Enamel Question

Orchid Enamelers. I would like to attempt a project where I am
enameling into a etched copper piece [14g] that is soldered onto
another 14g copper piece. I will be making enameled grips for a very
small hand gun. The smaller backing piece will fit into the hollows
of the handle and the larger top piece will carry the enamel.

I would use IT solder but my concern is the silver solder between
the two copper blanks. I know that fine silver wire sitting on bare
copper will alloy itself into sterling and pool or “melt” right
through the copper in the temperatures of the kiln. I suspect this
same thing will happen with the solder, alloying itself into the 2
surfaces of the blanks. Is this a problem? I intend to create some
stabalizer pegs so the two pieces do not slide in relation to each
other.

I could make the whole grip using fine silver and forgo the hassle
but of course there would be a price difference. The price might be
worth it to avoid hassles. The grips are only about 2" x 1-1/4". I
know that fine silver is soft but the grip is supported by the
framework of the steel gun plus this gun will never be used [is
non-working and will only be on display]

Do you have any suggestions?

Orchid Rules! Karla in Sunny So. California

    Orchid Enamelers. I would like to attempt a project where I am
enameling into a etched copper piece [14g] 

Is it to be champleve?

that is soldered onto another 14g copper piece.I will be making
enameled grips for a very  small hand gun. The smaller backing
piece will fit into the hollows of the handle and the larger top
piece will carry the enamel. I would use IT solder but my concern
is the silver solder between the two copper blanks. I know that
fine silver wire sitting on bare copper will alloy itself into
sterling and pool or "melt" right through the copper in the
temperatures of the kiln. I suspect this same thing will happen
with the solder, alloying itself into the 2 surfaces of the blanks.
Is this a problem? I intend to create some stabalizer pegs so the
two pieces do not slide in relation to each other. 

Use the 72/28 eutectic alloy sold by Thompson Enamel Co as IT solder

  • use just enough to do the job - it’ll be fine !
    I could make the whole grip using fine silver and forgo the
hassle but of course there would be a price difference. The price
might be worth it to avoid hassles. The grips are only about 2" x
1-1/4". I know that fine silver is soft but the grip is supported
by the framework of the steel gun plus this gun will never be used
[is non-working and will only be on display] 

Why not have them cast in Sterling silver - I mean “Sterling”
Sterling silver here - 92.5% pure silver with 7.5% pure copper and
nothing else. The material cost is trivial c.f. your labour costs.

Al Heywood