I realize this comes a little late to help with Sharon’s solder
problem, but here’s a technique that works well in the
electronics industry. I realize the solder used there is much,
much softer, but the principles that make it work don’t vary.
There’s a product available at electronic stores called ‘solder
wick’. It’s a fine copper wire that’s braided.
To use it in the electronics industry, it’s placed over the area
to be desoldered. Then the soldering iron is placed on top of the
solder wick, pressing it into the solder. When the solder flows,
it’s absorbed into the wick & the wick is removed before the
solder hardens.
I’ve not used it on silver solder, but it should work. The
solder wick might have to be fluxed before use. Solder wick is
sold in small spools containing about 10 yards of wick. It’s not
very expensive, as I recall.
If anyone tries this before I get a chance to, let us know how
it worked.
Dave