Soldering 201: Soldering and Working with Argentium Silver
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- Join industry favorite and Argentium® Silver expert Ronda Coryell as she presents tips and tricks on working with Argentium® Silver. Part of Rio Grande’s soldering tutorial series, this segment addresses soldering, annealing, fusing, making homemade pickle, choosing a flux and hallmarking your Argentium® patterns.
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Long-Life Hard Charcoal Blocks ow.ly/rs7x50FGj1P
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Argentium® Silver 6" Sheet, Dead-Soft ow.ly/Gxz750FGjq1
Argentium® Silver Round Jump Rings ow.ly/b5BI50FGjDh
Hands-Free Tweezers Assortment with Third-Hand Base ow.ly/5EzV50FGjxq
Marking Stamp, "935," Straight Shank ow.ly/Vkz750FGk0b
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You are a very good teacher…thank you!
After struggling for hours trying to make my 2nd Argentium ring, I revisited this video and it made my life so much easier. I was done in less than 5 minutes (excluding time for cleaning and polishing)! 👍 I cannot thank you enough! I think I can move forward with making jump rings now. Thanks!
Thank You! This is a great video and exactly what i needed to see. I didn't realize argentium doesn't firescale i was about to slop paste all over my work. Lol you helped me avoid a living nightmare. I Love the video! Thank you again!
Phenomenal video - I now feel very confident in switching to using more Argentium silver in my work 😊
The lady in this video was excellent! Full of information and to the point.
I do not work with Argentium yet but she answered lots of questions I had including the different soldering blocks and different flux. I am unhappy with my flux and will try the my-t-flux.
Would love more product videos making side-by-side comparisons. Thanks!
This is the best video I've ever seen. It is clear, moving at an understandable rate, and articulated out-of-this-world well. Thank you. I watched it several times. Extremely helpful.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you....for showing videos on working with Argentium Sterling Silver.
I totally LOVE ARGENTIUM but there are a million videos on working with standard sterling and a handful of videos on working with Argentium Sterling.....so please, keep em coming!!! Possible videos on granulation, or on anticlastic raising, etc.
Thanks again, Carol M
Great info, very informative. And I particularly appreciate her opinions on what she recommends and uses. There is so much trial and error in metal work, this was great!
Well hey there yourself, Mark, It was great to meet you at the SNAG Conference in Toronto.
This is great. Thanks.... but I'd love to see some more advanced techniques using Argentium too. Keep em coming!!! Thanks for listening.
I'd love to see the more videos specifically on using Argentium Sterling.
There are millions of videos and books on Regular Argentium but no books [to my knowledge] and only a very few videos by Ronda Coryell [which I have].
More, More, More!!!
Excellent video, very clear explanation and i liked how you show all different types of solder...Thank you
THANK YOU, VERY MUCH, FOR THIS INCREDIBLE WELL EXPLAINED TUTORIAL!!!! IMHO: "ARGENTIUM" LOOKS TO BE THE MOST AWESOME MATERIAL!!!! I'LL HAVE TO START USING IT SOON!!!
I found this really helpful! Many thanks for this terrific presentation!
Sub. I've been working with sterling for years and I want to try Argentium Silver for making bezels for cabs. Your demo gives me the confidence to give it a try. TYVM.
This was really good info! I haven't ever worked with Sterling or Argentium wire. Nor have I ever soldered... yet! I'm still trying to find out which hardness I need and if either can be compared to dead soft Copper wire or silver plated German wire. It seems logical to me the Argentium will be the easiest to work with because it does fuse to itself without solder and there's less cleanup. I will refer back to this once I have my supplies. Thanks!
Thank you! Lots of information! Will be making rings much more confidently this summer!
Thank you very much. Very detailed and accurate presentation.
This is so well-done. After a few not very successful attempts in college I have been intimidated to work with fire for 15 years and it is really holding me back in my jewelry making. You have been so thorough in this video that for the first time I feel that I could actually pick up a torch. Thank you so much for all these tips! I think I know what's going on my Christmas list!
Also, !!!!! at the homemade pickle recipe - the use of all the dangerous chemicals is another reason I had just given up on working with heat and metal. I'm so glad there is a safer alternative.
saeriellyn Hi saeriellyn, Thanks for watching, I’ll let Ronda know how much you appreciate her video and how much helps it’s been. She loves to hear that.
Mark N Tech
A very clear and informative video . . . I've been making notes :-) Thank you.
Wow! This is a very informative video!!! Thanks!!!
Thank you so much. What a great video!
This video was so helpful! THANK YOU!
