Avoid Using EZ or Medium Solder

Рет қаралды 5,896

5 жыл бұрын

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When it comes to soldering, every jeweler strives for perfection. But did you know that you could be jeopardizing the appearance and future of your work by using medium and easy solder? In this video, Professor John Ahr of the Online Jewelry Academy explains when and where the various types of solder should be used.
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Пікірлер: 31

@wendyannh 5 жыл бұрын

I’m glad I watched this video even though I thought I knew the answer! I never knew that medium and easy solder were a bit more yellow - or that hard solder behaves that way! I was always taught that using hard for more than one or two joins could be problematic. It’s lovely to know that that is not necessarily the case!

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Wendy, I'm glad that I was able to teach you a couple of things today. Thanks for watching. And, thanks for your support! : )

@ceafva 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this explanation. I worked with a professional jewelry for 5 years and he only used hard solder, well 98% of the time, there were some exceptions. No one I know of on the Net has talked about the yellowing aspects, more clean up usually too, about using medium and easy. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Catherine, I'm glad that you liked the video. Thanks for your support! : )

@Elizabeth-kq5wi 5 жыл бұрын

I learned something new today. About the color of the solder. Thanks

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Glad I could teach you something new. As they say, "never stop learning." Thanks for your support! : )

@randysmithfabrications2731 5 жыл бұрын

Great advice!!!

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

@soulfiregirl3039 5 жыл бұрын

Very helpful!

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

@ConTheDon187 2 жыл бұрын

good tip!

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! 😀

@flyingcheff 5 жыл бұрын

HI John, I want to first off thank you for ANSWERING questions, many KZfaq channels make videos and accept comments but seldom if ever answer the questions that are generated. So, yay for you! I am wondering if this idea of using only hard applies to gold solder too? As there is no zinc in gold solder, only copper and silver (as far as I have heard). The very (extremely) few bits of info that I have managed to desperately scrounge about gold soldering, usually Medium or Soft (easy) is used. Interesting.......

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Gaby, Whether you're working with silver or gold, it's best to use hard solder for most of your solder joints. This is because hard solder is alloyed to match the color of the parent metal more closely than medium and easy. Also, it has the highest melting temperature which increases as the material alloys with the parent metal. As I often tell students, it's best to leave medium and easy solders available for the next jeweler to use for repairs. Good luck with your gold projects. Thanks for your support! : )

@crystalfabulous 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Diane, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )

@Marifletch 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Professor Ahr. Awesome video as usual. I do have a question about solder. Let's say I've tried to solder a bezel to a backplate...and it didn't take, so I quench, put the piece in the pickle...and take it out and see bits of solder floating around in the pickle. Is that solder sitting in the pickle therefore spent, or can it be used again?

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 4 жыл бұрын

Hi! Glad you liked the video. The solder that came off of your piece in the pickle pot isn't done. If you can fish it out, you can reuse it. In fact, one of the reasons why solder sometimes doesn't flow is because it's covered with oxides. If you cut up a lot of solder and store it in a box that isn't air tight, it will tarnish. To clean it, dump the tiny solder pieces into the toe of a nylon stocking and toss them in your pickle pot. You can neutralize them, dry them on a paper towel, and put them back in the box when you're done. : )

@Marifletch 4 жыл бұрын

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy Thank you so much for your help and the nylon tip! You truly are the best. - Marilyn

@randymurray934 4 жыл бұрын

What about when making gold items.. Do these steps apply the same? I was wanting to make a 14k bezel for a pamp credit suisse. using this solder (14k Yellow Gold Plumb Wire Solder Super Easy Flow temperature: 1165 °F ,Melt temperature: 1100°F) Would this route be incorrect - should i use a medium or hard solder?

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 4 жыл бұрын

You should start with hard solder. Medium and easy solder are generally reserved for close connections or repairs.

@copperbeech61 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you John. What do i use to solder brass? Can i use silver solder or copper solder or does it have to be brass soder? Thank you.

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

I recommend that you use silver solder. Just be sure to control where it flows so that you don't mess up your brass surface. Thanks for your support! : )

@copperbeech61 5 жыл бұрын

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy i really appreciate it. Much love to you John.

@dominikraphaelpascallinden4905 5 жыл бұрын

Hi John, thanks for your contribution to the world of jewellery, i got a question; since 1000s of years, jewellers have made small filigrane stuff with Gold, Silver, Copper, Brass, etc. But they didn't have the hardware store to get solder or flux, neither a torch or same, how did they solder such a filigrane work that well, what did they use, is there a naturally alternativ to comercial solder and flux? I just bought for a few thousand of euros all the equipment, Acetylene and Oxygen burner, gold roller, basically everything u can get on the market, i just couldn't find some frigging normal silver or gold solder in the German internet, i endet up spending 40 euro for some solder wich is actually just for steel but it has 55% of silver in it, i would like to get some chains and rings soldered that i made so far, but now i have everything, but i cant solder, LIFE IS WEIRD; HEHEHEHEH: Maybe u could do a video on this stuff, explaining how jewellers 1000 years ago did they're work with the stuff they had, Thanks John, Good Luck and Greetings from Germany. Ps. about 25 km away from me, there is a valley and a river called "Ahr", maybe u have German ancestors, ; )

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Dominik, You are the first person who has ever told me that they were aware of the Ahr river. Yes, I probably have some German ancestors on my father's side of the family. The ancients would use charcoal fires to fuse gold together. Silver filigree has evolved since the introduction of steel tools in the middle ages. Prior to that there was no easy way to make wire. You could alloy your own solder. There are instructions no how to do it both online and in many jewelry books. Since you can purchase it online, you might want to try making your own. Be sure to follow all of the safety precautions. Good luck! Thanks for your support! : )

@eivindkofod1774 5 жыл бұрын

Hi, John Ahr, I have for years done like you trying to do everything the hard way as I also have learnt - like you - that the alloying proces in fact is what makes the seam hang together. However, one thing is theory another - seemingly - bad experience. If I have a long hard solder (no pronunciation required) joint it seems to open up during prolonged soldering. Example: I made a few weeks ago a sphere, nicely soldered along equator, and holes at the poles. Then I added some decorations, which did give me some challenges. The sphere therefore was heated repeatedly. And there was a bit of a faultline developing along equator. (remember from earlier mails, I virtually live on equator, so no active faultline here please). The nice, tight joint became like a narrow gully. Can you tell me, what I may be doing wrong? It has happened on other projects too. Greetings from a dark, but starry, night on Borneo.

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

What you are experiencing is seam depletion. This happens when a piece is reheated and there is insufficient solder along the seem to keep the seam shut. The solder essentially alloys completely with the parent metal and doesn't bridge the seam any longer. You can prevent this by adding solder to the seam with each reheating. Good luck!

@eivindkofod1774 5 жыл бұрын

@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thanks.

@shootsteel 5 жыл бұрын

John, they say that England and the US are two nations divided by the same language ,and I know that many on your side of the pond say that Brits invented English, but the Americans perfected it. That doesn't stop it grating on every nerve when I hear our American cousins say "sodder", instead of "solder", pronounced as "sold-er". Still great content though. Keep up the good work.

@OnlineJewelryAcademy 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Paul, I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. You're not the first of my British cousins to comment on my American-English pronunciation. Some have even complained that I spell jewelry incorrectly. Oh well. Thanks for your support! : )