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Soldering Gold and Platinum?
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Yeah Right
Feb 4, 2001, 2:09:03 AM2/4/01
to
I'm a complete novice, never made Jewelry but the idea intrigues me alot.
I'm an ex machinist so not totally unfamiliar with any of the tools used ;-)
Anyway I'm a bit flummoxed, what type of solder is used for soldering Gold,
platinum and silver such as when making Rings from foot long rectangular
blanks I see for sale on occassion? Thank You.
I'm an ex machinist so not totally unfamiliar with any of the tools used ;-)
Anyway I'm a bit flummoxed, what type of solder is used for soldering Gold,
platinum and silver such as when making Rings from foot long rectangular
blanks I see for sale on occassion? Thank You.
PHILLIP PRATT
Feb 4, 2001, 4:27:27 PM2/4/01
to
OK, I am intrigued. Foot long rectanular blanks???!! The solder part is
easy. Precious metals refiners and suplliers alloy the various metals to
lower their melting points to just below that of the metal used in the
ring. This is used as solder to join the parts together. Most solders come
in hard, medium and easy flowing, so that you can use a 1700 degree solder
on one joint and use a 1300 degree solder next to it and not loosen the
first join. Each metal you mentioned will need it's own set of solders. You
cannot use platinum solder on gold, gold melts into a puddle before you
reach the flow point of platinum solder. There is much to learn, it is a
fascinating hobby and IMHO a satisfying career. If you want to learn more,
Tim MacCreights book "The Complete Metalsmith" is a good place to start.
Good luck, Marggi
easy. Precious metals refiners and suplliers alloy the various metals to
lower their melting points to just below that of the metal used in the
ring. This is used as solder to join the parts together. Most solders come
in hard, medium and easy flowing, so that you can use a 1700 degree solder
on one joint and use a 1300 degree solder next to it and not loosen the
first join. Each metal you mentioned will need it's own set of solders. You
cannot use platinum solder on gold, gold melts into a puddle before you
reach the flow point of platinum solder. There is much to learn, it is a
fascinating hobby and IMHO a satisfying career. If you want to learn more,
Tim MacCreights book "The Complete Metalsmith" is a good place to start.
Good luck, Marggi
Yeah Right wrote in message ...
NE333RO
Feb 4, 2001, 4:27:19 PM2/4/01
to
>Anyway I'm a bit flummoxed, what type of solder is used for soldering Gold,
>platinum and silver such as when making Rings from foot long rectangular
>blanks I see for sale on occassion?
>platinum and silver such as when making Rings from foot long rectangular
>blanks I see for sale on occassion?
Different types of solder for different kinds of jobs. Different types of
solders for different kinds of metals. You need to be considerably more
explicit as to what you are using, and planning on doing.
sgm
Feb 4, 2001, 4:27:23 PM2/4/01
to
Hi,
You use special formula gold solder to solder gold.
It has a lower melting point than the work.
There are different carat solders availble for 9, 14, and 18K
jewellery.
Platinum soldering is very difficult.
The solder melts at only a few degrees less that the work.
If you want a supplier ask Paul Stephenson at his show in Beckenham
England.
http://www.walshbrothers.co.uk
And click Email
Steve
Yeah Right
Feb 5, 2001, 11:54:38 PM2/5/01
to
Thanx for the info. Sounds like avooding platinum is for me ;-)
Or using Silver solder.
Or using Silver solder.
Wooding
Feb 5, 2001, 11:54:34 PM2/5/01
to
The process for all the precious metals is the same as brazing or silver
soldering. The idea is to use a solder of the same purity as the metal to be
soldered, but with a lower melting point. Most of the solders come in
various grades that relate to their melting points; for example: E (easy)
lowest MP, M (medium) and H(hard) highest MP.
Silver and its solders is normally available as Sterling (.925 pure) and
Britannia (.9584 pure).
Gold is available in various purities denoted by carats. N carat gold is
N/24 pure, so 18ct is 18/24 = .750 pure.
Platinum, in UK, is .95 pure.
When soldering silver, and gold less than 18ct, a suitable flux is needed.
Normal engineering type silver solder flux can be used, but special
commercial preparations are usually more convenient. High carat gold and
platinum can be soldered without a flux.
The very high temperature required for soldering platinum usually rules it
out unless suitable equipment is available. Whereas the melting points of
most gold and silver solders are around 800C or less (well within the range
of ordinary gas/air torches), that of platinum ranges from 950C to around
1600C.
I hope this helps.
--
soldering. The idea is to use a solder of the same purity as the metal to be
soldered, but with a lower melting point. Most of the solders come in
various grades that relate to their melting points; for example: E (easy)
lowest MP, M (medium) and H(hard) highest MP.
Silver and its solders is normally available as Sterling (.925 pure) and
Britannia (.9584 pure).
Gold is available in various purities denoted by carats. N carat gold is
N/24 pure, so 18ct is 18/24 = .750 pure.
Platinum, in UK, is .95 pure.
When soldering silver, and gold less than 18ct, a suitable flux is needed.
Normal engineering type silver solder flux can be used, but special
commercial preparations are usually more convenient. High carat gold and
platinum can be soldered without a flux.
The very high temperature required for soldering platinum usually rules it
out unless suitable equipment is available. Whereas the melting points of
most gold and silver solders are around 800C or less (well within the range
of ordinary gas/air torches), that of platinum ranges from 950C to around
1600C.
I hope this helps.
--
Gary Wooding
"Yeah Right" <midgaar...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
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