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TIPS FOR SOLDERING JEWELRY

TIPS FOR SOLDERING JEWELRY

Corkie Bolton Corkie Bolton
07/01/2019 12:19pm 24 minute read

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If you are looking for some great beginner tips for soldering jewelry look no further! Over the years here at Metalsmith Society we have shared some awesome soldering tips and I have compiled some of my favorites below.

Here is a tip for holding your cross-locking tweezers with binder clips from @marionwild

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Here is a soldering tip from @marionwild - “I use binder clips on the ends of cross locking tweezers for help with soldering things in place. I prefer this over the swivel base because it’s using gravity to keep the tweezers in place, making pressure on the solder point. I find that I have more successful solders this way, vs trying to line up the tweezers using the swivel base. This method works great for those new to soldering earring posts as well.” Thank you so much for sharing this with us!! Also love your set up here for production! I just wanted to mention if you’ve sent me a tip and I haven’t responded (yet) I am trying to get to all my emails but also don’t be discouraged and please keep sending me tips! It helps the page go another day 😄🙏 Corkie@metalsmithsociety.com hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!! #solderingtip #metalsmithsociety #benchtips #jewelrymakingtips

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SOLDERING NEST FROM @mothersonthemountainjewelry

SOLDERING A JUMPRING TO A CHAIN WITH SCRAP METAL AS A HEAT SINK FROM @Becca.compton

PAPERCLIP TWEEZERS FOR SOLDERING EARRING POSTS FROM 
@irenezaerajoyas

USING VARIOUS STEEL ITEMS TO PROVIDE A LITTLE LIFT WHILE SOLDERING FROM @amyy50

TECHNIQUE FOR KEEPING DECORATIVE WIRE IN PLACE DURING SOLDERING FROM @thesovereigncrow

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Here is an awesome solution for keeping decorative elements in place while soldering from @thesovereigncrow - ““ I make a lot of wide bands fabricated with various wire soldered to sheet. It’s hard to get wire to lay perfectly flat when soldering down so that is where these Knew Concepts titanium solder strips come in so handy! They can be bent, filed and shaped for many other cool purposes but I use them mostly for this. They are not heat sinks either which is great. There are a bunch of cool YouTube video showing various uses. Totally worth the $20 bucks!” This looks like an awesome solution! Thank you so much for sharing!! #metalsmith #jewelrytools #soldering #solderingjewelry #knewconcepts #riograndejeweler

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USING WOLF CLAY AS A SOLDERING PROP TO POSITION PIECES AND AS A HEAT PROTECT

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For this #tooltalktuesday I wanted to talk about Kate Wolf’s Soldering Clay (shoutouts to @katemallerjewelry who recommended this game changer to me) + a tip for holding things while you solder (it also protects elements from moving and from heat) - a product that is straight up wizardry. As you can see in the video it’s got the consistency of clay. You can mold into any shape, in this instance it allowed me to create a little pillow for the top of my ring. This particular ring has 18k wires soldered (which have been balled) to the top so it’s hard to get it nice and level on its own so this clay is the perfect solution! Then I was able to solder my ring and all the while the gold part of the ring is also being protected from the heat. Once it cools it comes right off. I clean with a little soap and water so I don’t get the clay in my pickle and then pickle as usual. I can’t even, there are so many uses for this stuff. I bought mine from Ronda Coryell’s website. #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytools #soldering #solderingjewelry

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SOLDERING FINE CHAIN TO A JUMPRING (WITHOUT MELTING) FROM @thebenchmarkcollection

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Here is a phenomenal breakdown of how to solder fine chain to a jump ring from @thebenchmarkcollection -“Step 1: cut jump rings with a slight gap if you can’t link it into the chain, place around chain a couple links down (this example is a 1mm box chain) Step 2: place a small ball of solder on jump ring on either side of chain Step 3: solder jump ring, focusing the heat on the ring instead of the chain. Feather the heat to draw it slightly together, flip and repeat! Finishing: After a pickel, I take a thin cylindrical cross-cut burr to remove excess solder - take a knife-edge miracle gold to smooth everything out -take an extra-fine radial wheel to shine up the chain and end, holding the chain tightly in my fingers and being very gentle with the radial* ***be careful here, it’s easy to tangle chain in the flexshaft this way!” CHECK OUT THAT BEFORE AND AFTER 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 thank you so much for sharing this Jal!! #metalsmithsociety #jewelrymakingtipoftheday #solderingchain

