir I’m also Jewellery manufacturer
So can I get your contact. it’s great to work and learn myself also can do something in future with you
Thanks for your knowledge shearing
Glad you’re enjoying the videos. Thanks for watching! Good luck with your future work ventures. I’ll have to pass on exploring those opportunities with you. 🙂
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy
Thank you sir
I’m really happy that because everyone waiting for their opportunity I can export any number of silver jewelry with natural stone.with your kind support .
@@ammrikaz5131 To be crystal clear, I am not going to be part of your business in the future. Best of luck. 🍀