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There is a great way of doing very complex and repeated solderings in one go. This very important method uses casting and soldering investment is to set up multiple solderings at once. The idea is that you take clay (I prefer real clay, not plasticine - less oil and grease present to impede soldering) and make a 'bed' of it, a slab. Some people like to use a soft wax like 'BonBell' wax that covers small round cheeses instead of clay.... (2005) Complete Story
Medical hemostats and forceps make good clips for wire solder. Soldering clips for soldering work may be made from cotter pins, coat hanger wire, piano wire, steel strapping or old clock springs. These may be used to hold parts together.... (1997) Complete Story
Fire scale or fire stain is a reddish purple toned 'bloom' or 'stain' that appears on silver/copper alloys such as sterling silver when they are heated in the presence of oxygen. It even occurs in gold alloys with high copper contents. As it generally appears in the form of blotchy patches following abrasive polishing it is seen as a blemish which destroys the clear reflectivity of finished silver surfaces.... (1990) Complete Story
Soldering is probably the most commonly used and least understood operation performed in the jewelry industry. Most jewelers know how to solder a joint closed, as well as join parts together, but if asked what is happening in the process, few are able to provide a good explanation. This is the difference between knowing 'how' and knowing 'what.' Knowing 'how' enables you to perform the operation. Knowing 'what' allows you to solve problems when things don't work the way they're supposed to work.... (2004) Complete Story