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USING LINES ON YOUR SOLDERING BOARD TO ENSURE ALIGNMENT FROM  @pyrus_designs

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Here is an amazing tip to help ensure your pieces are centered and aligned while soldering from @pyrus_designs - “On the flat side of a honeycomb soldering block, draw grid lines with a fine point sharpie marker to help you line up your pieces symmetrically. The sharpie lines hold up pretty well to the heat but do fade and will need touching up. Taking the time to draw them on is worth it in time saved by getting clean angles the first time!” YASSSS 🙌 so helpful when soldering a nail or making sure production pieces are uniform! I so appreciate you sharing this 🙏🏻 If you have a trick or tip for soldering please reach out! Nothing is too simple and it’s important to show many different techniques as not everything works for everyone ☺️ #metalsmithsociety #solderingtips #jewelrymaking #jewelrymakingtipoftheday

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POSITIONING A JUMPRING OR BAIL FOR SOLDERING FROM 
@umyajewelry

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Here is a technique to help you position elements like bails and jumprings while soldering from @umyajewelry - “Using anything pointy (like a nail or a file), you can easily carve out a line of the desired depth, length and width into a *soft* charcoal block. By keeping the indentation a little bit tight for your jump ring, it will stay right in place without the need of a third hand! This trick can be very useful if you have a special design requiring, for example, two jump rings with a specific distance in between. Simply carve the indentations at the right distance on your charcoal block. You will be able to easily solder your two jump rings right were you need.” This is such a fantastic tip! Thank you so much for sharing!! Thank you to everyone who has been tagging friends and helping our community grow! ❤️👊#metalsmithsociety #jewelrytipoftheday #solderingjewelry #makingjewelry

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USING A WOODEN DAPPING BLOCK FILLED WITH WATER TO PROTECT A STONE WHILE SOLDERING A REPAIR FROM @sarah.jackson.jewellery 

USING COPPER PENNIES (PRIOR TO 1982) TO LIFT ELEMENTS WHILE SOLDERING FROM @kkbmetalstudio

PREVENTING SOLDER FLOW WITH RONDA CORYELL'S MASKING MUD FROM @knotandsplice 

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When you want to prevent solder from flowing into a design you’ve stamped, or prevent a previously soldered element from flowing use this tip from @knotandsplice (and thank you to other members of the community that have mentioned this stuff in comments 🙏🏻😘)-“Ronda Cornell’s masking mud from @Riogrande (the video shows how I brush it on, let it dry, then I solder as usual). I use a small brush to paint on an area where I don’t want solder to reflow (it works similarly to white-out except white-out is super toxic to breathe in when heated). This is a more natural, safer solution. It’s especially helpful on the backs of rings where the hallmark is super close to where the ring needs to be joined to the setting...the masking mud keeps the solder from flowing where you don’t want it to. Just be careful not to get any on the area you’re trying to solder because it won’t let the solder flow properly. :) this container will last anywhere from 6 months to 1 year or more depending on how much soldering one does...I use it on any piece with a lot of joints or close spaces where there’s no room for error. :) “ thank you so much for sharing this! I have been using white out occasionally and was definitely looking for a more natural product! #jewelrycommunity #metalsmithsociety #metalsmithsocietytips #benchjeweler #ladysmith #instasmithy

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SECURING ITEMS WHILE SOLDERING FROM @auldmoon

USING A SPLIT MANDREL TO SOLDER A SPLITSHANK EVENLY FROM @meritmade

USING VIGOR HEAT SHIELD TO PROTECT CLASPS WHILE SOLDERING CHAIN 

USING GRAPHITE PENCIL LEADS INSIDE A HINGE WHILE SOLDERING FROM @elmharris

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Amazing hinge tip from @elmharris - “I use graphite pencil leads to keep the hinge knuckles in place and to keep the inside of the knuckles “dirty” so solder doesn’t flow inside. I also paint a little rouge or white out (the green label, water based one with good ventilation!!) in between each knuckle top so solder doent stick them together at the top- that part isn’t pictured though.” 🤯 she also has different gauge of the lead@so she can always get a snug fit! Thank you so much for sharing this! I know many of us find hinges intimidating! If you have more hinge tips DM me, I need all the help I can get 😉🙏🏻😘 #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytipoftheday #jewelryprocess #soldering #solderingtips #benchjeweler #etchedjewelry #ladysmith #🤯

