Need help from experienced welders/metalsmiths

[Badgemash]

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

[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.

[BrandiR]

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.

[Badgemash]

Thank you!

[BrandiR]

Thank you!

Don't get too excited, he hasn't responded. I'll call him Tuesday.

[Badgemash]

Don't get too excited, he hasn't responded. I'll call him Tuesday.

Hey it's the best lead I have so far . 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.