Electric soldering machine

Hello, all. I’m considering purchasing an electric soldering
machine–am hoping for some Orchid input to tip the scale one way or
another. How does such a machine handle heat-dispersion between
dramatically different densities? What I mean: in the past I’ve had
problems soldering very fine wire to more solid cast
components–couldn’t build up enough heat in the solid part to draw
the solder down; it balled up and jumped up the very hot wires–or,
worse, the wires and/or other finer parts of the piece melted. Would
an electric soldering machine get around this problem? Could I use
it to attach very fine components to larger more solid one(s)?
[Pssst–Sandra, my insect-friend, this will prob. interest you,
too…] I’d be very grateful for any testimonials/guidance. Thanks!

Andy

Andy:

I’ve been using the tack welder that you speak of. I’m not sure
you’ll be 100% successful immediately but, with some practice, it
will work. The laser welder definitely will work, but you know the
price. What about a Sparky?

When I have a piece like this, especially when the heavy section is
silver and conducts heat, I warm the piece in a kiln first, almost to
soldering temperature. I can then go in and quickly attach my small
wires with a mini torch.

Good luck,
Doug Zaruba

I have been using an electric soldering machine for 25 years and have
found it invaluable but to solder that fine wire the way you are
talking about, the wire will need to be platinum. What I would use
the soldering machine for in the situation you are talking about
would be to tack the wire to the casting so I could solder it on with
the torch.

To convert the machine from soldering to tacking you need to make a
set of copper tweezers with a cylindrical base so that you can slide
out the carbon and slide in the tweezers. I would hold the casting
in the clamp end and the wire in the tweezers with at setting (for a
fine wire) as low as it will go. Touch the wire to the casting and
tap the pedal. If the wire isn’t exactly where you want it, take it
off and try it again. It takes practice. When I’m re-pronging a
diamond ring, I tack all the prongs on first and then solder them
with the torch. This also works great with platinum and not at all
with silver.

The soldering machine excels at chain and jump ring soldering. With
a sharp and clean carbon tip I solder individual links on the finest
chain (on a fine chain you don’t need solder, just flux and melt the
ends together). You won’t find the place I solder the chain with
this method. But it does take practice and patience.

Joe, who works with Dave

For anyone who is interested. Lacy & Co. in Toronto has two Sparkie
Midget Fusion Welders on special. Includes collets and fusion
findings. 50% off. Regular price $795 Canadian. They ship to world
wide. Karen
Disclaimer: who knows this because she works there part time :slight_smile:

Hi all,

I have a question. What is the electric soldering machine? I never
looked it in Japan.

I searched about it in the orchid archives, and I’m imaging that it
has two terminal arms connected with the body by wires. One terminal
is made by some metal that doesn’t have electric resistance, and the
other is made by carbon with resistance. When the two terminals are
attached to metal, current heats the carbon terminal and the heat
melts the solder.

Is my image right? If it’s incorrect, would you tell me what is the
electric soldering machine and how it works.

If my image is correct, I have another question. The solder flows to
the hotter place, so the geometry of the solder and the carbon
terminal must be carefully decided. How do you arrange?

Thank you,

Takashi Tomoeda
@Takashi_Tomoeda

    Is my image right? If it's incorrect, would you tell me what is
the electric soldering machine and how it works. 

You’re exactly right. The soldering machine can be used to solder
links, size rings etc. You can adjust the amount of heat which is the
tricky part and takes awhile to figure out. You can clamp anywhere on
the piece and place the carbon near where you want to solder. It
helps if you can stick your solder in the gap because you are using
both hands so you can’t place the solder as you’re heating.
Personally I think The Little Torch is a much more versatile tool.
Also they don’t generate that much heat for large pieces, although we
used to size heavy school rings with one but it was pretty scary!