Hi Ronda! I love your videos, they are so very informative!! I have devoted my jewelry making to Argentium and ordering from Rio because of your videos, and I thank you for that also!! However, I have a 6 x 1.5in Argentium cuff that I hammered, stamped and applied LOS to it to blacking the stamped areas. Then I polished all the LOS off to make it all shinny again. But now it seems to keep tarnishing very quickly. Did I do something wrong? I haven't put it under any heat/torch or anything, I also didn't put it I the oven on 212F for 2 hours either....should I have don't that BEFORE I applied the LOS? Should I not use LOS at all and Maybe use the black liquid provided by the Stamping companies to blacken the inside of the stamps instead? Did the LOS kill the Germanium in the Argentium? Just wondering what happened. I made a ring by fusing. Polished and hardened at 212F and it is still as shinny as the wire was off the roll. Oh My Gosh, I just love this Argentium. Thanks for your help!! Sincerely, Sara
im new here and
I LOOOOVE YOU!!!!
Good, informative video. One minor note: not necessary to hit the piece with the ."Sterling" stamp so hard--that could transfer to the other side, displace a lot of metal, or cause other problems.
Trying to take all of his advice in , many thanks! I am still struggling with soldering a bail onto a 2.5cm solid piece of argentium. Wasn’t aware of different solder and flux does this mean that standard silver solder and flux are the problem!?
Wow! lots of information! Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, very interesting
Hello, thank you for watching! We appreciate the support!
And you don't need flux for fusing Argentium
Great video. Thanks.
This is a great video, but how is it safe to pour the pickle (no matter how the acid is made) down the drain? It’s full of heavy metal which is terrible for our drinking water and wildlife. Neutralizing with baking soda doesn’t remove the heavy metal in spent pickle.
How do you stamp an item you make from wire (wire wrap jewelry, for example)?
Well hey there Carol, we have some more soldering videos in the works and we have a few Argentium fusing videos already . Do you have anything specific that you would like to see us using Argentium for?
Mark N Tech
Wow...!!! Excellent video....I was wondering...do u have to use argentium solder or can use reg sterling solder...keep theses argentium videos coming...I'd like to see some projects...being in Canada we are lacking any types of live classes...I rely on online videos to learn everything...and of course Rios are always top notch...oh and what size tip for your torch??? Thanks :)
I bought medium argentium solder and cannot get it to flow. Even heating it alone, it never does anything.
I don't see the Unicorn stamp available at Rio
I wonder how much ounces of Argentium 960 would need to be use to make a signet extra large 17mm face wide shoulders man ring...?? Anyone could give me a guess ? I know the Argentium 960 cost $45 the ounce.
Thanks,. Not too much, not to little information. Just right.
I'm reminded of 3rd grade science projects. Mine was an erupting volcano, which used orange food coloring in vinegar, and baking soda to execute the eruption of the "lava".
Hmm, funny gal here. lol
It seems that argentium is more forgiving then sterling or fine silver? What application is more suitable for the 3 types of silver? Also if i may, if i have fine silver which additive do you recommend and ratio to tern it in to argentium and which one for the sterling? Thank you. I appreciate your time and help.
Argentium works very much like sterling silver; however, in it’s dead soft state, it is a bit softer. In its hardened state, it is a bit harder. Argentium is 93.5%fine silver, approximately 1.5% germanium and 5% copper. For sterling it is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.
Great video Rhonda! I see you're using a smith little torch - what fuel do you use propane or acetylene? Also what tip are you using in the video. I have oxy/acetylene torch and I'm have trouble figuring out what a neutral flame looks like. Is that the flame you're using in the video ?
I wish she answered the fuel question! I'm starting out and would love to know too!
Will it heat well with a durston blow torch? I'm not yet ready to work with a propane torch. I'm currently using a butane durston torch.
Hi Jessica. It depends on how big and how thick the pieces are. But generally speaking, yes, Argentium does great with a butane torch.
Thanks for the very informative video. The only thing I'm sort of confused about is how they say you don't need to protect the Argentium like with regular sterling silver. I was trying to solder jump rings on my friend's bracelet (everything was Argentium) and it turned yellowish-black and brittle.
Hi jesusclone1985, sounds like you might have overheated it a little. But yeah normally you don't have to coat it to protect from firescale, which is why i switched to it along time ago. We have some great info on our website at www.riogrande.com/Search/argetnium or give our tech team a call if you have specific questions.
Mark N Tech
Mnni mm mm nfghrplftl
GREAT Demo.. Thank you very much.
i have a question.
can i Patina Argentium with Liver of Sulfur ???
Hey, Bently GT! You can use Liver of sulphur, but you need to be patient and give it more time, you could mix it a little stronger (add a little more to the water).
After all, this is the reason we like Argentium because it resists tarnish, so it will be harder than regular silver. Check out this PDF for more details :) www.riogrande.com/Content/Working-with-Argentium-Silver-Tips-Procedures-IS-pdf
Awesome.
thanks so much for your feedback.
