Maybe you don't need to put the sliver in? What purpose does it serve if you have a good joint? I haven't done it, but I know that people fuse fine silver (apparently doesn't work with sterling silver) and people who forge weld iron, by heating it and hammering it. I think the flux is necessary it keeps the hot metal from oxidizing, but maybe not with platinum because platinum, at least in its pure state is unreactive.
Kind of all depends on how you work. It’s always good to know many different techniques.
New camera Woo! 🎉
Argentium silver fuses better, but I remember when I did it I came to the same conclusion: makes the surface wonky at best. Like you said "too risky".
Maybe you don't need to put the sliver in? What purpose does it serve if you have a good joint? I haven't done it, but I know that people fuse fine silver (apparently doesn't work with sterling silver) and people who
forge weld iron, by heating it and hammering it. I think the flux is necessary it keeps the hot metal from oxidizing, but maybe not with platinum because platinum, at least in its pure state is unreactive.
Flux is a good idea. Blacksmiths use flux when hammer welding iron.
There is no need to use a flux when it comes to platinum as it does not oxidise