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MAKING BALLS IN A CHARCOAL BRICK FROM 
@studiojulessilversmith

USING A PIECE OF FIREBRICK AND CHIL GEL TO PROTECT A STONE WHILE SOLDERING FROM @andreabjewelry

USING GLASS BEADS TO POSITION HINGES DURING SOLDERING FROM @sophiabrand

CREATING A PRONG HOLDER FOR SOLDERING FROM 
@mirieldesign 

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Here is an incredible prong setting tip from @mirieldesign - “Drill holes in a scrap metal plate (any metal works), and use that to hold prongs when soldering the setting together. Set a caliper to draw a circle first, mark off the distance between the prongs, drill the holes the same size as the prongs, so they stay put when you stick them in the little holes. Taper the ends, bend them towards the middle, and solder together.” 🤯 She also drew a wonderful picture to help visually explain how to file and taper the prongs before you solder and the final photo shows a gorgeous ring (in which she used this method to create her setting 😏) thank you so much for sharing this great tip! 🙏🏻💕 #Metalsmithsociety #prongsetting #prongsettingtip #jewelrytipoftheday #solderingtip #soldering #stonesetting #jewelrycommunity #studiojewelry #benchjeweler

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WHEN MELTING BALLS, ANGLE YOUR BRICK AND LET THEM DROP INTO WATER FROM @sinead_cleary_jewelry

USING CLAY AS AN ANTI-FLOW FROM @lindablumelstudio

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Here is a tip for preventing solder from flowing from @lindablumelstudio - “I use clay as an anti-flow! It’s a fairly fine, white stoneware. A darker clay would probably stain the metal the same way yellow ochre does, (iron). I just paint it on, it air dries just like yellow ochre, but I can also heat it with the torch before it’s dry and it dries quickly that way! 😉😜 Basically you use exactly the same as yellow ochre. 👍🏼” Thanks for sharing your technique Linda! Every time we discuss anti-flows, white out comes up and the fumes can be very toxic so I like this alternative! Regardless of what you use always solder with safety precautions: ventilation (or a respirator) #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytipoftheday #jewelrymaking #jewelrystudent #metalsmith

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USING A SMALL HONEYSOMB WITH PINS FOR POSITIONING WORK FROM @shinynotions

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Here is a technique for holding a bail in place while soldering from @shinynotions - “I use a honeycomb soldering board with pins. Pins help hold the pieces in place and you can put some under the metal to lift if needed.” Thank you @youmnaelsabry who also sent me a picture of this solution 😄 These honeycombs have become one of my favorite surfaces for soldering! Thank you so much to all of you who continue to reach out to share your tips! I am always looking, and I love to share different techniques for accomplishing the same thing. If you have a tip you’d like to share with the community, please email me corkie@metalsmithsociety.com please include images, a caption explaining the tip and your IG handle so I can credit you! 🙌 #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytipoftheday #solderingjewelry #communityovercompetition

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USING A POTATO AS A HEAT PROTECTANT FROM @makeitkimtoday

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If you need an inexpensive heat protectant or prop for soldering, use this tip from @makeitkimtoday - “Potatoes can be a useful addition to your soldering set up. They can be used as heat sinks to keep elements cooler while soldering such as pushing a setting into the potato while soldering other elements on. Potatoes are also great for supporting work while soldering. You can carve into it to hold pieces at specific distances and angles and even carve bits of potato off to expose more of your jewellery or to build up extra support under parts of your design. Potatoes are cheap, easily accessible and smell like chips when they start to 'cook' under the blowtorch 😂” Thank you for sharing this 🙏 Over four years ago I had a really hard repair on a piece with an opal and I was so desperate I reached out to my old coworker @hnossdesign and she suggested I use a potato as a heat protect and IT WORKED. This genuinely inspired me later on to start Metalsmith Society, so that people could connect to share those tips (nothing proprietary) but things that would help each other out. 💓 Look at us now! We are all killin it! #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytipoftheday

