In jewelry making, brazing is a process of joining two pieces of metal by adding a metal called "solder". It takes time and practice to master this technique.
Jewelry brazing can be done in different forms: plate, wire or paste.
In this video, we will show you how to use paste solder. Paste solder has the advantage of containing a pickling flux, so it is not necessary to add borax. Below you will find explanations for both plate and paste solder.
In our video tutorial, Lucie shows you the right gestures to make small rings. All you have to do is practice!
Before you start, use a flame resistant surface like firebrick or ceramic soldering plates. Tie back your hair and equip yourself with a cotton gown and, if possible, a mask. If you don't have a fume hood where you are welding, do your welding in a well-ventilated room to avoid inhaling fumes from the welding.
The soldering ring should fit snugly, i.e. the two ends should touch perfectly.
Apply a small amount of Silver solder to the joint of the part. It is not necessary to add flux for paste solder.
If you do not have paste solder, you can use plate solder. Cut a small straw of solder 1mm x 1mm or 1mm x 2mm depending on the size of your ring. We show you how to cut small solder straws easily and quickly in a video. With a small brush, apply a small amount of flux (borax) to the area where the solder is to be made .This substance allows the braze to flow smoothly while preventing oxidation of the metal. Place your straw mat so that it is in contact with both ends of the ring.
With the jeweler's flashlight or the Dremel flashlight, heat the entire piece evenly in a circular motion, stopping a little more at the soldering point. The paste will first blister and then liquefy, at which point the flux will evaporate, so be careful not to breathe in the fumes. You will see the solder melting, you must stop heating immediately.
A little tip: place your straw mat under the ring where you need to solder, when you heat the whole, you will see the solder rising by capillary action. The solder is attracted by the heat, you can drive it with the flashlight where you want.
If you have not used enough solder, you will be left with a hollow at the soldering point. You will have to start over by adding a small straw. If you used too much, you will have a small blister that you will have to smooth out with a file and emery paper of different grits and then polish.
Dip your piece in a solution of pickling acid (with hot water added to be more effective) to strip it. Let it soak until the oxidation disappears. To dip and recover your part in the brazing solution, we recommend usingcopper tweezers.
Finally, emerge and polish your piece to give it a shiny appearance.
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