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  • 09-30-2013, 03:47 PM
    Badgemash
    Need help from experienced welders/metalsmiths
    I know this is a long shot, but I figure it's worth a try.

    I've been asked to attempt a rather odd project (I'm an aspiring bench jeweler) that would require soldering (I think the non-jewelers call it brazing) a stainless steel nuts to sheet silver, the two parts could then screw together and be adjustable. I could in theory use brass screws and nuts, but I want to keep everything the same-ish color. I have no experience in working with stainless, nor does anyone in my studio. I have the impression that people do use silver solder to join stainless parts together (so should work for joining stainless to silver as well?), but I also have the impression that they're using a different kind of solder and that heating up stainless can damage it? I read something somewhere that stainless can be heated if annealed at 1,900 F and then quenched, would that help? Should I use a ferrous-specific flux? I do not have access to TIG, but I usually solder on charcoal bricks to reflect heat/have more of a reducing atmosphere.

    Here's what I intend to use.

    20-18 ga. .925 sterling or argentium silver (might be better since it doesn't oxidize?)
    SS micro screws and nuts, probably these http://www.microfasteners.com/hns017...stainless.html
    One of these hard silver solders (all cadmium free)
    - Easy, flows at 1,325 F, 65% silver
    - Meduim, flows at 1,360 F, 70% silver
    - Hard, flows at 1,450 F, 75% silver
    Acetylene/Air torch
    Boric Acid + Denatured alcohol (for removing trace surface oils pre-solder)
    Some kind of flux
  • 10-01-2013, 04:47 AM
    Neal
    I wish I could help you but in all honesty the best thing would be to call a machine shop or a place that does welding. I'm not saying you but I've seen other people unfamiliar with metals and welding attempt to do stuff with bad endings.
  • 10-02-2013, 12:26 PM
    BrandiR
    Re: Need help from experienced welders/metalsmiths
    I copied your post and emailed it to a jeweler I know. I work at a jewelry store and this is the guy we send things to that we don't work with, like stainless :)
    He's a really busy guy, so I don't know how long it will take him to get back to me, but I'll let you know what he says.
  • 10-06-2013, 12:06 PM
    Badgemash
    Thank you!
  • 10-06-2013, 04:10 PM
    BrandiR
    Re: Need help from experienced welders/metalsmiths
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Badgemash View Post
    Thank you!

    Don't get too excited, he hasn't responded. I'll call him Tuesday.
  • 10-06-2013, 04:19 PM
    Badgemash
    Re: Need help from experienced welders/metalsmiths
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by BrandiR View Post
    Don't get too excited, he hasn't responded. I'll call him Tuesday.

    Hey it's the best lead I have so far :D. I just don't want to start experimenting and wasting metal, since it's for a friend I wouldn't feel right about passing on the cost of failed experiments.
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