Different kinds of fluxes

Jewelry Discussion
1

I see messages about paste flux, and liquid flux, and homemade flux
etc. Can someone explain these to me as well as the advantages and
disadvantages, please? I’m struggling with soldering chain and
thought that a clear flux would be easier to see the joint. thank
you, brenda

2 
I see messages about paste flux, and liquid flux, and homemade
flux etc. Can someone explain these to me as well as the advantages
and disadvantages, please

I self taught myself with paste flux, and it is all I have ever used.
Paste flux when heated turns white, and then clear. When it is clear,
put the solder where you want it while keeping it warm with the
torch, and it usually stays where you want it, if it moves you can
move it with a solder pick, and the flux acts as a glue to hold it in
place. When all the solder is in place then heat the piece to solder
temp. Just after it turns clear, if the temp is hot enough, the
solder flows. That it turns clear is a great indicator of when to pay
focused attention so you do not over heat. If the solder does not
flow quickly after the flux is clear, you do not have enough heat.

I have taught this to many people and everyone has had success.

My suggestion is to try different methods over time to find out
which way works best for you.

Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.

3

It would take too long to detail all the various fluxes available
and their use, however google for Johnson Matthey metal joining Read
everything in all the links youll get to all the different brazing
alloys available with the fluxes to go with them. Thats the
background. Then study the section on jewellery, or hall marking
grades with the fluxes to use. As for soldering chain, look up
Argotect, this covers the whole link,prevents oxidation, acts as a
flux and dissolves in boiling water. Use tiny placements as small as
possible of brazing foil in between the cut ends of the link., flux
then heat. Simple really.

4

Hi Brenda

I see messages about paste flux, and liquid flux, and homemade
flux etc. Can someone explain these to me as well as the advantages
and disadvantages, please? I'm struggling with soldering chain and
thought that a clear flux would be easier to see the joint.

For soldering chain links you might consider using paste solder. It
has the flux already mixed in it.

It’s usually sold in syringes & it’s very easy to apply the correct
amount of solder where you want it. Also it doesn’t obstruct the view
of the joint.

Paste solder is available in easy, medium & hard.

Dave

5

Brenda- It depends on what metal you are making your chains out of.
I’ve made chains out of platinum, gold and silver. Platinum needs no
flux at all. If it’s gold I usually only use boric acid powder
suspended in denatured alcohol. If it’s silver then I use a bit of
diluted paste flux. Liquid gold soldering flux just doesn’t do the
trick with silver.

Have fun and make lots of jewelry.
Jo Haemer
www.timothywgreen.com