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USING A TRIVET TO SOLDER BEZELS AND HEAT FROM BELOW

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Here is a technique for soldering your bezels or smaller details to a piece without melting - focus your torch flame on your base and heat from below! You can even try a sweat solder (melt solder onto your base, pickle, sand slightly and then place the bezel or smaller items on top) - I absolutely love the @knew_concepts Titanium Soldering Trivet for these kinds of jobs. I used to use a traditional tripod with a steel screen but these little trivets take up way less space! I’ve used them for a bunch of different projects to support my work, even just a quick anneal. You can find these awesome trivets at Otto Frei (ottofrei.com) and they are offering our community 5% off your entire order (oh heyyyyy) with code MMS719 😄 #sponsored #ottofrei #ottofreitools #metalsmithsociety #jewelrytools

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USING YOUR TWEEZERS AS A HEAT SINK WHILE SOLDERING A CHAIN FROM @lumenrosejewelry

PENCIL TO PREVENT SOLDER FLOW FROM @nrjewellerydesign 

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Here is a tip to prevent solder flow from @nrjewellerydesign - “A pencil is all you need to stop messy solder overflow. It's perfect for when you need to solder bails - just gently 'colour in' either side of the piece (avoiding the edge where you want the solder to flow). The pencil will leave a barrier that prevents solder flow. I like to use a TINY blob of solder paste on the edge and it works like a charm. No messy solder to clean up and the pencil can be wiped off when it comes out the pickle pot.” Thank you so much for sending me the pics of this technique! This is something I know many members of the community have mentioned and if you are one of those people THANK YOU 🙏 I appreciate all of you that generously share your time and knowledge! Hope everyone has an awesome friday!! #metalsmithsociety #jewelrymaking #jewelrymakingtips #solderingtips

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USING BROKEN HONEYCOMB BOARD TO POSITION A PIECE FOR SOLDERING FROM @brackendesigns

DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR SOLDERING SURFACES

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For this #tooltalktuesday I wanted to discuss the most common SOLDERING SURFACES (to the best of my knowledge :) First we will discuss the honeycomb soldering board. They are lightweight and have tons of tiny holes, they don’t retain heat and cool quickly. They do reflect heat back onto whatever you are soldering which makes your flame more effective, this does mean you might have slightly more residue and oxidation. They are an ideal choice for soldering most projects except tiny things (which can fall through the holes) this constantly happens with my solder as well. They also make the small circular honeycombs with pins (those come in large and small and that refers to the hole size) and we’ve shown a bunch of tips with those, I love em! Charcoal is another option, they are also heat reflective. Charcoal is great for carving grooves to position small elements into, or sticking pins and binding wire into. For example, if you want to create a perfect ball, create a depression in the charcoal, fill it with scrap, and heat it until it balls. The downside of charcoal is that it is crumbly and will crack when heated. To make a charcoal block last longer, wrap the edges with binding wire and anneal the entire thing before use. The annealing step is thought to stabilize the charcoal. I tend to use hard charcoal as it’s more long lasting! Lastly I own a Solderite Board (calcium silicate) these boards are more dense so they don’t break or flake as easily. I find mine rapidly cools so it can be good for soldering smaller elements that I don’t want to melt. I don’t find myself using it for soldering larger things for that I prefer honeycomb or charcoal. You can also stick pins into solderite boards or even pieces of metal (like prongs) so great for positioning work. Below all of this stuff I have a solid ceramic board, this protects my soldering table and I place my solder on it (hard on one side, medium on the other). Thank you to @benchtooljunkies whose subscription box in February included several soldering surface options and inspired the post! What’s your favorite, what questions do you have? Let us know! #metalsmithsociety #solderingtools #solderingjewelry

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I hope you have found these tips incredibly useful. If you are looking for more tips be sure to check out my book, Metalsmith Society's guide To Jewelry Making. You can purchase a signed copy from the Society Shop where you can also find some awesome merch!

Metalsmith Society's Guide To Jewelry making book

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