You're very welcome!
My silver kept breaking off like it was made of clay, sooooo weird. I was just trying to attach a band to a bezel
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR SAFETY FROM THE FUMES AND ODOR OF THE ARGENTIUM?
Great question, Deb! For recommendations on safety equipment, we recommend consulting the Safety Data Sheet for the product you will be using which contains relevant safety recommendations for using that product. You can also contact OSHA or NIOSH with specific recommendations for respiratory protection, eye protection, skin protection, etc.
I'm working with Argentium silver right now and am getting firescale. I was told you cannot pickle argentium because it's hazardous. However, i will try a natural pickle. Looking for advice as to why I'm getting firescale on my argentium?
+Kelsey k..you can pickle Argetnium, it's no different than pickling regular sterling silver. You can use any pickle you like. Ronda loves using the vinager/ salt mix. I think after pickling you'll find the stuff that looks like firescale will disappear. I hope this helps, thanks for watching.Mark N Tech
+RioTechs awesome! I tested a vinegar and salt pickle after finishing this video, worked great! thanks for your reply.
+Kelsey k Hey, so I'm not an expert or anything yet but I do work only with Argentium silver so I have a bit of experience and may have some insight for anyone else with similar questions . Unfortunatly, even though the germanium in argentium does highly protect it from fire scale and tarnishing, because it is still an alloy like traditional Sterling, fire scale is still possible if it manages to oxidize the copper that's in it and the germanium is not prominent in that particular spot. Ways to help prevent it are much better in my opinion than having to use pickle and sanding etc. to remove the fire scale. I personally use a powder boric acid flux and just mix with water (50/50) and dip my pieces in it and let air dry for a couple minutes until I can see the powder coating the surface. it has cut down my fire scale dramatically, however I still occasionally get some spots as it's still a powder and sometimes misses spots :(. so thank you so much, going to try the homemade pickle today. I do have a question about it though, would I still need copper tweezers to remove my items from the homemade pickle solution? I know you need for chemical pickles but would regular stainless steel tweezers suffice with this pickle? thank you in advance. Oh and another tip I noticed makes a difference, always clean your fire brick (charcoal block, solderite pad, etc.) between uses with different metals, or use designated block for each type of metal. mainly make sure yoyr argentium gets it own block or you sand off any residue left by sterling's or coppers etc. it will increase your fire scale on your argentium because of the oxides on the brick. trust me, keep all yoyr tools separate if your seeing fire scale. generally if you do it all right, you shouldn't have much fire scale but even when I do all these things I still get some firescale, so it's not that your making any mistakes :) sorry for the long comment and if it was repetitive or not interesting hahahaaha. just love to teach and LOVE ARGENTIUM. I try to only use argentium for my business. beautiful metal!
I believe you will still need to use your copper tongs/tweezers!
Kelsey k ok shucks I read somewhere you can use plastic?
The flying unicorn is called an "alocorn". :)
hi when i fusing my jump rings it s change colour,how can i make it shining ??
Hi, Eric! Thanks for reaching out. There are a variety of methods you can use for polishing your jewelry after soldering. Are you familiar with our Sunshine cloths? If not, here's a quick video to introduce you to how they work. ua-cam.com/video/YZqBs3YwiXU/v-deo.html
Here is another great video with our resident jeweler Mark Nelson explaining other methods for buffing and polishing. You can find all the products and tools he's using on our site at www.riogrande.com
www.riogrande.com/Content/finishing-techniques-VID-psd
Check them out and let us know if you have any other questions! :)
I wonder when you would fuse vs when you would use solder?
Hi Jaykay415. It’s really a personal choice, one often influenced by the design of your piece. Sometimes I fuse the entire project sometimes 80% and sometimes only 10%. What I have noticed is that the bigger the pieces is the harder it can be to fuse on the last few smaller pieces, so that’s a time when I would solder. For instance if I am making an earring, I may fuse the earring together but solder the earring post/ear wire on as the last step.
I hope this is of some help. Thank for watching.
Mark N Tech
RioTechs thank you, that makes sense.
How do you know when to fuse and when to use flux and solder?
Thank you for the question. Here is the response from our tech team: One factor is size the pieces you are connecting. Small objects will heat much faster than larger ones, so if you’re attaching a small piece to a big piece, the small piece is at risk of overheating and melting unless careful heat control is used. This would be an example of a situation where using solder would make the process easier as opposed to fusing. Another situation would be where you have small items already attached that would be at risk of falling off during subsequent fusings. Using solder in this situation would ensure the previously fused smaller items would not fall off.
@@RioGrande1944 That makes sense! Thank you.